2008 Woodie Awards
Dueling with majors
Kelsey Shannon
Issue date: 1/15/03 Section: Commentary
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As a result, even a student interested in nothing by, say, sociology and math, would be best served by choosing one as a major and classes from the other. In this way, the student can take the classes he wants, unencumbered by regulations that are unlikely to produce a superior education.
Of course, many students are here for reasons other than a "superior education." Those looking for a leg up in their competition for precious law school spots may see a second major as an impressive addition to an already impressive resume. But it's not really. I suspect most people looking over college transcripts are well aware of the relative ease with which a double major can be achieved. Furthermore, enough people are graduating with double majors that they have ceased to signify an extraordinary accomplishment.
And, obviously, students seeking the path of least resistance would be idiotic to choose a double major. There are hard courses in every major. A second major just forces one to take more of these hard classes.
So double majors are not educationally valuable, do little or nothing for one's career and certainly do not make college easier. Why, then, do so many of just jump down this path to, if not destruction, at least needless headaches? For the life of me, I do not know why I did. I am not going to stop now; that would be quitting. But I do wish I had thought of at least one good reason for deciding to double major before going ahead with it. "I can do it" is not a reason; neither is "That really smart tour guide who showed us the campus had a double major and that was really impressive to me, my parents and the well-dressed woman standing next to us." Sadly, my reasons were some combination of the two preceding. Those of you trying to decide this semester should not make the same mistake.
Shannon is arts and entertainment editor and a government and economics junior.
Of course, many students are here for reasons other than a "superior education." Those looking for a leg up in their competition for precious law school spots may see a second major as an impressive addition to an already impressive resume. But it's not really. I suspect most people looking over college transcripts are well aware of the relative ease with which a double major can be achieved. Furthermore, enough people are graduating with double majors that they have ceased to signify an extraordinary accomplishment.
And, obviously, students seeking the path of least resistance would be idiotic to choose a double major. There are hard courses in every major. A second major just forces one to take more of these hard classes.
So double majors are not educationally valuable, do little or nothing for one's career and certainly do not make college easier. Why, then, do so many of just jump down this path to, if not destruction, at least needless headaches? For the life of me, I do not know why I did. I am not going to stop now; that would be quitting. But I do wish I had thought of at least one good reason for deciding to double major before going ahead with it. "I can do it" is not a reason; neither is "That really smart tour guide who showed us the campus had a double major and that was really impressive to me, my parents and the well-dressed woman standing next to us." Sadly, my reasons were some combination of the two preceding. Those of you trying to decide this semester should not make the same mistake.
Shannon is arts and entertainment editor and a government and economics junior.