Why Triple Major?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some people just have a lot of interests.

This.

Typically, one of the majors is in a foreign language that will be an asset in the student's career field.

I wouldn't say "typically"...I know very few people who major in a foreign language in college. According to recent statistics, only 1.2MM college students are enrolled in a FL course (30% drop since 2009), which is only 10% of all college students. Again, that includes all the freshmen that may have to take a FL to satisfy a requirement...this isn't the number majoring in a FL.

The %age of college students majoring in a FL has to be close to 1%.

How many students do you know who have tripled majored in college ?

I know several and all majored in a foreign language in addition to two other majors (such as IR, history, poly science, math, etc.).

Very difficult for engineering majors to do more than two majors, however.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Someone on the Northwestern thread said it was easy to triple major there.

My question is why? Do employers now want/w pect this? Or are students driving this for done reason.

To me, triple majoring seems so limiting to me. Doesn’t all that focused effort remove the opportunity to try/explore new areas or to learn just for the sake of learning?

FWIW, loved my major in college. And it served me well after I graduated. But I can say the same about most of the electives I took - across many different areas. They helped expose me to the wide world of ideas, and engaged my mind and curiosity, too. I still refer to many of those classes now, 25 years later, though I ne er officially used them “professionally.”

To me, a kid triple majoring IS "exploring new areas and learning for the sake of learning". If you are a LA major, it is not difficult to double or triple major at many universities, because the required number of courses is lower than say business or engineering. So if you actually use the open credits to focus on 1-2 other areas, you end up with multiple minors or majors.

As a Northwester alum, I can tell you it's common for kids to double major, and if "lower reqs for the majors" to triple major.
Another place this occurs is Rochester. Their Cluster curriculum (core curriculum) encourages it. You are only 2-3 courses away from a minor typically once you complete your cluster. You have many open credits to use, so use them wisely and you get 2-3 majors or at least 2-3 minors along with your major. It is about delving deeper into subjects you love.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There's really no benefit. Many schools don't let you triple major even if its possible, because why not just take classes you're interested in than try to take up classes for a major.

Umm, what if you are interested in those areas? That is why kids do it

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Someone on the Northwestern thread said it was easy to triple major there.

My question is why? Do employers now want/w pect this? Or are students driving this for done reason.

To me, triple majoring seems so limiting to me. Doesn’t all that focused effort remove the opportunity to try/explore new areas or to learn just for the sake of learning?

FWIW, loved my major in college. And it served me well after I graduated. But I can say the same about most of the electives I took - across many different areas. They helped expose me to the wide world of ideas, and engaged my mind and curiosity, too. I still refer to many of those classes now, 25 years later, though I ne er officially used them “professionally.”

I can only speak to my banking employer...but we don't care much about the number of majors (as long as you have one). Internships and other non-academic aspects are far more important.

If your majors consume so much of your time that you aren't networking with your peers or alums, then don't pursue multiple majors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A very unimpressive student at my college was a triple major. The three majors were nearly identical in requirements. The idea that he triple majored made him into a walking joke.

But there are plenty who are not like that.

I double majored. CS (from Eng School)/Engineering and Music Performance. Long before it was popular. I had nearly 6 years of courses to cram into 5 (and I took more music courses than required, so really took 6.5 years of classes in 5). And this was way before AP was popular (I had two AP courses offered at my HS) There was no overlap. There were others who did CAS and Music (that was more popular as only 5 years of courses so "easier" to complete).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A very unimpressive student at my college was a triple major. The three majors were nearly identical in requirements. The idea that he triple majored made him into a walking joke.

But there are plenty who are not like that.

I double majored. CS (from Eng School)/Engineering and Music Performance. Long before it was popular. I had nearly 6 years of courses to cram into 5 (and I took more music courses than required, so really took 6.5 years of classes in 5). And this was way before AP was popular (I had two AP courses offered at my HS) There was no overlap. There were others who did CAS and Music (that was more popular as only 5 years of courses so "easier" to complete).

Can you walk me through the logic on this? I am not paying for an extra year or two of college for my kid to double major where the majors aren't complementary. I get majoring in say Economics and French and then working for the IMF (I don't even know if the IMF wants someone like this...but I assume it helps).

Was this because you wanted to be a professional musician, but needed practical skills so you could support yourself with a day job while you pursue music?

[Anonymous]

No need to add an extra year of college if you select your courses well.

Many come in with advanced standing in a subject area or areas--especially with respect to foreign languages--and can complete a second or third major within the usual four academic years.

At some universities, it is common to double major in accounting & finance; add in a language and you have a triple major.

Depending upon the subject areas studied and the position sought, many employers do care about an applicant's second and/or third major.

[Anonymous]

Better to excel at one major than be mediocre at three.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A very unimpressive student at my college was a triple major. The three majors were nearly identical in requirements. The idea that he triple majored made him into a walking joke.

But there are plenty who are not like that.

I double majored. CS (from Eng School)/Engineering and Music Performance. Long before it was popular. I had nearly 6 years of courses to cram into 5 (and I took more music courses than required, so really took 6.5 years of classes in 5). And this was way before AP was popular (I had two AP courses offered at my HS) There was no overlap. There were others who did CAS and Music (that was more popular as only 5 years of courses so "easier" to complete).

Can you walk me through the logic on this? I am not paying for an extra year or two of college for my kid to double major where the majors aren't complementary. I get majoring in say Economics and French and then working for the IMF (I don't even know if the IMF wants someone like this...but I assume it helps).

Was this because you wanted to be a professional musician, but needed practical skills so you could support yourself with a day job while you pursue music?

I grew up LMC/poor. I had goals of becoming a professional musician and had the skills to support that. For example: I was in the top 3-4 players for my instrument every quarter at Northwestern (of the 5 years), including my freshman year. I spent my last 3 years competing for the top spot (I was always 1 or 2) with another cohort. That cohort is now an assistant "instrument X" in one of the top 10 orchestras in the US (and has been for 20+years).

However, I was smart enough to know I needed a backup plan. I was also top of my class, graduated NU with a 3.9+ (despite all of the overloading each quarter in engineering/CS). So I was a top STEM student with a drive to succeed. My parents told me "whatever you major in, you are on your own once you finish college. We highly encourage you to spend the 5th year and get a double degree so you can easily support yourself with something you love if music doesn't work out"

I got internships in STEM after 2nd year which led to an amazing full time job offer on graduation, with grad school fully funded. So I went the STEM route because having grown up poor, I wanted to enjoy life and not struggle to pay the bills. I followed music as a passion on the side, taught private lessons, played in local group and subbed in paid positions until I had kids. Also taught music some once kids were in school.

[Anonymous]

If program isn't rigorous, student is willing to let go of a life outside books and want to impress people, triple major makes enough sense. Its not that different from people trying to finish college at 14. Most have tiger parents pulling strings behind the scenes.

[Anonymous]

At some colleges requirements overlap so much that with couple of extra courses you get triple major designation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There's really no benefit. Many schools don't let you triple major even if its possible, because why not just take classes you're interested in than try to take up classes for a major.

Umm, what if you are interested in those areas? That is why kids do it

If you're interested in those areas, you don't have to do 3 majors in them. I think students triple major just for the look of it and to appeal to others. Many double majors and even single major students take expansive coursework that they're actually interested in.

[Anonymous]

Hubris. There's really no need for it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There's really no benefit. Many schools don't let you triple major even if its possible, because why not just take classes you're interested in than try to take up classes for a major.

Umm, what if you are interested in those areas? That is why kids do it

If you're interested in those areas, you don't have to do 3 majors in them. I think students triple major just for the look of it and to appeal to others. Many double majors and even single major students take expansive coursework that they're actually interested in.

This is so peak DCUM. Why do you care whether or why people triple major? Why are you assuming motives? Good lord. You don’t have to have an opinion on everything. Let people live.

[Anonymous]

My DS did a double major - one in his area of interest (in which he already has a job) and one was a foreign language - just for the knowledge and because he was interested and figured if he was taking the classes anyway, might as well take the ones that fit into the major requirements.