Why Triple Major?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Many employers value two related majors plus a foreign language.

Accounting & finance plus Spanish for one Big Four which acquired & expanded into Spanish speaking markets.

CS/econ/stats/data analysis are 4 majors which--if any combination--are favored by employers.

Creative writing/English/theater triple major for screenwriters.

Astonished by the posters who fail to understand the value of a triple majors as it creates more options for the student in the real world.

+1

Very few are just triple majoring without a plan. It's typically two majors that are related, and often have cross over requirements (CS and Data analytics or Accounting and finance or IR and history/political science) and then they add in a separate major that is helpful (think Spanish for any business major or health sciences major or IR). Very few are majoring in art history, accounting and Russian.

I think it's more accurate to say it’s a cool idea, but not necessarily helpful. Would an Accounting/Finance/Spanish major fare better than an Accounting/Spanish major with a few finance credits? Not really, but it's cool that they did all 3.

That’s not true. If 2 applicants have the same stats on Accounting and Spanish, then the applicant with such deep course work to obtain a Finance major within the same 4 years as the other applicant will stand out as more accomplished.

I guess it depends on the job, cause this certainly isn't true in the places I've worked. If you take the few Finance classes we recognize as helpful, then you're good-you don't need an entire major, just a few classes, and really we choose stronger Accounting students over mediocre Accounting/Finance all the time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A triple major makes the envious crabs drop their masks. It's fun to watch them squirm in their insecurity of being low achievers as they are not confident in their own education.

+1 It trumps the double majors. It’s rare and it was done in 4 years. Some students struggle with one major in 4 years and these special bright kids accomplished 3 majors in 4 years. This is unique and shows the advanced mindset of learning for the sake of learning for grad school or a job. It was begot on hard work and fortitude. Talk about getting the value for your money.

Does obtaining a BS and Masters in 4 years trump a triple major? It's like we need a Texas Hold'em sheet to know which hand beats which hand.

You are trying to compare apples to oranges. Bachelor degrees are not the same as Master’s degrees. You should compare the triple major applicant with a BS degree against other BS degree applicants with less than three majors. Then compare your Master’s degree applicant against other Master degree applicants.

The question was what's a better use of 4 years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Many employers value two related majors plus a foreign language.

Accounting & finance plus Spanish for one Big Four which acquired & expanded into Spanish speaking markets.

CS/econ/stats/data analysis are 4 majors which--if any combination--are favored by employers.

Creative writing/English/theater triple major for screenwriters.

Astonished by the posters who fail to understand the value of a triple majors as it creates more options for the student in the real world.

+1

Very few are just triple majoring without a plan. It's typically two majors that are related, and often have cross over requirements (CS and Data analytics or Accounting and finance or IR and history/political science) and then they add in a separate major that is helpful (think Spanish for any business major or health sciences major or IR). Very few are majoring in art history, accounting and Russian.

I think it's more accurate to say it’s a cool idea, but not necessarily helpful. Would an Accounting/Finance/Spanish major fare better than an Accounting/Spanish major with a few finance credits? Not really, but it's cool that they did all 3.

That’s not true. If 2 applicants have the same stats on Accounting and Spanish, then the applicant with such deep course work to obtain a Finance major within the same 4 years as the other applicant will stand out as more accomplished.

I don't care how accomplished you are. I care if you can do the job I'm hiring you for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Many employers value two related majors plus a foreign language.

Accounting & finance plus Spanish for one Big Four which acquired & expanded into Spanish speaking markets.

CS/econ/stats/data analysis are 4 majors which--if any combination--are favored by employers.

Creative writing/English/theater triple major for screenwriters.

Astonished by the posters who fail to understand the value of a triple majors as it creates more options for the student in the real world.

+1

Very few are just triple majoring without a plan. It's typically two majors that are related, and often have cross over requirements (CS and Data analytics or Accounting and finance or IR and history/political science) and then they add in a separate major that is helpful (think Spanish for any business major or health sciences major or IR). Very few are majoring in art history, accounting and Russian.

I think it's more accurate to say it’s a cool idea, but not necessarily helpful. Would an Accounting/Finance/Spanish major fare better than an Accounting/Spanish major with a few finance credits? Not really, but it's cool that they did all 3.

That’s not true. If 2 applicants have the same stats on Accounting and Spanish, then the applicant with such deep course work to obtain a Finance major within the same 4 years as the other applicant will stand out as more accomplished.

Do people not work in the commercial sector? That’s not how someone looking to hire thinks about a candidate.

If I want an accountant that speaks Spanish…well, I would likely hire an international student from a Spanish speaking country that studied accounting. It’s nonsensical I am hiring a US person that majored in a language over someone that is 100% fluent and understands the culture much better.

After that…I look at their internship experience and think about their ability to work well with clients. It’s really not much added benefit that someone took a couple more finance classes than the next person, when all new hires will undergo a fairly rigorous training program and be on equal footing when they start working with customers.

I place little value on multiple majors when hiring someone compared to many other factors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A triple major makes the envious crabs drop their masks. It's fun to watch them squirm in their insecurity of being low achievers as they are not confident in their own education.

+1 It trumps the double majors. It’s rare and it was done in 4 years. Some students struggle with one major in 4 years and these special bright kids accomplished 3 majors in 4 years. This is unique and shows the advanced mindset of learning for the sake of learning for grad school or a job. It was begot on hard work and fortitude. Talk about getting the value for your money.

Does obtaining a BS and Masters in 4 years trump a triple major? It's like we need a Texas Hold'em sheet to know which hand beats which hand.

You are trying to compare apples to oranges. Bachelor degrees are not the same as Master’s degrees. You should compare the triple major applicant with a BS degree against other BS degree applicants with less than three majors. Then compare your Master’s degree applicant against other Master degree applicants.

The question was what's a better use of 4 years.

It was also tongue-in-cheek. However, seems like getting an accelerated Masters in 4 years as an undergrad is a better move.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Many employers value two related majors plus a foreign language.

Accounting & finance plus Spanish for one Big Four which acquired & expanded into Spanish speaking markets.

CS/econ/stats/data analysis are 4 majors which--if any combination--are favored by employers.

Creative writing/English/theater triple major for screenwriters.

Astonished by the posters who fail to understand the value of a triple majors as it creates more options for the student in the real world.

+1

Very few are just triple majoring without a plan. It's typically two majors that are related, and often have cross over requirements (CS and Data analytics or Accounting and finance or IR and history/political science) and then they add in a separate major that is helpful (think Spanish for any business major or health sciences major or IR). Very few are majoring in art history, accounting and Russian.

I think it's more accurate to say it’s a cool idea, but not necessarily helpful. Would an Accounting/Finance/Spanish major fare better than an Accounting/Spanish major with a few finance credits? Not really, but it's cool that they did all 3.

That’s not true. If 2 applicants have the same stats on Accounting and Spanish, then the applicant with such deep course work to obtain a Finance major within the same 4 years as the other applicant will stand out as more accomplished.

I don't care how accomplished you are. I care if you can do the job I'm hiring you for.

Exactly. And can I stand to spend 8-10 hours a day with you. Personality and ability to get along with coworkers matters. A lot. As does common sense. You could quadruple major but if you are a jerk or you can’t function in an office environment, it won’t matter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Many employers value two related majors plus a foreign language.

Accounting & finance plus Spanish for one Big Four which acquired & expanded into Spanish speaking markets.

CS/econ/stats/data analysis are 4 majors which--if any combination--are favored by employers.

Creative writing/English/theater triple major for screenwriters.

Astonished by the posters who fail to understand the value of a triple majors as it creates more options for the student in the real world.

College is not trade school. It is unnecessary to even major in the area for many fields. A triple major is definitely unnecessary (and unattainable at many colleges). Stop the insanity.

[Anonymous]

It’s the natural follow up to the AP arms race. If people want to do it, they should. I don’t see it having any distinct advantage in the workplace, though, in most cases.

[Anonymous]

Triple major is a actually a major red flag that something wrong is going on.

[Anonymous]

As the parent of a recent triple major graduate, who is headed to a top ten law school next year, two thoughts. First, being a triple major does get attention. It's not an instant passport to anything, but it always seems to spark a conversation about academic interests, which is usually a big plus. But second, your child should check on whether each major has a thesis or capstone requirement. My child worked his butt off with three theses, while most classmates coasted through senior year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As the parent of a recent triple major graduate, who is headed to a top ten law school next year, two thoughts. First, being a triple major does get attention. It's not an instant passport to anything, but it always seems to spark a conversation about academic interests, which is usually a big plus. But second, your child should check on whether each major has a thesis or capstone requirement. My child worked his butt off with three theses, while most classmates coasted through senior year.

But that does not make your child better…or even normal TBH.

I am sure that most kids in your kid’s “top ten” law school did not triple, or even double major. It is not necessary is the point. And it is suspect in the eyes of some (ie “what are they trying to prove? Did they have any life outside of school”, etc).

Many of you are desperately trying to dissuade us from our perspective…but we disagree with you. Sorry for all of those (potentially) wasted hours and/or tuition dollars.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As the parent of a recent triple major graduate, who is headed to a top ten law school next year, two thoughts. First, being a triple major does get attention. It's not an instant passport to anything, but it always seems to spark a conversation about academic interests, which is usually a big plus. But second, your child should check on whether each major has a thesis or capstone requirement. My child worked his butt off with three theses, while most classmates coasted through senior year.

But that does not make your child better…or even normal TBH.

I am sure that most kids in your kid’s “top ten” law school did not triple, or even double major. It is not necessary is the point. And it is suspect in the eyes of some (ie “what are they trying to prove? Did they have any life outside of school”, etc).

Many of you are desperately trying to dissuade us from our perspective…but we disagree with you. Sorry for all of those (potentially) wasted hours and/or tuition dollars.

Jeez. What's your problem? To each their own. By child wanted to do it and could make it work. He doesn't view himself as better or worse than anyone else. Do what you want!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As the parent of a recent triple major graduate, who is headed to a top ten law school next year, two thoughts. First, being a triple major does get attention. It's not an instant passport to anything, but it always seems to spark a conversation about academic interests, which is usually a big plus. But second, your child should check on whether each major has a thesis or capstone requirement. My child worked his butt off with three theses, while most classmates coasted through senior year.

But that does not make your child better…or even normal TBH.

I am sure that most kids in your kid’s “top ten” law school did not triple, or even double major. It is not necessary is the point. And it is suspect in the eyes of some (ie “what are they trying to prove? Did they have any life outside of school”, etc).

Many of you are desperately trying to dissuade us from our perspective…but we disagree with you. Sorry for all of those (potentially) wasted hours and/or tuition dollars.

NP. Hours of learning aren’t wasted hours. An education is something that you retain for life. The tuition is the same at some schools whether you take one class or six. So, one could argue that the students only taking one major or two are not receiving the highest value for their money. The triple major did. It happens so seldom that it really stands out as an extraordinary achievement on graduate applications. A combined softer major with a harder STEM and a math major or Econ major certainly sets one apart from someone with only one major. It shows dedication and grit if this was accomplished in four years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Triple major is a actually a major red flag that something wrong is going on.

This is complete rubbish! Quite the opposite.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s the natural follow up to the AP arms race. If people want to do it, they should. I don’t see it having any distinct advantage in the workplace, though, in most cases.

It can have an advantage with landing that first job. It’s special. It’s rare. And, it definitely has an advantage for that Ph.D. application!