Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The only reason I was "NO" on the double major was the specificity of getting a double major.

It doesn't seem like a thing that will get anyone hired, so why not just take the classes you want and skip the idea that it could be an additional line on your diploma?

I'm not saying Spanish is bad. Or any language! It's that you could skip those couple annoying 'do this to get the double major just take classes that are enjoyable and lock down your primary major and breathe easier.

I agree with this. Stated slightly differently, your son should take whatever Spanish classes he wants and enjoys but not stress about officially taking enough to “double major.” If that amounts to a second major, great, if not, the classes have still been enriching and who knows where they may benefit him in the future. My older kid will graduate one class short of a second major in Spanish and I advised him the same way. Beyond satisfying university distributiom requirements and his primary major requirements, I wanted him to be able to take the classes he wants and not feel like he needed to cram Spanish into all of his remaining open class slots, but to still feel free to take as much Spanish as he wants (he, too, enjoys the classes and studied for a semester in Chile).

To those who asked, upper level collegiate Spanish classes will not be language focused - they will include literature, poetry, history, politics, etc.

A double major does carry weight because a student is not dabbling in a field. Sure it’s fine to get advanced language training and stop there but I’d be more impressed if students take advanced literature and other related courses and demonstrate depth and breadth in their studies.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The only reason I was "NO" on the double major was the specificity of getting a double major.

It doesn't seem like a thing that will get anyone hired, so why not just take the classes you want and skip the idea that it could be an additional line on your diploma?

I'm not saying Spanish is bad. Or any language! It's that you could skip those couple annoying 'do this to get the double major just take classes that are enjoyable and lock down your primary major and breathe easier.

I agree with this. Stated slightly differently, your son should take whatever Spanish classes he wants and enjoys but not stress about officially taking enough to “double major.” If that amounts to a second major, great, if not, the classes have still been enriching and who knows where they may benefit him in the future. My older kid will graduate one class short of a second major in Spanish and I advised him the same way. Beyond satisfying university distributiom requirements and his primary major requirements, I wanted him to be able to take the classes he wants and not feel like he needed to cram Spanish into all of his remaining open class slots, but to still feel free to take as much Spanish as he wants (he, too, enjoys the classes and studied for a semester in Chile).

To those who asked, upper level collegiate Spanish classes will not be language focused - they will include literature, poetry, history, politics, etc.

Anonymous wrote:Why not just a minor? My kid is pre-med at an Ivy and that's what she's doing. It really doesn't add many classes. But if your kid needs the credits anyways and loves Spanish, then go for the double major!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think there much value added, unless he decides he hates the math stuff and just wants to teach Spanish. (The schools are always short on Spanish teachers!). I think kids always overestimate the value of extra majors or minors. But if he loves it, he should take the classes.

Such a narrow-minded response on many levels. First of all, a student who double majors in a math/science field and a humanities field demonstrates intellectual curiosity and breadth, along with some very useful skills. Second, having a Spanish major opens many doors locally and internatiomally beyond being a Spanish teacher (although I agree that Spanish teachers are in demand.)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Obviously majoring in Spanish creates an opportunity to engage with:

Latin America
Spain
Latin American Immigrant communities in USA.


What about Spanish interests him?

He just loves the language/culture and foreign language comes very easily to him. The classes don't feel like classes.

Then I vote yes! DCUM is awful ... I can't believe people are telling you it doesn't add value. It's adding value to his brain and his quality of life!

+1. Upper level language classes can be incredibly interesting and there are usually opportunities for extracurricular activities as well. At some schools it can also be a tight-knit community.

Not everything is about maximizing a resume. He’s already majoring in math at an Ivy. He’ll be fine. Let him do something he likes.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Obviously majoring in Spanish creates an opportunity to engage with:

Latin America
Spain
Latin American Immigrant communities in USA.


What about Spanish interests him?

He just loves the language/culture and foreign language comes very easily to him. The classes don't feel like classes.

Then I vote yes! DCUM is awful ... I can't believe people are telling you it doesn't add value. It's adding value to his brain and his quality of life!

you can only take so many classes in college. if you dont care about 18th Century Spanish literature (a class I took), then skip the Spanish double major and take something ELSE!! the Spanish double major doesn't add a lot to your marketability, although being fluent in Spanish does .. which you can indicate elsewhere. There's honestly a short amount of time you even keep your major on your resume. TAKE WHAT INTERESTS YOU!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Obviously majoring in Spanish creates an opportunity to engage with:

Latin America
Spain
Latin American Immigrant communities in USA.


What about Spanish interests him?

He just loves the language/culture and foreign language comes very easily to him. The classes don't feel like classes.

Then I vote yes! DCUM is awful ... I can't believe people are telling you it doesn't add value. It's adding value to his brain and his quality of life!

Anonymous wrote:The only reason I was "NO" on the double major was the specificity of getting a double major.

It doesn't seem like a thing that will get anyone hired, so why not just take the classes you want and skip the idea that it could be an additional line on your diploma?

I'm not saying Spanish is bad. Or any language! It's that you could skip those couple annoying 'do this to get the double major just take classes that are enjoyable and lock down your primary major and breathe easier.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DH's counselor at a just-missed-Ivy college says the only extra worth having is a minor in math or foreign language. Based on that I'd suggest OP's kid minor in Spanish and be golden.

DH's counselor is an idiot.