Major Choice

S

singaporemom

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Any one else have a Plebe agonizing about choice of major?

DS is conflicted. He has validated a lot of courses and is taking a very heavy load this semester and next that will make one major quicker to obtain all the requirements. He's trying to decide if he adds another major or frees up his schedule so a future semester abroad will be easier to get approved.

Any thoughts on semester abroad?
 
Don't know about semester abroad, but I would recommend front loading as many classes as can fit into the schedule. Second major is difficult to do (there's another recent thread on this), but there are a lot of advantages to going heavy ealry. Either you free up space for something like VGEP (grad school) towards the end, study abroad (which I know nothing about), or at the very least you will just have a very easy schedule 2/c and 1/c year, which is well worth the extra work plebe, youngster year. I frontloaded and ended up with 16 credits my senior year, 4 of which had no associated class time. So 12 hours of class a week... pretty awesome.
 
I was worried about his load this first semester, but he's seems to be doing fine. He'll take a similar load next semester. I was hoping his semester abroad may be in China, since thats where we'll be living, and his language study, but he's interested in other places.

He's talking about summer school to get further ahead. Is that one of the block choices?
 
Occasionally. But it's a more common assignment for students in need of remediation. It's not something that can be pre-planned tho, and usually has to be shoe-horned around other normal summer activities. The USNA is not in the mindset of endorsing or encouraging Mids finishing ahead of schedule. However, if/when it happens, they do provide opportunities, as noted.

On the major thing ...everyone makes his/her own decision using and weighting varied variables. My own observation is those who thrive and maximize the academic experience are those who find a niche that really lights their mental fires and fits their scheme.
 
I am currently doing a semester abroad in Egypt, wit an Aero Major and an Arabic Minor, so any questions your son about doing anything like tat, just let me know! :)
 
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