Double Majors

rubio1996

5-Year Member
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Jun 27, 2011
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Are double majors at the U.S. Naval Academy possible? If so, do they have to be related fields? Is it possible to double major in two completely unrelated fields, such as Aerospace Engineering and English or Economics, for example?
 
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I believe it is possible to double major in related fields such as Physics and Math, I know a rising 1/c MIDN who majoring in both Systems and Electrical Engineering. As for unrelated majors I am not sure but I am guessing it would pretty tough without validating a lot of class and even then your schedule might be filled with 6 N days and sleepless nights.
 
It's possible, but it's freaking hard. It's easiest in things that are related (like the example jtoye gave) or with computer science and electrical engineering, which is fairly common, relatively speaking. I know a couple guys in my class who are double majoring in honors history and another group three. They're scary smart.

One of the difficulties in majoring across "groups" (humanities majors like history and English are group three, science and technology majors are group two, engineering majors are group one) is that they each have different requirements. For example, group three majors need four semesters of a language and at least two humanities electives outside of their major, engineers all need to take statics and dynamics, etc.
While you might only be taking as few as one or two majors classes a semester, you're also taking classes required by your group and core requirements. It's possible to move up in difficulty for general requirements, such as taking differential equations rather than probability, but not to move down.
So in order for it to work, you would have to validate a lot of classes and probably then overload. Even then, it'd be difficult.
 
Whoa. That's exactly a thing I was wondering. Exact same majors, too - creepy. Good to know it's possible. I love English and Economics dearly, but Aerospace Engineering is probably more useful (and I'm sure would be very interesting).
 
Whoa. That's exactly a thing I was wondering. Exact same majors, too - creepy. Good to know it's possible. I love English and Economics dearly, but Aerospace Engineering is probably more useful (and I'm sure would be very interesting).

Choose what you love. If you really want to study English or Econ, then major in English or Econ. Don't let the STEM Mafia get to you.
 
The thing is that if I do get accepted to the U.S. Naval Academy, I would want to become a Naval Aviator. As much as I love English and Economics, I would think that Aerospace Engineering would be much more useful for my career goals.
 
Rubio - career choice and path is not dependent on major. Everyone who graduates from USNA earns a Bachelor of Science - even the "bull" majors like English and economics. You will take a staggering number of courses in math and engineering even if you major in econ. Choose a major you can intellectually and mentally sustain for four years and beyond.
 
The thing is that if I do get accepted to the U.S. Naval Academy, I would want to become a Naval Aviator. As much as I love English and Economics, I would think that Aerospace Engineering would be much more useful for my career goals.
This is just getting weird. Please tell me you're not from West Texas and a Candidate for the Class of 2016.

Personally, I like engineering. Just not particularly big on math... Which, to be fair, constitutes some economics... Go with what you love. Can always try a double-major (I know I want to), and if it gets too rough, drop the one that's really bringing you down. I'm sure the staff at the Academy would be willing to help.
 
This is just getting weird. Please tell me you're not from West Texas and a Candidate for the Class of 2016.

Personally, I like engineering. Just not particularly big on math... Which, to be fair, constitutes some economics... Go with what you love. Can always try a double-major (I know I want to), and if it gets too rough, drop the one that's really bringing you down. I'm sure the staff at the Academy would be willing to help.
Haha no. I'm going to be an applicant for the Class of 2018 and I'm from central New Jersey. Hopefully, I'll see you in the fleet one day, with both of us as Naval Aviators. Good luck.
 
Good luck to you too. You're getting a much better start than I did, from the looks of things. Doubt you'll need too much luck.
 
Guys, keep things in perspective, these are very tough schools with tons of competition - just to get an appointment. At this point in time your focus needs to be on doing what is necessary to make you the very best candidate you can be. First things first and best wishes to both of you.
 
Back to the original question: yes it's possible. I know at least one Youngster who is double majoring in Physics and English. Of course like Hurricane said, validating many of the basic level classes in both curriculums really helps. :thumb:
 
If the referred Youngster has just completed Plebe Year, I would state that he/she "intends" to double major, not "is". By far, the difficulty is yet to come.
 
To pile on, yes, it's possible. It will become clear to you whether this is feasible for you after you get your academic feet wet. You'll take a lot of tests, get assigned to various sections, work with your academic adviser to build your course matrix, and your path and the options will become clearer.

We have two sponsor '15 daughters who validated many plebe level courses, took courses as one of the few plebes in the youngster (sophomore) class, and are double-majoring in an engineering field and language. Both of them chose voluntary summer school (and gave up leave) this summer to ease up on the academic year course load. We also have/had many sponsor mids who either gave it a try, and decided it wasn't for them, or elected to focus energies on one major and more ECAs (extra-currricular activities).

Point is, everyone's path is different. You are all A game players when you arrive, but someone gets the Bs, Cs, Ds and Fs once here. Once you figure out whether you are pack-plus, pack, or pack-minus in terms of where you stand compared to classmates, you can determine what makes sense for you. Key to success is eyes on the goal of commissioning and desired service selection, with the requisite academic and military performance record to get you there.

As pointed out by an experienced earlier poster, this is w-a-a-a-y ahead of the game, but a good question.
 
Key to success is eyes on the goal of commissioning and desired service selection, with the requisite academic and military performance record to get you there.

This is dead on. Your service selection (SS) is largely dependent on your grades. (There are other factors such as conduct, PE grade, interviews, Leatherneck-type programs, etc.) but the biggest component of your SS is your class rank and the biggest component of that is your academic record.

And, your SS is not only at least 5 yrs of your life, it affects your entire career, whether in or out of the military. You don't want to screw this up.

Thus, as Capt. MJ says, once you're at USNA consider carefully whether a double major is right for you. It isn't worth it if the result is that you're lagging at the bottom of your class b/c you tried to take on too much. However, if you can handle the academics and have the opening in your schedule to do it, it can be very rewarding.
 
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