Double majoring at West Point

[millitaryfan]

Just curious if doing dual degrees or at least a major and a minor arrangement might be allowed at West Point? If allowed, roughly what percentage of cadets do so?

This screenshot below shows a typical WP coursework taken from Teaching and Learning the West Point Way (a very informative book, highly recommend by the way). It seems there is room to fit at least a major and a minor in to it, provided the courses are carefully selected and planned out.

I understand how rigorous the coursework may be for completing even one major at West Point. However, for my DS, the arrangement of working on a STEM major alongside with a liberal arts major or minor is important for him, not just for satisfying his interest, but also for maintaining a healthy mental balance. Kinda like if you get tired of reading a philosophy book, solving a couple of calculus problems helps a great deal. He’s grown up that way.

 

[Casey]

It’s doable. It helps if you can validate classes based on AP scores and placement exams when you start. Best advice after that would be, once assigned an academic counselor responsible for helping set up the cadet’s program of studies for over the go years, talk to that individual early to get the schedule set up as early as possible. It’ll hopefully keep the semesters more balanced and manageable. I wouldn’t say it’s a great number of cadets who do it, but it definitely exists an option.

 

[millitaryfan]

It’s doable. It helps if you can validate classes based on AP scores and placement exams when you start. Best advice after that would be, once assigned an academic counselor responsible for helping set up the cadet’s program of studies for over the go years, talk to that individual early to get the schedule set up as early as possible. It’ll hopefully keep the semesters more balanced and manageable. I wouldn’t say it’s a great number of cadets who do it, but it definitely exists an option.

Thanks Sir. Knowing that this is allowed is all we need to know. DS is comparing his top two options, West Point vs Princeton. I’m glad he already started planning his four years. He’s going to bring a lot of questions with him to his overnight visit at WP that has been scheduled.

 

[Casey]

Thanks Sir. Knowing that this is allowed is all we need to know. DS is comparing his top two options, West Point vs Princeton. I’m glad he already started planning his four years. He’s going to bring a lot of questions with him to his overnight visit at WP that has been scheduled.

Ma’am, not sir, but glad to help. It sounds like your son has a great set of choices!

 

[millitaryfan]

Ma’am, not sir, but glad to help. It sounds like your son has a great set of choices!

oops. Thanks Ma’am. Yes, very fortunately, my son has received tons of help from lots of people throughout his application process, from the USMA FFR and RC in my state, to the PMS who interviewed him, to the AFROTC and AROTC detachments at another school that hosted activities for high school seniors to see how a training day looks like, to the unmet people on this forum… all very positive influence on a growing young man.

 

[prospective2019]

I am an engineering major with a liberal arts minor. It is extremely rewarding and the overlap between the two seemingly-unrelated topics is surprising. The research opportunities are incredible. A double-major with two STEM majors will be very difficult. I would recommend the setup I have. It is already tasking in my courseload as you cannot double-count classes the same as you could with a STEM minor. It is important to save some time to do things other than academics, as well.

I won't post the major/minor combo on here since I believe I am the only one doing it and it would be personally-identifying, but feel free to shoot me a PM.

 

[millitaryfan]

I am an engineering major with a liberal arts minor. It is extremely rewarding and the overlap between the two seemingly-unrelated topics is surprising. The research opportunities are incredible. A double-major with two STEM majors will be very difficult. I would recommend the setup I have. It is already tasking in my courseload as you cannot double-count classes the same as you could with a STEM minor. It is important to save some time to do things other than academics, as well.

I won't post the major/minor combo on here since I believe I am the only one doing it and it would be personally-identifying, but feel free to shoot me a PM.

If my DS decides to matriculate at West Point, he will be the 2nd cadet doing a double major in engineering and liberal arts.

Will PM once DS has his preliminary course plan figured out and is able to ask intelligent questions. Thanks in advance!