USAFA C4C Choice of Major

John41057

5-Year Member
Joined
Oct 4, 2012
Messages
239
Hi
I would like to start a thread with input from current or past cadets. Looking at majors offered at the academy. Knowing my DS will not be an engineering major. What are the pros or cons of your major. If you had it to do over and seeing your friends major, would you have still picked yours? He is thanking economics as he is leaning toward business. Any guidance on a good major and why would be appreciated.
Regards
John
 
I am also really interested in this question also, I'm an enlisted prospect looking to get into either the Prep School/and or directly into the Academy, and I've been thinking what the benefits of each major are. I'm looking at Poly Sci/History/Behavioral Sciences/or Computer Sci (I'm a Comm troop for Air Force) with a minor in French.
 
I was a Political Science-Economics double major, so I have a little perspective on those two areas.

Economics was outstanding, and my USAFA econ major had me MORE than prepared for my graduate degree in economics. The civilian faculty was top-notch, and the econometrics and micro courses are challenging but very very strong when compared to other schools. There has been some pretty significant civilian and PhD military faculty turnover since I graduated, so I'm not sure of the condition of the department these days. It is still a great major that teaches you how to think, not just how to crunch numbers, and will prepare you well for career/grad school/life goals.

Don't fall into the line of thinking that the "management" major is a true business major. I was thoroughly unimpressed by the two courses I took in that department, and it has a reputation as being the "slacker" major for a reason.

Political Science was great as well. You can concentrate in different fields and tailor the degree moreso than many other majors. Incredibly strong civilian faculty, great opportunities for summer trips (DC, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand for me). I can definitely say that Poli Sci is an easier major than Econ.

If choosing a non-technical major then definitely go for a language minor. More travel opportunites like exchange semesters or Thanksgiving/Spring Break trips for language immersion (I went to Uruguay and Argentina my senior year, and I wasn't even in Spanish at the time).


The Poli Sci-Econ double major is rare and incredibly challenging, but it can be done. Do well and it has it's rewards- an '05 grad went to grad school for econ at the University of Texas, and I went to an econ grad program in a large private university's business school in '09. I'm not sure if there have been any since me, but I know that from '05 to '11 there had only been two cadets graduate with both majors.
 
I was mil history. It was interesting and definitely improves my writing ability. I can't say much about. Its usefulness, as an Lt pilot.

Typed on my phone.
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Hi
Thanks, this is the type of information that will help my DS and many others. He has never considered the Political Science major. I will have him review that as a possibility instead of Economics. I wonder if one major is better for the career track up the ladder than another one?
Regards
John
 
One son was a Physics major and the other Operations Research (which is sorta like applied math). The Physics major is "in recovery" but my OR guy loved his major and is still loving it.
 
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