Triple Major or M.S.?

[Jack Shephard]

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Hi.

I'm currently a sophomore neuroscience and creative writing major at Tulane, and I'll be able to graduate at the end of my third year.

But I was considering two other options which would fill up a fourth year. The main reason I'd like to postpone my graduation would be… that it would make me feel more "complete."

1) I could add Digital Media Production (a film/studio art major). Though this wouldn't really help for medical school, it is something that I'd like to do, and I would be able to redistribute my other classes. I know the debates between a single major and a multi-major, and I can honestly say that I am interested in all of these. It isn't "indecisiveness," and it doesn't take away from any of my ECs (in fact, most of my ECs are related to one of the three majors and almost all of them have some service component).

2) Or I could go for a M.S. in neuroscience/biology/psychology. I'll still double major, and I could still do film projects on the side. Plus I think it winds up being a bit cheaper than the other option, but not by much.
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I know triple majoring won't really change my med school app, but would an M.S. be a significant benefit? I'd assume the research experience would be great, but it isn't "necessary."

Though I'd prefer 1 over 2, and 2 over nothing, I was wondering what else I should consider before I make a decision. To me, graduating early doesn't really have too many perks over the other options.

 

[Quadratic]

Maybe you should major in having a life with your extra time.

 

[DrYoda]

Hi.


But I was considering two other options which would fill up a fourth year. The main reason I'd like to postpone my graduation would be… that it would make me feel more "complete."

step 1: travel to exotic locale.
step 2: identify areas where hot women congregate.
step 3: ???
step 4: fun

 

[CoolWhipp]

No one cares if you are a triple major.

 

[Perrotfish]

If you want to spend a year taking film classes by all means do it. The Masters that you clearly don't want to do very little to help your medical school application and absolutely nothing to help you with residency applications or your future career. Just make sure you the film classes don't hurt your GPA.

Also I second the sentiments that you should also find some time to travel before you have to graduate.

 

[Jack Shephard]

Maybe you should major in having a life with your extra time.

What was the purpose a post like this?

If anything, my social life is well balanced. I'd probably be inviting Tulane bashing, but it does have a party school reputation. I wouldn't consider myself a part of the crowd that gives it that reputation, but there are plenty opportunities to have fun.

step 1: travel to exotic locale.
step 2: identify areas where hot women congregate.
step 3: ???
step 4: fun

I've done this already, and I'm very good at it.

No one cares if you are a triple major.

I know. Which is why I said that I know it wouldn't change my app. But instead of having this devolve into "Do whatever," I'd like feedback about the pros and cons of those options.

 

[ReptarBar]

honestly, youre making it worse on yourself by double and even triple majoring. it pretty much shows that your school is ******ed.

 

[Jack Shephard]

Pretty much every university allows students to have a double major. How would me having more than one major reflect the quality of my school?

The arguments against having a double major aren't really thought out. It really depends on the student.

 

[ReptarBar]

yea a double major is feasible but even then at most universities it would require you to take many extra units a quarter and probably even an extra year. triple major is just silly. i dont think i would take a guy that has a triple major very seriously.

im not doubting that you can do it, its just that it makes your school look kinda strange.

 

[Jack Shephard]

Schools require 120/128/similar number of credits for an undergraduate degree. Though some B.S. and other programs (engineering/architecture/B.F.A.) might require up to 80 credits, alongside pre-reqs, most majors are filled by 10 courses. 10 courses is around 30-40 units.

Therefore, it isn't difficult to have multiple majors.

 

[scattun]

yea a double major is feasible but even then at most universities it would require you to take many extra units a quarter and probably even an extra year. triple major is just silly. i dont think i would take a guy that has a triple major very seriously.

im not doubting that you can do it, its just that it makes your school look kinda strange.

I don't really understand this opinion. If you have the AP credits, so you can do it in 4 years without overloading each semester or taking summer classes, I don't see why a triple major is such a bad thing.

To the OP, the general consensus seems to be that a masters isn't really going to help you that much, so do what will make you happy and add the third major.

 

[Perrotfish]

Schools require 120/128/similar number of credits for an undergraduate degree. Though some B.S. and other programs (engineering/architecture/B.F.A.) might require up to 80 credits, alongside pre-reqs, most majors are filled by 10 courses. 10 courses is around 30-40 units.

Some schools require you to have around 40 credits in addition to what you need for your origional major in order to double major, and 40 more for each aditional major beyond that. So even if your two majors had a lot of overlap and you fulfilled the requirements for two majors with only 120 credits you still needed to find 40 credits worth of electives to take in your second major or you would never officially get it. Anyone with a double major at my school was graduating with at least 160 credits and anyone with a triple major was graduating with at least 200. Even with AP credits, a triple in 4 years would be pretty tough.

But yeah, that doesn't mean a triple major should actually hurt your app, assuming that the major doesn't hurt your GPA. The comments in this thread are definitely pretty low quality,

 

[TopSecret]

Hi.

I’m currently a sophomore neuroscience and creative writing major at Tulane, and I’ll be able to graduate at the end of my third year.

But I was considering two other options which would fill up a fourth year. The main reason I’d like to postpone my graduation would be… that it would make me feel more “complete.”

1) I could add Digital Media Production (a film/studio art major). Though this wouldn’t really help for medical school, it is something that I’d like to do, and I would be able to redistribute my other classes. I know the debates between a single major and a multi-major, and I can honestly say that I am interested in all of these. It isn’t “indecisiveness,” and it doesn’t take away from any of my ECs (in fact, most of my ECs are related to one of the three majors and almost all of them have some service component).

2) Or I could go for a M.S. in neuroscience/biology/psychology. I’ll still double major, and I could still do film projects on the side. Plus I think it winds up being a bit cheaper than the other option, but not by much.
---

I know triple majoring won’t really change my med school app, but would an M.S. be a significant benefit? I’d assume the research experience would be great, but it isn't "necessary."

Though I’d prefer 1 over 2, and 2 over nothing, I was wondering what else I should consider before I make a decision. To me, graduating early doesn’t really have too many perks over the other options.

#1 sounds good.

An MS degree isn't that helpful unless your research is published.