1. The Ups and Downs of a Double Major, by Tyler Kelly
Tyler Kelly, a recent graduate and athlete at Lehigh University, is part of a minority of
undergraduate students who are dedicated to earning a double major. Pursuing a double major in
college is not for everybody because it requires extra work in comparison to a single major.
Even if the majors overlap fairly closely, each will require a significant number of separate
upper-division classes. In addition, scheduling classes for a double major can be a headache, as
some required classes for each area of study may overlap.
However, there are many benefits to a double major:
Earning a double major is proof of having a solid knowledge base in two separate areas of
academic study. Because each major is noted on the diploma, it is easier to prove expertise in
two areas than if a person simply took many elective courses in a second area.
Also, double majoring shows employers and graduate admissions staff that the student is willing
and able to put in a significant amount of extra work for the sake of developing real expertise in
two subjects.
Finally, the flexibility that a double major provides effectively doubles the areas in which a
graduate can be employed, while the academic and disciplinary rigor required to earn a double
major demonstrates a proven ability to succeed in a high-pressure academic environment, which
is attractive to graduate programs.