The decision to double major is a significant academic choice to make. While it is fantastic to consider a double major, to successfully do so requires a good knowledge of what your academic passions are as well as careful planning with your advisors in both majors. Recently, I made the decision to double major in Comparative Literature and Spanish in the College of Arts and Sciences and I wanted to share my thought process with you along with some pieces of advice:

Don’t Declare a Double Major Immediately

In fact, you shouldn’t declare your first major immediately when you enter college if you don’t have to. In my first semester, I felt external pressure to have my life “in order”— knowing exactly what I would major in, what student organizations I would join, and what career I envisioned myself in. There is no rush to declare a major ASAP. When I came to Cornell, I decided to wait a semester before declaring a major in History. This worked to my advantage; as you can see above, I am not a History major (even though the department is great). While it is very feasible to switch your major once you have declared, waiting a bit can save you from some bureaucratic paperwork and meetings.

Double Major Because You Want To

I know this sounds fairly obvious but hear me out. Adding a double major will require you to take 8-10 courses in that field study (I will discuss potentially overlapping courses shortly). If you just read that number range and felt even a tad hesitant or dissuaded, I would highly reconsider a double major. You should genuinely look forward to embarking on this additional coursework.

Don’t Double Major Solely for Prospective Employment

Do employers look favorably upon double majors? It would probably depend on the employer, the position you are seeking, and what your majors were. However, what I do know for certain is that you shouldn’t pursue a double major just because it might make you more employable. While employment might be a factor that pushes you to do a double major, it shouldn’t be the only one.

Explore Available Minors and Elective Courses

Here would be a good place to explain the process of double majoring at Cornell specifically. The general rule is that you can only double major within your college, but you can minor across all colleges and schools. If someone were to double major across colleges, they would have to complete the general education requirements from both colleges, which is simply impossible to do in four years. With that being said, I think a lot of students overlook the fantastic minor options that Cornell offers. For example, if you are interested in politics, you should consider the minors in Crimes, Prisons, Education and Justice; Inequality Studies; International Relations; Law and Society; and Policy Analysis and Management. (Wow, that was a lot!) Moreover, it is totally okay to just take electives in subjects you are interested in too! Not all of your courses have to be for the purpose of a major or minor. I’ve taken classes with professors in the Feminist, Gender and Sexuality Studies (FGSS) Department not as part of my majors, and they were wonderful!

Use Your Network of Advisors

You should meet with your advising dean early in your time at Cornell regardless, but especially if you are considering a double major. They can help you map out all available options in your field of study as well as help you plan out major courses and general education requirements. For example, some double majors might have overlapping courses that can count to both majors. Along with your advising dean, you should meet with your major advisor (or the Director of Undergraduate Studies if you are undeclared) in both majors so that they can give more specific guidance on the major.

You are not Married to Your Status as a Double Major

You are allowed, even encouraged, to change your mind. The person you were when you declared a double major might not be the same person you are now. While it is great to see the goal of double majoring through, if you are lacking internal purpose and motivation, it no longer is a goal but rather an unnecessary burden you place on yourself. And it is okay if that shift happens, you just need to acknowledge it and act accordingly. Your advisor and professors in your former major will not be offended, I promise you. The same goes for dropping a minor too.

My intention is not to scare you off from considering or pursuing a double major. Nonetheless, like all decisions that will impact you over the course of four years, you should think about it carefully. Even though I only seriously considered double majoring at the end of my sophomore year, I am still able to graduate on time with thoughtful planning.