Dear Aska:
I’m going into my third year, and I think the time for freaking out about grad school has finally arrived, so I have a question, albeit a rather ridiculous one. I’m currently doing a double major in criminology and psychology, and intend to go to law school, much like half of UofT. However, the international relations programme has always held a lot of interest for me, to the point where I want to switch over. Initially I was going to just demote my psych to a minor. However, I want to keep it as a second option for grad school in case my plan A doesn’t work. Now, to my question. I noticed that the requirements for the Crim major are 7 courses, which when one thinks about it, is much like the requirements for a minor programme in most other disciplines which require 4 credits (meaning around 6-8 classes since most are half classes). However, one can only specialize or major in Crim, not do a minor. Would it be possible, in any way, to convince someone, somewhere with some authority at UofT, that based on this logic, I could do 3 majors, even though one is very much like a minor?
Also, in case your answer is a no, do you think it’s worth just saying to hell with it and only doing a minor in psych? I’ve come to understand that getting into any decent grad programmes without a research specialist is nearly impossible. I talked to the undergrad advisor but got a bunch of vague, neither yes nor no answers so I don’t want to base my decision on that, but at the same time I’d rather not waste my time if I can’t do anything with a psych major if it ever came to that.
Thanks for your help, your input is MUCH appreciated as I feel you’re the only source for some straight answers at UofT!
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Dear askareader,
You are crazy. Seriously. You want to complete three majors – and you are going into your third year? What are you, a billionaire? Doogie Hauser? Some kind of wealthy forever student with so much time to kill?
Since I can’t exactly go through the courses you’ve already taken on ROSI without knowing your student number, my recommendation is that you book an appointment with your college registrar, like immediately.
Doing three majors in three years equals at least 21 mandatory credits. If you’re lucky, some of these classes (like crim and psych) might overlap. But your IR major sounds incredibly difficult to finagle, ESPECIALLY SINCE YOU ARE GOING INTO YOUR THIRD YEAR.
Promise me that you will book an appointment your registrar to discuss course selection this year, tout suite. And remember my rule: there’s no need biting off more than you can chew if the steak’s fine all on its own. (Okay, that makes no sense.)
The point is, consider ace-ing the programs you’re already in before committing to an entirely new one and trying to fit in all the additional credits you might need in there. Talk to your registrar and work it out. Your plan might not be impossible, just overly ambitious and ill-conceived.
xoxo, Askastudent