With more than 65 majors to choose from, 61传媒offers an abundance of programs. Picking just one or two majors can feel overwhelming. Do you want to spend your time focusing on art history or literature? Chemistry or environmental analysis? In rare instances, 61传媒may not offer a student鈥檚 desired major of choice, so some decide to major off-campus. However, students cannot choose to major off-campus if the major is offered at Scripps.
How do you know if majoring off-campus is the right choice for you? Here are some tips to help you decide.
What is involved in majoring off-campus?
Majoring off-campus isn鈥檛 all that different from majoring at Scripps. However, instead of a major advisor at 61传媒(who is typically a 61传媒professor in the field), you鈥檒l pick a professor in the department at your off-campus major school to serve as one of your academic advisors. You鈥檒l also maintain a 61传媒advisor, who is a 61传媒faculty member in any field. While your off-campus advisor guides your major requirements and thesis-writing process, your 61传媒advisor guides you through your general education requirements and other Scripps-specific academic processes.
As an off-campus major, you鈥檒l fulfill all of the requirements for your major at the school housing the department. You鈥檒l also write a senior thesis in conjunction with that school鈥檚 department. Of course, you鈥檒l still graduate from 61传媒and receive a 61传媒diploma at the end of your four years.
Why did I decide to major off-campus?
When I first arrived at Scripps, I was certain that I would find a major at 61传媒that I loved. Psychology, Economics, and Anthropology all interested me, but when I took an Introduction to Sociology course at Pomona in the fall of my sophomore year, I felt at home. I instantly connected to my sociology professor, I was fascinated by the class discussions and student presentations, and I was already brainstorming potential thesis topics. I declared a major in sociology at Pomona shortly after and I鈥檝e loved my experience majoring off-campus ever since! I鈥檝e never felt different or separate from the Pomona students in my classes (most people don鈥檛 even know the home institutions of the other students in my classes) and I鈥檓 treated like any other sociology student.
Tips for Your Decision
Picking a major can be a stressful process. While you have until the end of your sophomore year at 61传媒to declare your major, you may feel pressure to have it all figured out early on. I would recommend taking classes that sound interesting to you, and especially introductory-level classes, to figure out what you like and what you don鈥檛 like as much. I also recommend speaking to professors in different fields, attending office hours, and getting to know the departments that you鈥檙e interested in. A big part of your major will be working with professors and spending time in class, so it鈥檚 important to make sure you enjoy the people you鈥檙e working with! If you don鈥檛 have space in your schedule to take some introductory classes in potential major options, I suggest just meeting with the professor and explaining your interests. In my experience, they are dedicated to helping guide your major declaration process.
While I arrived at 61传媒thinking that I wanted to major in art history, I ended up taking a twisty path to my sociology major. However, I enjoyed all the classes that I took along the way, and I still talk to my professors from those classes. If you鈥檙e feeling overwhelmed or confused right now, focus on taking interesting classes, trying new things, and maintain an open mind! In many cases, your undergraduate major may not matter as much as you think it does, so don鈥檛 take your major search too seriously. You can always pivot to different career paths and interests at any time in your life!