Double major: Physics and Classics?

[gigabyte3000]

Hey everyone. I'm an incoming freshman in college, and it's getting around the time where I'm supposed sign up for courses. I'm planning on double majoring no matter what, since it doesn't seem too complicated and is fairly common at my school. I figure I should probably have a good idea of what I'm going to be majoring in so I'm not stuck in college an extra semester trying to finish up courses I need because I didn't plan correctly. My main degree is more than likely going to be physics, and I'm in the honors program so it will be an honors degree, but I'm conflicted about the second.

 

Just as a little background, I took Latin all four years of high school and loved it. Latin class, despite it's name, was probably more like a Classics class sans Greek, Classics being ancient Greek and Roman language, literature, history and other things of that nature. I think that the Classics are a valuable and interesting field, and my high school experience has made me seriously consider studying it in college. In general, I have great respect and interest in the Humanities.

 

The logistics of getting a degree in Classics is not a problem, as I should be able to pull off both degrees without too much trouble. What I'm worried about though, is the utility and maybe even more importantly, the opportunity cost (hooray for high school economics) of getting a Classics degree over something else like a Math or Computer Science degree. I, at this point, am planning on being a Physicist in academia, although it would be a little naive to think that it's impossible for that to change over the next few years. I was just wondering what you guys thought about, both the potential benefits of getting a degree like Classics, and the opportunity lost in not getting a more Physics related degree.

 

Now at this point, I should probably explain what I, personally, think the benefits of a Classics degree would be, before I get assaulted with posts bashing me for even considering the usefulness of it in the career path I'm looking into. First and foremost, it's something I'm interested, and I think I would greatly enjoy learning about it in a structured learning environment. I also think that it's a fairly uncommon degree to have, especially coupled with a scientific degree, and would set me apart during applications and things like that, not that I'm in any way thinking of doing something different for the sake of being different. Classics, in my opinion, seems like a fairly sophisticated study, and I think that getting a degree in it and Physics would express well roundedness. The only problem is, are graduate schools and employers going to value that difference and well roundedness over a more practical second degree? How big of an opportunity in skills that would better me directly as a Physicist would I be missing out on? Is that second degree even going to matter that much in the long run?

 

Thanks in advance and I look forward to reading your insights!

[Cap'n Refsmmat]

I can see a few potential advantages of a Classics degree coupled with physics. For one, a study of the classics will give you reading and writing skills far beyond what a physics degree would require (e.g. lab reports). Survey after survey comes out saying that employers wish their employees could communicate and write more effectively, and classics will help that. Second, the ideas, philosophies and stories you're introduced to in classics will help you better understand the world, deal with people and make decisions. (I think more people should get a firm grounding in philosophy just for the critical thinking it encourages.)

 

Now, I'm not a practicing physicist but a student like you, so I don't know what an application board or potential employer would think when they see classics on a resume.

 

On the other hand, you run the risk of going in, deciding you don't like physics after a year or two, and being forced to spend an extra year doing something new. It's almost certain that you'll change your mind about your interests at some point -- whether it's "I don't like doing research", "I don't like physics at all," or "all these old dead people get on my nerves," or something else. Most people end up changing their major or their plans at some point. (I met a guy that's gone through five majors in five years, and finally settled on physics.) Don't get too ambitious and give yourself some wiggle room.

 

Now, I have two questions for you:

 

If you enjoy classics so much, what drew you to physics? Why'd you choose a career in physics over a degree in classics? (I say "degree" rather than "career" because, well, you know...)

 

If you don't mind me asking, what school is this? I've never been quite sure what a classics degree entails, so I'd like to look up the degree requirements and things.