<p>This is kind of a basic question, but I am new to all of this :-).</p>
<p>I hear about schools that have “distribution requirements” that I thinks means a certain amount of courses in a broad variety of areas regardless of major(s).</p>
<p>If a school has distribution requirements (it seems most do) how realistic is it to double major with a minor, or major and have a double minor? Is there a DISadvantage to schools that have flexible or no distribution requirements?</p>
<p>If this makes a difference, the possible majors are;English/Creative Writing, Psychology, and Studio Art. which would seem to cover some of the core areas. Would the classes for these areas of study typically be able to count both towards the majors & the “core” or “distribution requirements” at the <em>same</em> time, or only towards one or the other?</p>
<p>Along similar lines of though, if looking forward to possible grad school for Psychology (art therapy), would there be a large disadvantage to double majoring in English and Art, with only a minor in Psychology as long as it was at a top end challenging school?</p>
<p>Last one…any thoughts on a great school for these areas in Wisconsin, Minnesota, or Iowa?</p>
<p>The answer is, it really depends. I’m in much the same situation as you–possibly double-majoring English/CW and CS, minor in French–and I pay special attention to curriculum requirements. Some schools have very loose requirements such as “take 3 classes in 3 divisions” (which is convenient if the two majors are cross-division); others have very strict distribution requirements. Scripps, for example, has a humanities core and many requirements that ruled it out for me when I discovered that I would have zero electives after my planned concentrations. But Williams and Rochester, though they have requirements, are pretty loose. Large state universities and some LACs (Bryn Mawr, for instance) will let you get out of some distribution requirements with AP credit, too.</p>
<p>I think open curriculums are designed for people like us who have disparate but specific interests. Those who would have jumped around anyway will easily fulfill distribution requirements, while those with one specific major in mind will not find them particularly taxing. Open curriculums can be a disadvantage for the undecided unless advising is strong.</p>
<p>In specific recommendations, I can only speak to LACs strong in English/Creative Writing–take a look at Carleton, Macalester, and Beloit.</p>
Distribution requirements vary, so it will depend on the school. But it is certainly realistic in many cases. Many schools with distribution requirements also have a high percentage of double majors. </p>
<p>At a school like Swarthmore or Williams, the distribution requirement mandates three classes in each of three divisions, which more or less correspond to:</p>
<p>You probably need 9 courses for a major, so if you double-major, that’s 18 major courses. You probably take 32 courses total as an undergraduate, so that leaves 14 non-major courses.</p>
<p>If both of your majors are in the same division, then you have easily fulfilled the distribution requirement for that division. But you still need to take 3 courses in each of the other two divisions, or 6 total out of your 14 non-major courses. This should not be a problem. If your two majors are in two different divisions, then it’s even easier.</p>
<p>At most LACs, the distribution requirements are not perceived as particularly restrictive. Sometimes you’ll find humanities majors who resent the science/math requirement.</p>
<p>I agree with Corbett, and want to add–if you’re worried about a particular school’s graduation requirements, do take the time to make up a prospective 4-year schedule (many majors, for instance, require more than 9 courses–I’ve seen one CS major with 14 required). Look up the school’s registrar graduation requirements, which spell out everything, and then figure out how many elective courses you’d have left over after fulfilling all of the requirements (the double-counting rules can be quite complex).</p>
<p>Generally (and of course this varies from school to school), it is possible to double major or major/double minor at a school that has distribution requirements as opposed to a core curriculum (like Columbia or Chicago). </p>
<p>Of course, some schools’ distribution requirements are more stringent than others.</p>