<p>What do you think? E.g. economics + philosophy</p>
<p>You’re going to have to elaborate a little bit. For starters, good soft factor for what?</p>
<p>just in general</p>
<p>any career, law school admissions, etc.</p>
<p>Is anyone besides me curious about what a “soft factor” is? Anyone?</p>
<p>yes .</p>
<p>i was thinking the same thing. w t f is soft factor?</p>
<p>As I understand the term, “soft factor” is like…a contributing factor, but not a main one. For example, the OP refers to law school admissions, in which the main factors are GPA + LSAT score. The rest of the package–letters of rec, undergrad school, choice of major, EC’s, etc.–is primarily “soft factors.” Likely to be considered, but not likely to tip any scales (at least in most cases…it is possible to have great soft factors, and there are also schools that are known for giving heavier consideration to certain soft factors).</p>
<p>But OP, your question is still too broad/vague to be meaningfully answered.</p>
<p>How is my question vague?</p>
<p>Let me restate:</p>
<p>How significant of a soft factor is double majoring for the following:
- career (specify if you wish)
- graduate school admissions (specify if you wish)
- etc.</p>
<p>For each, if the specific majors chosen and/or the specific combination has a significant bearing on any of the above, then specify.</p>
<p>It was vague because it was unclear why you were asking, and whether you wanted us to respond re: law school, another grad program, a specific career, any career, life in general…or to the specified program of our choice. Thank you for clarifying.</p>
<p>As I’m sure you’ve seen or been told in the law school forum, this is generally said to be a rather insignificant soft factor. Both econ + philosophy are well-accepted as majors of law school bound students, so I wouldn’t expect that either degree would really benefit or harm you (as a philosophy major, I did receive some very positive feedback from law schools, but the comments also referred to my specific program, and may have been more ego-stroke-y than anything else…can’t say). As for the combo, everything I’ve read on these boards (take that as whatever authority you’d like) has suggested that a double major isn’t a big deal, as soft factors go. If you want to pursue one, then by all means do so, but don’t do it becauseyou think it’ll really boost your law school application. Again…I’m certainly no adcom…this is just what seems to be commonly accepted on boards like this. If you search the law board, you’ll find many relevant threads.</p>
<p>PPE, philosophy/politics/econ, is a program that exists at a fair number of colleges. Just a random fact (something to look into if you’re not yet in college, or if your school allows you to design your own degree).</p>
<p>Thanks for your help.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t just take a double major for law school admissions, but actually because I am just interested in both subjects (moreso than other subjects, at least).</p>
<p>Okay, so the vast majority of opinions I have seen on this (albeit from non-authoritative sources) is that double majoring is not really a significant soft factor. However, what about non-law-school-wise? What about, for example, non-law and law-related careers? Anyone know anything about this?</p>
<p>@ xanthom</p>
<p>Pursue a double major only if you enjoy the subjects and do well in them. Law schools don’t care about double majors. If the two subjects fit in some way, then some graduate school programs may see it as a plus.</p>
<p>So basically, it seems that the best course of action would possibly be to major in the more practical (economics) and minor in the less practical but still entertaining <a href=“philosophy”>to me</a>. If I at least minor in philosophy and do well, it’s still proof that my writing/reading/analytical/etc. skills are good and intact.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t say don’t double major as such, instead I would say only do it if you can do so without sacrificing all other ‘soft factors.’ For example, don’t double major if it means that the excess time commitment means that you can’t, for example, lead an organization on campus, complete a research project, things like that. There’s nothing wrong with a bit more ‘book knowledge’ but nobody wants someone that’s full of book knowledge but lacks real world or practical knowledge (the sort of thing one gets by, for example, leading an on campus organization or doing extra research out of the classroom). So by all means do it, but not at the expense of those other things…</p>
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<p>The best course of action is to do what you want, knowing that it probably won’t make too big of a difference. If the above scenario is your ideal, go for it. </p>
<p>I suggest meeting with an advisor and/or career counselor to back up whatever advice you receive here.</p>
<p>For liberal arts majors, your major(s) won’t matter for law school admissions or employment.</p>