<p>Ben is absolutely spot on.</p>
<p>Indeed, it is not true that you can’t major in history and do well. E.g. Gary Cox did his undergrad in history at Caltech and then got his Phd in Soc Science. He is now a very well respected authority on British political history and chair of the poli sci department of UCSD.</p>
<p>As for social diversity: While it is certainly true that at larger universities it is possible to meet people in a wider range of fields I am often struck at how field specific people’s friends can be. Talking to a Yale grad, I mentioned a Yalie from the same graduating class. He said he didn’t know that person because they weren’t in the same major. I have also noticed at my current institution that majors tend to cluster together unless they’re in frats. In contrast, the Hovses at Caltech make it easy to know people from all majors from all years.</p>