<p>Ok so I am not a parent - but my parents keep giving me conflicted opinions so I figured this might be a good place to ask. I am currently double majoring in psychology and neuroscience and pursuing a certificate in digital media and a minor in business. These areas seem all over the map to me and I will need to take an extra semester to complete it all. I know I definitely want to go into psych/neuroscience, but the digital media would be fun to achieve and knowledge about technology can only benefit me, and then business is what worry’s me. I doubt (though not positive) I don’t go into the field of business, but I think that business knowledge can help with life in general. So…what to do? Should I pursue all areas and go the extra semester or get rid of digital media or business? Any advice is appreciated. 
Thanks! </p>
<p>I’m not a parent, but I think I have something for you to think about. </p>
<p>I want to tell you to go ahead and take the extra semester so you can learn all you can. But this is the United States and our education system is quite expensive. If you were to take the extra semester, what would your student debt be? What is your expected salary for your career? </p>
<p>A rule of thumb is to take out no more than your first year’s salary in student loans. </p>
<p>I am a parent and someone who has tons of college credits, both undergrad and grad. If I were you, I would concentrate on finishing your psych and neuroscience and get moving and get moving on your career in those areas. Then, you can always go to a community college and take digital media and business classes. It will be much cheaper and you can get just as much knowledge as you would in a minor. It can be your hobby.</p>
<p>^ I agree. It’s not worth staying an extra semester to get a digital media or business minor. IMO something like a math minor might make it worth it because that can open up some interviews.</p>
<p>Not worth it if you are paying or taking on more debt for the extra semester.</p>
<p>How much will it cost your parents, and do they mind paying for it? Better you get out, find a job and take courses at a local cc or state school and get a certificate or just the knowledge that way. I would not want to pay for my kid to do so. I agree that a math or a CS or something that has a good chance of opening up job opportunities and up the pay scale might be of consideration, but even then if you are that close, you can just list the courses you have taken in that field and in one where prospects are sought, that can be enough. </p>
<p>What exactly do you mean by an extra semester? Do you mean a ninth semester?</p>
<p>Are you just meeting the requirements for your major or are you exceeding them? Before trying to finish what is effectively two minors, I would ask myself if I would be better off pursuing more courses in my majors. I would assume (but don’t know) that you will need graduate school to advance in your field. Having a more advance undergraduate background would help in getting into a graduate school.</p>
<p>During a presentation at my daughter’s university a professor made a comment worth thinking about. “I know many students who double major. I know few that do it well.” In your case the majors appear to mesh well but you are then adding two minors which while useful, they don’t appear to overlap course wise.</p>
<p>Money isn’t really an issue - my mom is the one who is pushing the extra semester and the business minor and digital media certificate. She thinks they will be beneficial no matter what I do. But I think I agree with what all of you are saying. I think that it would be more beneficial to maximize my experience in these majors and hold off on the other classes. Thank you so much for all of your feedback! </p>
<p>You’re welcome. And make sure when you talk to your mother, you agree with her that business and digital media courses will be beneficial, but " it would be more beneficial to maximize my experience in these majors and hold off on the other classes".</p>
<p>Complete your one major and graduate. You can always take additional courses later. </p>
<p>Unless it is critical for your career, I would also suggest to graduate and find a job first. That one extra semester not only cost you the tuition and fee but those months of salary. I actually went back to college to take some classes I was interested in later on too.</p>
<p>This is beneficial if the minor will help you get a job. The drawback to graduate and do classes later is that if you do not get at least a minor, it doesn’t normally show up on a resume and employers will not see it. If you are just looking for personal enrichment, then I completely agree it is not worth the extra expense.</p>
<p>I interviewed in my job for many years. We never looked at a minor. We DID look at transcripts from all schools, especially carefully for recent grads. </p>
<p>Particular, OP is seeking a double major, a certificate, and a minor. If you are my kid, I would definitely say no for the extra semester to complete the minor.</p>
<p>Does your mom have the money? Is that extra semester going to mean a loan (or extra loans)
Are you, for instance, a faculty kid and your mother encourages you because she knows it’s free?
Have you maxed out the classes for your major (remember that the major requirements are minima and exceeding them can be a good idea).
I will take a different tack than other posters here:
if you will not incur debt for it, go for the extra semester. Take 2 extra courses in neuroscience, then the rest in business/digital media. The extra advanced classes in neuroscience will serve you well and may pay for themselves if you present a better transcript than other grad school applicants, and the 3 business classes can’t hurt. However, you need to know how to “sell” this combination - for instance, visual representation of neuroscience points? Presentation to patients? </p>