MacInsiders Logo

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Res Key Pick Up dj27734 First-Year / Prospective Student Questions 16 09-02-2011 03:02 PM
What to pick, what to pick. happycamper First-Year / Prospective Student Questions 4 08-08-2011 08:37 PM
Going into second year, when will I pick my major? my courses? looking for a timeline dumbconsumer Academics 9 05-24-2011 07:30 PM
Do we get to pick our profs?? dlee First-Year / Prospective Student Questions 11 06-30-2010 11:46 AM
When Can I pick my courses? Mac12 Academics 3 06-24-2009 09:18 AM

Do I have to pick a major?

 
Old 03-06-2014 at 03:34 PM   #1
cassandra82
Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 18

Thanked: 0 Times
Liked: 0 Times




Do I have to pick a major?
Silly question, I know! As I'm looking on solar at 2nd year program selections, I've found some things I'm incredibly interested in but unfortunately don't have the prereqs for!
For example I would be interested in doing a double major (honours) in Gerontology and Cognitive Science of Language, but i did not take health and aging, or the psych courses required for cog sci lang.

What should I do now? any suggestions?
Old 03-06-2014 at 04:37 PM   #2
jaywa
Account Disabled by User
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 67

Thanked: 14 Times
Liked: 9 Times




What program are you currently in? Some allow you to continue on in second year with a general major, for example 'social science level 2.' You can also choose to register in a major you do have the prerequisites for and then switch in third year to the program you would rather be in. Or you could try to take the prerequisites you need during summer school if they're offered.

cassandra82 says thanks to jaywa for this post.
Old 03-06-2014 at 05:42 PM   #3
cassandra82
Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 18

Thanked: 0 Times
Liked: 0 Times




Right now I'm in Humanities! Do you know if this would allow me to continue with a general major? Thanks a ton though
Old 03-06-2014 at 06:04 PM   #4
starfish
Elite Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,062

Thanked: 505 Times
Liked: 572 Times




You can check the course calendar to see if the general program is offered. If it's not listed, then it sometimes still does exist but it's not a "degree program" because it's meant more for people whose GPA was too low for any degree program but not low enough to get kicked out - sort of an interim thing while they get their grades up.

Whether you do end up doing general humanities or pick an alternate major for second year before switching into the major you want, just make sure that you take as many required courses as you can from the major that you want, so you won't be too far behind. That's especially important if you want to take a double major - there's not generally a lot of room to get behind on course requirements there.
Old 03-06-2014 at 11:11 PM   #5
jaywa
Account Disabled by User
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 67

Thanked: 14 Times
Liked: 9 Times




You should be able to continue on in general humanities in second year. In most cases getting into a degree program in second year is easier than getting into one in third year. You may want to choose a program for second year, even if you don't think you want to stick with it, just as a back up. Who knows, you may like it and end up minoring in it or something.
And then like starfish said just make sure to take as many of the required courses as you can from the program you want to apply to in third year.



Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



McMaster University News and Information, Student-run Community, with topics ranging from Student Life, Advice, News, Events, and General Help.
Notice: The views and opinions expressed in this page are strictly those of the student(s) who authored the content. The contents of this page have not been reviewed or approved by McMaster University or the MSU (McMaster Students Union). Being a student-run community, all articles and discussion posts on MacInsiders are unofficial and it is therefore always recommended that you visit the official McMaster website for the most accurate up-to-date information.

Copyright © MacInsiders.com All Rights Reserved. No content can be re-used or re-published without permission. MacInsiders is a service of Fullerton Media Inc. | Created by Chad
Originally Powered by vBulletin®, Copyright © 2019 MH Sub I, LLC dba vBulletin. All rights reserved. | Privacy | Terms