LV Life

Double majors juggle ambition, success

Senior Kari Trotter is majoring in both biology and chemistry. Even though the course load contributes to her hectic schedule, she has no regrets in studying two subjects. “I would encourage other people to do it, to get a broader base of knowledge,” she said. / photo by Veero Der-Karabetian
Senior Kari Trotter is majoring in both biology and chemistry. Even though the course load contributes to her hectic schedule, she has no regrets in studying two subjects. “I would encourage other people to do it, to get a broader base of knowledge,” she said. / photo by Veero Der-Karabetian

by Tanessa Dillard
Sports Editor

When senior Kari Trotter completes her requirements for graduation next fall, she will have degrees in both biology and chemistry. She is one of many double majors at the University of La Verne.

“I’m in the process of trying to go to medical school,” she said on why she chose to double major. She hopes to become a general practitioner or an anesthesiologist.

“There is a possibility of not making it,” she said.

Trotter explained that having a broader base of knowledge will help her get into graduate school, if she is not accepted to a medical school right away.

“It looks better, competition-wise,” she said.

As a freshman, her goal was to get only a degree in biology. She later decided to study chemistry as well.

“There are more jobs with a chemistry background,” she said. “It’s only a minor setback.”

Trotter manages to stay on track with a schedule that not only includes two majors, but involvement on the soccer and track teams and a job in the Admissions Office.

She admits that her social life has been sacrificed the most.

“I’m making minor sacrifices now so it will pay off for a tremendously big future,” she said.

Debi Stanley, academic adviser and matriculation director, said that student must plan carefully if they want to pursue double majors.

“If students want to do it, they need to do it fairly early,” she said. “Sometimes it takes a little longer because they have to meet the requirement in two majors.”

Students are not allowed to “double dip,” meaning that they cannot count one class for both majors. They also must meet with advisers for each area they major in.

“It’s difficult, but it’s possible,” said Stanley.

Sophomore Shannon Beets always intended on being a double major. Originally, she wanted to study political science and philosophy, but she later decided to major in religion and philosophy.

“I think that religion and philosophy are two interconnected fields,” she explained on why she chose those majors.

Her primary reason for double majoring is that she wants to go to graduate school. Like Trotter, she feels that being a double major will make her a better applicant.

So far, juggling two majors has not been too difficult for Beets, who plans on being a professor. She said her schedule is tight. She also does not have the time to take classes solely for interest’s sake.

Senior Oscar Valencia can relate to having two majors like Trotter and Beets. However, Valencia has one more major than the rest. He is a triple major in philosophy, behavioral science and Spanish.

According to him, he did not know what he wanted to study his first year of college. He took general education classes. Then he made a list of majors that interested him.

He could not decide between his three favorites. So he chose all three.

“I thought that would be better for me,” he said. He said that any one of the majors alone could never have satisfied his interests, since a wide variety of classes within the majors are not offered at ULV.

Satisfying his interests meant taking up to 20 units a semester and completing multiple senior projects. Valencia has already finished his senior projects in philosophy and behavioral science.

He is currently working on his senior project for Spanish. In the spring, Valencia will spend the semester in Mexico City to fulfill the study abroad requirement for language majors.

“I’m looking forward to that,” he said. “I’m completely done with my other two majors.”

Tanessa Dillard, Managing Editor
Tanessa Dillard
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