Students with deep interests in more than one field of study often consider double majoring. However, less than 20 percent of each class actually takes this route. For most double majors, junior and senior years are entirely devoted to courses in the two major subjects, many of them upper-level. If both majors require a year-long senior conference sequence and a substantial thesis, a double major may be especially daunting. A minor or a concentration may offer some of the same advantages as the double major, but with many fewer disadvantages.
Given these challenges, students who would like to major in two subjects must obtain prior approval from both major advisers as well as their dean. Before you initiate the formal application process, you should meet with major advisers in each department to make sure you understand that department's major requirements, as well as its minor requirements. Discuss the possibility of double majoring. If the two majors are in related fields, find out what the department's policy is regarding double-counting courses towards both majors. The College ordinarily permits up to three such double-counted courses.
If, after meeting with both major advisers, you're still confident that you want to major in both subjects, you should begin the actual application process.
Note: If one of your proposed majors is at Haverford, you must follow both colleges' sets of procedures.