Taking 20 units is a lot of work, but it’s doable — and valuable. If I wasn’t taking 20 units, I wouldn’t be able to study everything I’m interested in. It’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make, especially if it means not having to graduate late (and pay for extra semesters). USC is such a prestigious institution, and we pay a lot of money to be here. I figured I might as well make the most of my tuition, and there’s support in place to be able to do it.

One of the privileges of studying at a school like USC is the amount of academic opportunities there are. From unique classes, to clubs, to study abroad, and much, much more, the university puts a real emphasis on interdisciplinary learning. Around this time last year, something clicked in my brain: I really wanted to take advantage of everything that USC had to offer. So, I started considering a double major.

By: Nancy Aguilar ‘22

Deciding to pursue a second major is a difficult decision on its own, and it can be a very tedious and lengthy process depending on which major you’d like to add to your existing curriculum. Plus —even if you are successful in adding it—the work has only just begun. In my experience, this process took months to achieve. My first major under Dornsife was International Relations and Global Business; later, I applied to the School of Cinematic Arts in August 2020. Prior to, I had months of preparation for the application entailing essay writing, storytelling and creating my own film. If you’re adding a major that is within the same school it’s probably a relatively easier process, but, sooner or later, all double majors have to deal with the same obstacle: finding balance.