When they first entered Van Wickle Gates as first-years, 40% of the class of 2027 indicated that they planned to pursue a double-concentration, according to The Herald’s 2023 first year poll.
Now, these sophomores must declare a concentration by March 17. Some students are ultimately unable to double-concentrate due to class requirements, finding the two concentrations limit other opportunities, students and faculty told The Herald. But double-concentrations also have their benefits.
“Students double-concentrate for a variety of reasons,” Senior Associate Dean of Advising Timothy Shiner wrote in an email to The Herald, noting the difficulty of narrowing down choices, ability to explore interdisciplinary connections and preparation for a career post-graduation.
But, he added that “students may find it difficult to squeeze in all the requirements while also pursuing other opportunities they may prioritize such as a thesis, study abroad, internships or research.”
The choice to pursue a double-concentration often depends on the number of requirements between two departments.
Because economics has fewer course requirements — 11 for the standard track — the concentration is “relatively easy” to double-concentrate with, said Alex Poterack, a senior lecturer of economics and vice director of undergraduate studies.
A double-concentration may “hinder your academic experience,” he explained, adding that pursuing the track may “dictate what courses you’re taking” instead of academic interest.
Poterack added that for some students there is an element of “competition” to double-concentrating.
But “we don’t want to encourage a pre-professional point of view about concentrations” where a certain job demands a certain concentration, Poterack continued.
Areea Fairuz ’26 recently declared as a double-concentrator in economics and biomedical engineering, but not before she considered her options.
Fairuz entered Brown with the intention of only majoring in mechanical engineering.
“It helps a lot to know both sides of the world,” Fairuz said. “When I started exploring, I (decided) I can’t just do one thing.” She said she finds inspiration from those around her “because it’s very hard to find someone that’s doing one concentration.”
While The Herald’s first year poll found 40% of the class of 2027 intended to pursue a double-concentration, 32% of the class of 2024 graduated with two concentrations, according to Brown’s Office of Institutional Research.
“A lot of people come in with two similar concentrations,” said Anna Ershova ’26, who is concentrating in physics and French and francophone studies.
“You come in and you realize how much Brown has to offer,” Ershova said.
The number of students double-concentrating varies by department.
Many of the bio-related dual concentrators are likely pre-med students, said Patricia Risica, a professor of behavioral and social sciences and epidemiology and director of undergraduate studies for public health.
Risica continued that pre-med students are “notoriously” anxious and have ventured outside the public health concentration to pursue a Bachelor of Science, a degree that is not currently offered by the department.
“Students are deciding for themselves that they need to make the best application by double-concentrating or by adding an Sc.B.,” Risica said.
While it is feasible to complete a double-concentration with neuroscience, “it won’t leave much room to take anything else, which is not ideal,” according to Carlos Aizenman ’93, a neuroscience professor and the director of undergraduate studies.
Aizenman added that he usually does not advise students to double-concentrate. He said that students double-concentrating typically have to take five classes, which negatively impacts the department. The additional coursework strains “the limited teaching space and TA budgets we currently have available for undergrad courses,” he wrote.
Outside of academic departments, Poterack has also noted concern with double-concentrations as a member of the College Curricular Council — a group of faculty, students and administrators charged with overseeing undergraduate curricular offerings at Brown.
“There are some people at the College who feel like students double-concentrate too much,” Poterack said. “The linkage between what you concentrate on and what career you do is maybe not as strong as you think it is.”
According to Shiner, “students have equal post-Brown success with a single concentration.”
Owen Fick ’27 is still deciding if he wants to double-concentrate. He plans to declare under the biochemistry and molecular biology concentration first, but is going to continue to explore IAPA and political science courses throughout his time at Brown.
“I’m here because of the Open Curriculum, so I want to try classes that I’m interested in,” Fick said.
Hadley Carr is a university news editor at The Herald, covering academics & advising and student government.
