DOUBLE MAJOR!!!

It's now official--I am a full-fledged Physics-Mathematics major! The whole thing took around two hours or so, mostly over the last two days. It actually started several weeks ago when I got the application, but really began when I filled it out yesterday (a fairly uneventful process of figuring out my plan for the rest of my time as an undergraduate), but the real test came yesterday. So, nervous as I ever had been about it all--after all, the application didn't make it sound very encouraging of taking a second major--I went in for my various interviews.

Interview number 1: I go into the the advisement center in the Eyring Science Center, take my form to the secretary in the advisement center, who then proceeds to point me to a door to the right. I go in, greetings are exchanged, and I take my seat. The interview begins quickly. "So you want to take a double major in Physics and Math?"
I nod.
"So why do you want to add Mathematics?"
"Well, I'm hoping to go into particle physics, and I've heard that takes quite a bit of math."
"Alright, well let me check this."
Several moments slowly pass by as the lady at the desk looks at the computer screen, then at the paper, then back, scrutinizing every bit.
"So why are you taking French? Are you planning on a French minor?"
She's noticed the four semesters of French classes I've written down. In my mind I know that it's not REALLY necessary, but it will help me fulfill a G.E. while I get to learn another language (learning Spanish just wasn't enough--rather, it made me want to learn more languages). "It's for a G.E. Well, and my sister went to France on her mission, which gives me that much more incentive to learn the language."
"I see. Now, there's a requirement for an additional six hours of math classes. Were you planning to take any classes over the summer?"
"Oh, I guess I'd missed that. But if I need to then I could certainly take some classes over the summer."
"Alright, I'll just write that in for you."
Another pause as she finally comes to a final conclusion.
"Well, I think I can sign this. Now you'll need to talk to the Chairs of the Physics Department and the Math Department, then come back here and I can take your form to the Dean of the college. Good luck."
"Thank you," I reply and head off, ready to talk to the Chair of the Physics Department.
Wandering upstairs leads me to the secretary's office. I recognize the secretary here from earlier in the semester. I introduce myself and explain that I'm trying to apply for a double major. She checks for the Chair for a few moments, but at last has to tell me to come back after 2:30. I smile politely and take my leave, heading for the Talmage Building.
A few minutes later I arrive at the offic where the receptionist and I have the conversation which is quickly becoming all-too-familiar. The Chair is there in the next room, but he's talking to a professor. After assuring me he should be just a few minutes I wait for twenty minutes or so until I finally am able to speak with the Chair.
Of course, the result here was certainly unexpected. Upon hearing of my request he takes the paper and remarks "Oh, we always sign these", he signs the paper, and I'm on my way.
So, a few hours later I'm back in the Eyring Science Center, this time waiting for the Chair to get back. As last time, I end up waiting nearly half an hour before he finally arrives. At last, though, I'm allowed in to go talk with the Chair.
"So why do you want to add a second major?"
As earlier, I reply by informing him of my ambitions to study particle physics.
"Yes, you'll want a lot of math for that one."
He looks over my application, taking note of my schedule for Fall 2010. "Oh, that's going to be a tough semester."
He continues to look over the paper for another few minutes until at last proclaiming that he feels good about signing it. "You'll definitely want a lot of math for particle physics," he adds before sending me on my way with just one signature left to go.
I hurry down to the first floor where I again meet with Darlene Willey to give her my almost-complete form. She quickly checks to see if the Dean is in, only to inform me that he won't be back until the following afternoon. Still, she takes my form, saying she'll send me an email when she finds out what the Dean says.
The next morning was, of course, spent with me wondering what the final result would be. I could no longer defend my case personally, but with three signatures on my application I was feeling fairly at ease. When the email finally came, however, I was still quite excited--Mathematics had officially been added to my major!

So there's the story. I hope it was at least vaguely interesting. If not, at the very least I enjoyed writing it, and now I'm quite excited about my upcoming college career. Though I had had thoughts of it before, my dream is now solidified as I prepare for the next three and a half years of school as a Physics and Mathematics Major.

~The L.o.t.S. Writer