Lots of people want to design their own major, but it seems pretty daunting to go against the status quo and venture into the unknown. Surprisingly, there are few resources available to those who want to design their own major, so I’m writing this up for y’all to show you how easy it is.
Intro
I chose to design my own major — IDEAs (Immersive Design and Engineering Applications) focused on virtual and augmented reality— because I found myself living at the intersection of Product Design and Computer Science, with a deep interest in psychology and human behavior. I am incredibly passionate about VR/AR, and Stanford has yet to create a program that adequately addresses the unique interdisciplinary blend of spatial design, human-computer interaction, electrical engineering, psychology, computer graphics, and storytelling. I submitted my IDMEN during Spring Quarter of my sophomore year, and received my T-shirt a few weeks later (although I might want to custom print my own with a cheesy major tag line on it!).
Disclosure: AFAIK, you can only design your own major within the School of Engineering. The School of Humanities and Sciences discontinued their IDM program in 2013.
First, research
Before you design your own major, you have to confirm that you really want to design your own major. Take a lot of classes in various departments (I went through PSYCH, PHIL, LINGUIST, SYMSYS, MS&E, MUSIC, CS, BIO, EE and ME) to make sure none of the existing majors catch your fancy. Simultaneously, remember the classes you’ve enjoyed so far. Identify what you like about them and where you could get more of that.
Next, look at the existing IDMEN proposals that have been previously accepted. If someone’s already laid out the dream major, it is easy to grab it and tweak it to your desires.
Once you have a foundation, you’re ready to create your major!
Requirements
Designing your own major sounds like it would be difficult, but it is actually fairly simple and straightforward. There are only 5 requirements to be zipped into a file and emailed to Darlene Lazar (also drop off a physical packet on her desk in Huang 135).
Major Advisor(s) — Signature(s) and Letter of Support
This is probably the most time consuming part of the process, but even normal major people have to find a major advisor. Most professors are pretty excited about IDMENs, especially if you include their classes in the program. You should have people in mind, and start reaching out as you begin the process. Your advisor should be an expert in some way related to your field of study. Because they do not have to be in a certain major, you can pick from the wealth of world-renowned legendary professors that Stanford has (your primary advisor has to be in the SoE). I chose Gordon Wetzstein, who builds cutting-edge optical display systems for VR/AR. Did I know him before? No. I simply said, “Hey Dr. Wetzstein, you moderate the VR club. . .so do you want to be my advisor?” Leverage office hours and come with concrete requests. My secondary advisor is Dr. Jeremy Bailenson, the world’s leading researcher on VR. I previously worked in his lab and took his class. Your secondary advisor is optional, but can be anyone, ANY OF STANFORD’S AWARD-WINNING PROFS. My friend’s advisor is David Kelley, the founder of IDEO! You will need your primary and secondary advisors to physically sign your program sheet. Additionally, your primary advisor will need to write you a letter of support detailing why your major should exist and why you should be the one to make it and do it.
Program Sheet
This is a list of courses that you will take within your major. IDMENs have specific requirements, but are fairly flexible. You can request to tweak the requirements in your proposal. Throughout the program planning process, you should ask people for help. My PMA and I chatted briefly, and he reminded me to ensure that I had some theoretical courses in my major so that I would have a foundation for developing problem-solving frameworks on my own. Ask friends and upper classmen for advice on which classes to take. If your major advisor is already on board, consult them for advice; they know of classes that you probably haven’t even heard of. Here are the IDMEN requirements:
- Mathematics (21 units)
- Science (17 units)
- Technology in Society (1 course)
- Engineering Fundamentals (2 courses)
- Engineering Depth (34 units min. including a WIM and Senior Project course)
- 90 units minimum, 107 units maximum (this leaves at least 70 units of whatever you want! Did someone say coterm?)
Math: I don’t know what kind of bogus a 21-unit requirement is, but I’ve seen a lot of IDMENs ask to waive the one unit, since most SoE majors have only 20-unit requirements. If you come in with AP Calculus, you’re already halfway there. To finish it out, I’d recommend CME100 and one major-specific math class such as CS103, otherwise CME102 and CME103 are also 5-units.
Science: Again, 17? Who picked these numbers? Pick science classes that you are interested in. The beauty of IDMEN is that you don’t have to take Physics! I highly recommend BIO150, but it is only offered once every other year, and I’ve heard Sapolsky might be retiring. Pro tip: if a class is remotely scientific and is relevant to your major, you can list it in your program sheet and ask for approval in your proposal. I was able to get PSYCH 1 and PSYCH 35 (SYMSYS 1) approved for science credit.
TiS: Again, pick a fun one. Most TiS’s are really chill. I took Virtual People (COMM 166), which was a blast and is ideal for my major that focuses on VR/AR. I’ve heard Technology Entrepreneurship (ENGR 145) is good as well. Make sure it is listed as a TiS during the year you take it.
Engineering Fundamentals: Just take CS106A and another fun one (I did E40A, which is 3-units — 7 week class). Again, pick ones that make sense with your major so that you get a comprehensive program that the committee will nod their heads at and say “mhm.”
Engineering Depth: This is where things get fun! Just take all the classes that you are curious about. That will keep you coming to class and nurture your ~intellectual vitality.~ Naturally, you’re designing your own major to explore something that deeply puzzles you, so all the classes that make you curious will form a comprehensive program. Remember to include a WIM class (not all WIM classes are created equal) and a Capstone/Senior Project class.
SoE program sheet template Excel file here; I suggest filling it out in Google Sheets to easily share with friends and advisors for feedback. Here is my program sheet for reference.
Proposal and Rationale
Here, you essentially have to convince the committee that you:
- Are really interested in your topic
- Are going to be a bad ass in your field
- Are aware of the resources Stanford has that are relevant to your field
- Are aware of where to get any resources that Stanford is lacking in your field
- Are sure that you cannot explore your field adequately through any other major (“majoring in X alone or Y alone would not be enough, it is the unique intersection of X and Y together that makes my major necessary”)
Simply write as if you are convincing Stanford to make your major into a real one. I used tactics such as, “Stanford prides itself on being on the cutting edge. We have XYZ professors doing ABC research. I want to explore this as well.” The IDMEN accepted proposals are fantastic examples of ones that worked. Here is my proposal for reference.
Four year plan
Yes, they want you to have a four year plan. No, it isn’t binding. They just want you to show that it is feasible to complete your major in four years (some classes are only offered in certain quarters). Moreover, if other students see your IDMEN and are interested, they can gauge the big picture of the major.
SoE Excel template here. My four year plan here (personal) and here (Hi I’d like to major in IDEAs).
Unofficial Transcript
To make sure you aren’t dying academically. You can request this from Axess (Student → Unofficial Transcript → View Report).
Conclusion + Resources
Once you have your program sheet signed by your primary advisor (and your secondary advisor if you have one), your letter of support from your primary advisor, your four year plan, your rationale, and your unofficial transcript: zip them and print them. Send the zip file to dlazar[at]stanford[dot]edu before the IDMEN review deadline (they review three times a year, in October, February, and May, so keep that in mind). Drop the physical packet off on Ms. Lazar’s desk in Huang 135. If they ask you to revise it, don’t be discouraged, simply ask for feedback and make the changes! Once approved, you must fill our your major declaration form and get your t-shirt. Drop the form off in Student Services (2nd floor of Tressider near the parking lot).
See, that isn’t all that bad. Designing your own major is also a powerful process of self-discovery and soul searching, which I cannot detail deeply in one blog post. However, I know you may still have doubts. Many people will undoubtedly tease you about having a diploma that says “Individually Designed Major in. . .IDEAs” or ask you, “Aren’t you afraid employers won’t take your degree seriously?” Ignore them. You have the power to stand apart, a resume with a field of study that no other student in the world has, and a passion for something few people even know about. The efforts you make in designing your own major shows employers your determination and expertise. Ultimately, you will have a deep and fulfilling education that plays to your curiosity. And you won’t even have to take the Physics 40 series. I hope you feel more prepared to trailblaze a new and exciting field of study here at Stanford University!
P.S Remember your degree will be a B.S.
I have been teased for majoring in B.S IDEAs :)
Official IDMEN Undergraduate Handbook
Official IDMEN School of Engineering Overview
If you have questions, feel free to email me at khoile [at] stanford [dot] edu.
You can also email Darlene Lazar, who manages the IDMEN application process at dlazar [at] stanford [dot] edu.
Finally, Tom Kenney advises IDMEN applicants if they have questions: 650–723–5984
