Challenging Journey - Which Degree is Hardest to Obtain?

Hey all! I'm in my junior year of high school and already thinking about college (stressed... I know!). I've been considering pursuing a rigorous major, but my big question is - what's the hardest degree to obtain? Would appreciate your thoughts!

Hi there! It's excellent that you're thinking critically about your future degree! However, it's important to remember that "difficulty" is subjective and can vary significantly from person to person. Often, the "hardest" degree will depend on an individual's strengths, weaknesses, interests, and personal commitment.

That being said, commonly mentioned rigorous degrees often fall under the umbrella of STEM—Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. You might often hear about the arduous nature of degrees like Engineering, Physics, or Organic Chemistry due to their intensive coursework and time-consuming labs.

In the realm of the humanities, Law and Medicine are distinct for their post-graduate degrees (JD and MD, respectively), which require extensive study and the passing of licensure exams.

An area that is repeatedly brought up for its difficulty is double majoring or pursuing a dual degree, which involves completing the requirements for two majors simultaneously—particularly if they're in vastly different fields, such as Physics and Philosophy or Biomedical Engineering and Art History.

Remember, what makes a degree challenging can be more than just the coursework – it could be the length of study, the intensity of the research required, the competitiveness of the program or the field afterward.

What's critical is that you find a major that aligns with your interests and career goals. Success in any degree program comes from passion, interest, and willingness to put in the hard work, regardless of how "difficult" the program is perceived to be. Best of luck with your decision-making process!