Double Major or Go Easy?

SDN Members don't see this ad. (About Ads)

I am currently a Biology and a Psychology major? Of those two, I prefer to graduate as a psychology major because I find it more interesting. Also, psychology is easy in my school, so I will most likely graduate with a higher GPA if solely majored in psychology. The reason I am a bio major as well is because I have a lot of credits (i finished my intro classes (AP credit), and three more classes after that (only 2 had lab). I would still need take 6 more bio classes, which is alot, but then again, i also have alot of credits under my belt. I do not really like bio. The professors here aren't great and the classes I have taken so far have been whack but its bearable.

If i stick to just psych, the only remaining science classes I would have remaining are physics (2 semesters) and possibly biochem, meaning I would take only 3 sci classes for the next two years. Also, i would finish my psych requirements early because the department doesnt require alot of credtis, allowing my to have my last semester in my senior year free to take whatever i want.

What's your advice? Does it look bad if all my sci classes are stacked in my first two years? also, does this make me look like i am taking the easy way out by switching to an easier major? I know that major has no effect on med school admission, but there is hte chance i will not get in. In that case, would a double major look better? (FYI, idk what i want to do if i dont get in with my life yet lol)

Like you, I also strongly preferred psych. I chose it as my original major, but I decided to pick up bio as a 2nd major because I felt that I ought to take most of the upper-level sciences anyway (and might as well earn the degree to show for it). Many courses like physiology, genetics, microbiology, biochem, etc. may be wanted by med schools. Even those that aren't required (say, immunology, virology, neuroscience, etc.) at least serve as an introduction to med school curriculum. At my school, it was easy to kill two birds with one stone -- neuroscience-related courses in the psych department also counted as biology electives.

With that being said, I did have to take some unnecessary life science electives to complete the bio major (random things like wildlife, medical entomology, food science, etc.). And if the upper-level sciences (beyond med school recommendations) really aren't your thing, it's not worth hurting your GPA over in my opinion.

Originally Posted by SkittlesSuck

What's your advice? Does it look bad if all my sci classes are stacked in my first two years?

I would stick with the major that you are interested in and get a good GPA with it. However, my impression is that med schools do like you to take upper level science in your last years. So if you can fit them in, that would be my advice.

Choose a major that reflects your interests. We just want to see that you distinguished yourself in your chosen field of study (with a strong gpa) and that your MCAT score is consistent with success (even excellence).

Required courses vary by school. Some excellent medical schools don't have them.

I double majored. It was a waste of time and a hit on my GPA. Never again.

So I was a Clinical Psych major because I found it interesting. Apart from the required pre-med classes I only took 1-2 extra upper level bio courses, but really just took whatever seemed interesting. At no point did I really feel that this hurt my application, and I also got to enjoy my time as an undergrad far more than if I had loaded up on extra sciences. As far as having a back-up plan goes, the question is if you would even use a bio degree. Is your problem with the way class is taught, or the actual material? If you don't like the material, it would seem that having a bio major as a back-up is pointless if you don't even want to be doing that later on anyway.

Originally Posted by TriagePreMed

I double majored. It was a waste of time and a hit on my GPA. Never again.

What did you double major in?

Originally Posted by SkittlesSuck

I am currently a Biology and a Psychology major? Of those two, I prefer to graduate as a psychology major because I find it more interesting. Also, psychology is easy in my school, so I will most likely graduate with a higher GPA if solely majored in psychology. The reason I am a bio major as well is because I have a lot of credits (i finished my intro classes (AP credit), and three more classes after that (only 2 had lab). I would still need take 6 more bio classes, which is alot, but then again, i also have alot of credits under my belt. I do not really like bio. The professors here aren't great and the classes I have taken so far have been whack but its bearable.

If i stick to just psych, the only remaining science classes I would have remaining are physics (2 semesters) and possibly biochem, meaning I would take only 3 sci classes for the next two years. Also, i would finish my psych requirements early because the department doesnt require alot of credtis, allowing my to have my last semester in my senior year free to take whatever i want.

What's your advice? Does it look bad if all my sci classes are stacked in my first two years? also, does this make me look like i am taking the easy way out by switching to an easier major? I know that major has no effect on med school admission, but there is hte chance i will not get in. In that case, would a double major look better? (FYI, idk what i want to do if i dont get in with my life yet lol)

Take your psych major + prerequisites (BCMP) + Biochem, Physiology, and Genetics. If anything overlaps, that's great! That's all you should do and the last 3 are optional but I think they're good to take (idk if med schools favor you if you take them, probably not, but they're good prep for medical school courses). They're students (including me) who go way overboard and take immunology, neurobiology, histology, anatomy, etc. It's pointless and sucks a lot of time out of your schedule. There's no point. Medical schools don't care about your major so long as you take the prerequisites. Also, as a sidenote the new MCAT is supposed to have Psych on it so maybe your major will help you?

I was originally a Psych major, BS, which at my school required at least 5 upper level science than the BA did, from BIO, Chem, Math or Phys, that in combination with Premed requirements, and the minor in Neuroscience I wanted to pursue convinced me to just go the dual degree route (Psych and Physiology+Neurobiology). If I stuck with Psych I would graduate a year and a half early, I don't really want that honestly. I am happy with my choice so far, and have a 4.0 now in my third semester. I hope I can stay above 3.8 when all is said and done. Like OhYeah said, my case is a two birds with one stone deal, if yours is similar then go for it!

I would say if you want to do the double major, finish your psych requirements sooner than later so your upper level bio isn't to hard of a course load.

I guess it depends on when you want to graduate. You could do it without it affecting your GPA if you plan on graduating in 6-7 years. If you want to graduate in less than that, then it'll take alot of time and may affect your GPA. If you think it will affect your GPA in any way, then don't do it.

Originally Posted by iforget2

I guess it depends on when you want to graduate. You could do it without it affecting your GPA if you plan on graduating in 6-7 years. If you want to graduate in less than that, then it'll take alot of time and may affect your GPA. If you think it will affect your GPA in any way, then don't do it.

6-7 years for a double major? That is a bit of an exaggeration don't you think?

I already took genetics, cell and molecular bio, and another bio course. I probably will take biochem as well.....


MEH IDK WHAT TO DO!!

So the conclusion is: Just do my required pre-reqs (including genetics, cell bio, biochem) and psych courses?????????????

Your application will be better received for having done 1 major with a better GPA than 2 majors with a lower GPA.

Originally Posted by lostintranscrip

Your application will be better received for having done 1 major with a better GPA than 2 majors with a lower GPA.

i understand that but my concern is that my transcript may not look as good even with a high gpa if i stop taking sci courses which would allow my to cover the bare minimum of the prereqs(e.g. 2 sem of bio with lab, chem, orgo,physics,etc.) now and just continue with psych courses and other random courses im interested in for the remaining semesters

Originally Posted by SkittlesSuck

So the conclusion is: Just do my required pre-reqs (including genetics, cell bio, biochem) and psych courses?????????????

Yeah that should be just fine. Just double-check the specific schools to which you plan to apply in case they require/recommend anything else. Once those bases are covered, you should just follow your interests.

Originally Posted by SkittlesSuck

i understand that but my concern is that my transcript may not look as good even with a high gpa if i stop taking sci courses which would allow my to cover the bare minimum of the prereqs(e.g. 2 sem of bio with lab, chem, orgo,physics,etc.) now and just continue with psych courses and other random courses im interested in for the remaining semesters

A lot of people do this, and it won't prevent you from matriculating. I honestly think it's a cop-out to do that just to protect GPA but that's just me.

^well, i will take a few more sci courses but im just not gonna go ahead and major in bio which would require me to tkae like 6-7 more bio courses alone.

Originally Posted by SkittlesSuck

^well, i will take a few more sci courses but im just not gonna go ahead and major in bio which would require me to tkae like 6-7 more bio courses alone.

A cop out is just another phrase for an excuse. I think you should take Biochem, Genetics, and Physiology + Psych Major + Prereqs. Keep it above 3.8. That will look sufficiently challenging for all admissions and will prepare you adequately for medical school. Don't double major just because it's a few classes away. Double Majors are for people who actually have a passion for two topics and want to do something with both of them or those who feel like they need to have a back up plan. You're going to medical school. Have a back up of course but likely you'll get in somewhere so remember undergrad is just an intermediate to medical school. It won't matter how many degrees you earn.

Simple as that.

Originally Posted by SkittlesSuck

i understand that but my concern is that my transcript may not look as good even with a high gpa if i stop taking sci courses which would allow my to cover the bare minimum of the prereqs(e.g. 2 sem of bio with lab, chem, orgo,physics,etc.) now and just continue with psych courses and other random courses im interested in for the remaining semesters

Anybody who is not a science major does this without any problem.

Take the pre-reqs and the recommended ones (Genetics, Phys, etc) and if you want to take some extra science classes you still can. That way you can choose what (and when) you want to take, rather than having to take multiple classes that you aren't interested in.

Originally Posted by kmp0410

Anybody who is not a science major does this without any problem.

Take the pre-reqs and the recommended ones (Genetics, Phys, etc) and if you want to take some extra science classes you still can. That way you can choose what (and when) you want to take, rather than having to take multiple classes that you aren't interested in.

Yes, and if you don't want to take any of the recommended (physio or genetics) you can pick and choose among those. I doubt medical schools will look at your transcript any differently so long as you ace your prereqs. Take Biochemistry though. It's becoming required in more and more places.

Originally Posted by SkittlesSuck

i understand that but my concern is that my transcript may not look as good even with a high gpa if i stop taking sci courses which would allow my to cover the bare minimum of the prereqs(e.g. 2 sem of bio with lab, chem, orgo,physics,etc.) now and just continue with psych courses and other random courses im interested in for the remaining semesters

You are the only one who will dissect your transcript this deeply!

I double majored in biology and psychology as well and it took a hit to my gpa. Schools don't really care if you double majored or not, only that you have a high gpa among other considerations (mcat, LOR, etc). Don't double major if you think it'll help you get into med school, but do double major if you're really interested in it.

Originally Posted by SkittlesSuck

i understand that but my concern is that my transcript may not look as good even with a high gpa if i stop taking sci courses which would allow my to cover the bare minimum of the prereqs(e.g. 2 sem of bio with lab, chem, orgo,physics,etc.) now and just continue with psych courses and other random courses im interested in for the remaining semesters

Adcoms don't look THAT closely at each class, only that you fulfilled the prereqs and have a high GPA. The only reason they would look more closely is if you have a bad gpa. Then they would be looking for bad grades and trends. They have several thousand applications to look at and they tend to focus on the big things: GPA, MCAT, LOR, activities, and personal statement. I double majored and minored and took a ton of interesting classes, but not one interviewer asked me about my classes. Take it easy, get a high GPA, and use that extra time to shadow or volunteer.

Originally Posted by La Presse

What did you double major in?

psychology and sociology.

Originally Posted by TriagePreMed

psychology and sociology.

Those classes must have been difficult.

Originally Posted by TriagePreMed

I double majored. It was a waste of time and a hit on my GPA. Never again.

Meaning of life discovered.