Choosing a Major?

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subwayrider

'Ello
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I'm between Chemistry and Biology for my major. I'm a transfer student with about two more years of lower division courses to go through. As far as lower division goes, the classes are nearly identical. Chemistry, however, requires a few more Calculus classes. Unfortunately, math is not my strong suit.
When trying to get into DO schools, how much do they focus on what field your B.S. is in? Do they favor Chem majors over Bio? Would majoring in Chem better help me prepare for osteopathic school/MCAT?

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I'm between Chemistry and Biology for my major. I'm a transfer student with about two more years of lower division courses to go through. As far as lower division goes, the classes are nearly identical. Chemistry, however, requires a few more Calculus classes. Unfortunately, math is not my strong suit.
When trying to get into DO schools, how much do they focus on what field your B.S. is in? Do they favor Chem majors over Bio? Would majoring in Chem better help me prepare for osteopathic school/MCAT?

They don't care at all what your major is. Not one teeny tiny bit. Major in what you enjoy and especially what you can do well in. Your grades, MCAT, application, etc are what matter. In fact, I'd go so far as to say you can spin a non-science major as a way to make you unique and memorable as an interview candidate, but you gotta make sure you have the sales skills!

No major will prevent you from taking classes that are advantageous. I'm a psych major and I'm pretty sure I heard of an english lit major (or something like that) in our class.
 
They don't care at all what your major is. Not one teeny tiny bit. Major in what you enjoy and especially what you can do well in. Your grades, MCAT, application, etc are what matter. In fact, I'd go so far as to say you can spin a non-science major as a way to make you unique and memorable as an interview candidate, but you gotta make sure you have the sales skills!

No major will prevent you from taking classes that are advantageous. I'm a psych major and I'm pretty sure I heard of an english lit major (or something like that) in our class.

Great! Thanks.

But, the MCAT is largely chemistry-based, correct?
 
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Ehhhh, that is arguable. Biology, chemistry, ochem, and physics are big, you can and have to take these regardless of your major. Take what you enjoy and can do well in, period.
 
They don't care at all what your major is. Not one teeny tiny bit. Major in what you enjoy and especially what you can do well in. Your grades, MCAT, application, etc are what matter.

This is pretty much it. If you aren't comfortable with chemistry, go with biology. As for the MCAT, the chemistry you need to know for will already be encompassed in your degree requirements (chem 1/chem2/ochem1/ochem2). That's it. So don't worry about this at all. :)
 
This is pretty much it. If you aren't comfortable with chemistry, go with biology. As for the MCAT, the chemistry you need to know for will already be encompassed in your degree requirements (chem 1/chem2/ochem1/ochem2). That's it. So don't worry about this at all. :)

Teh cool teh beans

I'm no science wiz or genius, unfortunately.
 
I would go with Bio. It's less math and more useful for med school IMO
 
This is why they created a major called Biochemistry.
 
This is why they created a major called Biochemistry.

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No, really, you don't have to major in biological or physical sciences. Seriously. It's not a trick. You can major in ANYTHING you want to major in and still go to medical school. In fact, I haven't found that the odds are any less for you than anyone else. It's just that most people DO major in a science.

Truthfully, in some ways, I think it works out better that way. You can major in something non-science that you enjoy and take only the science electives that you will enjoy as well. If you major in Chemistry, you're going to end up taking Physical Chemistry, and let's be honest... no one likes that class. :thumbup:

My vote is that you major in something that will give you a backup plan you can enjoy. Medical Technology, Nursing, Communications, Business, Software Engineering, etc. Will you ever be a biologist or a chemist if you graduate undergrad and don't get into medical school? If not, why drop all that cash for a degree that you won't put to use. Don't get a degree to make yourself more competitive for med school... just not worth it, no one is guaranteed acceptance.
 
Honest advice to you. MAJOR IN NON-SCIENCE. I am 100% not trying to bash on Business majors but the degree I am currently pursuing is Business Chemistry (B.S) IT IS 80% science and 20% business, we have a chemical company close and I thought this would be a good fall back degree.

Anyways. In business classes there is little to no studying necessary. Well not compaired to an Organic class or a Cell class. A huge portion is common knowledge. IF I could do it again I would go all business and just take the science pre-reqs need to get in. It would give you a huge non-science gpa and help your cgpa.
 
Great! Thanks.

But, the MCAT is largely chemistry-based, correct?

Just FYI, significant MCAT changes coming soon or have already happened. So take what people say with a grain of salt.

For instance, any advice I could give you for the MCAT wouldn't be very useful because I'm "old school" and took the MCAT way back when it was actually difficult and science heavy without all the feel-good social fluff that that you kids get tested on nowadays, and we had to walk both ways uphill in the snow to get to the testing center.....

EDIT: new MCAT for 2015 apparently...no worries for you I assume
 
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I'm doing a B.S in public health in addition to taking prereqs for D.O school and I love it. It really has me interested in preventative medicine which is what I hope to do as a D.O one day. Anyways, choosing a major you are somewhat interested in might be more beneficial then choosing a biology or chemistry related major unless that IS what you enjoy. In my case, choosing a major I enjoy has also payed dividends for my g.p.a thus far. :)
 
Everything you need for med school is in the prereqs. Everything else is either useless or optional.
 
For instance, any advice I could give you for the MCAT wouldn't be very useful because I'm "old school" and took the MCAT way back when it was actually difficult and science heavy without all the feel-good social fluff that that you kids get tested on nowadays, and we had to walk both ways uphill in the snow to get to the testing center.....

Sorry to say but we took the same MCAT you did. Your edit took care of it but come off the high horse :thumbup: :) The MCAT gets more and more competitive each year and it's damn near impossible to score a 32+ now with only the four prereq courses.
 
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