Advantages / Disadvantages of a Non-Science Major

[culturenmusic03]

Hey! So, as the title suggests, I was wondering if anyone had any personal experience or such regarding the advantages/disadvantages of pursuing a non-science major in college? Now, I know that your major has *absolutely* no bearing on admissions and I am well aware of that. However, I am more looking to see if not taking upper level science courses (other than the required ones and biochem, psych/socio, etc.) put you at a disadvantage for performing on the MCAT or even performing well in medical school? Sorry if it's a bit wordy, but what I'm trying to understand here if there is really any value/harm to taking upper level science courses other than if I enjoy them or not. For context, I'm thinking of pursuing a music major (or something along those lines) while taking pre-requisite courses. My only concern is that my lack of science background would somehow hinder my own ability to perform well on the MCAT and/or perform well in medical school (if, and hopefully when I get there).

Willing to clarify anything if I worded anything wrong! I def know that you can pursue virtually any major and go to med school. Thanks!

(Any MD or DO advice is greatly appreciated)!

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[ihoop24]

The main prereqs that schools require are really all you need to do well on the MCAT. Some additional science courses may help solidify that information, but the MCAT doesn't really go in-depth into any subject. It's a mile wide and an inch deep. The only additional value I could see in taking upper-level science courses is to boost your science GPA if you don't do as well in the prereqs. Since your a non-science major, your science GPA will be composed of only the prereq classes as opposed to a science major who has prereqs + a bunch of upper-division science classes.

 

[brockhamptonfanacct]

I’m a non-STEM major but also took significant upper div bio coursework. I’ve loved every second of my major and wouldn’t change it in retrospect. It’s great variation to go from practicing orgo mechanisms to writing papers (imo) and I did just fine in all my upper div STEM coursework

 

[Blueprint Med School]

Advantages: (Usually) easier classes --> higher GPA
Disadvantages: It is sometimes hard to fit in the med school prereqs in a non-STEM major, but that usually isn't an issue.

 

[jamaica jan sun princess]

I have a bachelor's in business plus the basic medical school prerequisites. It was probably easier than a biology degree and offers better job prospects. The downside is that I was less familiar/comfortable with scientific topics compared to my peers with biology/biomedical sciences degree.

 

[Konigstiger]

Advantages: my non-science classes were much easier than my science ones, though this may vary based on the person. I know many people who excel in science-based courses/medical school who think writing-based courses are impossible. In general, though, I think it holds true that the non-premed courses are typically easier than the premed ones. Another advantage is that if you have a degree in a useful field like business, you can fall back on it in case you ever decide you no longer want anything to do with a science-based career. Applying to medical school with a non-science major may also make you stand out from the plethora of biology majors, though I wouldn't count on this being too helpful.

Disadvantages: you have to take all the required courses for your major + all premed courses, which packs your schedule. If you choose a science major, a lot of the premed courses will be included in your required coursework so you won't have to take anything extra to get into medical school. You will also probably have an easier time on the MCAT because you will have had more familiarity with science topics rather than taking a science course in first year and then forgetting about it until you have to scramble to review it for the MCAT at the end of college.

 

[caterwaiter]

This depends on your school, but first make sure that non-majors can actually take the science courses you want to take. My (public state school) undergrad was pretty impacted, so only Bio or Health Science majors could take prereq courses. I imagine this is less of an issue at smaller or private colleges.

Also, research the number of credit hours for the non-science major you're interested in. I wouldn't necessarily recommend music performance (+ trying to take premed prereqs) just because it's a time/credit intensive major. I was an English/Creative Writing major and loved it. Had I known I wanted to pursue medicine then, and had the courses been available to me to take, I could have fit them in easily.

I also took more than the required upper div science courses during my post-bac. I found Molecular Cell Bio, Genetics, and Physiology to be useful for the MCAT.

 

[RespectTheChemistry]

I think there are disadvantages to a non-science major in the long-run. At least that's what I personally decided. I opted for a science major over a non-science major I was also considering because I wasn't comfortable perhaps eventually tackling things like med school level Genetics, Embryology, Anatomy, Neuroscience, Physiology, etc. without an undergraduate-level introduction to the concepts. Those are all upper-level Biology classes offered at my school and restricted to Bio and Neuroscience majors, so I felt it just made sense to go with the Bio major. It's like how never taking Physics in high school bit me in the butt in college-level Physics. Technically not needed according to the department and professor, but I feel I would have benefitted from a lower-level introduction to the ideas.

Priming is an evidence-based phenomenon, which was what made me go this way.

Food for thought.

 

[caterwaiter]

I opted for a science major over a non-science major I was also considering because I wasn't comfortable perhaps eventually tackling things like med school level Genetics, Embryology, Anatomy, Neuroscience, Physiology, etc. without an undergraduate-level introduction to the concepts.

This is actually a great thing to consider. I ended up doing a formal career changer post-bac a few years out from undergrad, then took additional DIY upper-div courses at a different institution to supplement. If choosing a non-science major means you won't have access to courses like Micro, A&P, Immuno, Genetics, etc. then I would go with a science major.

 

[LindaAccepted]

Hey! So, as the title suggests, I was wondering if anyone had any personal experience or such regarding the advantages/disadvantages of pursuing a non-science major in college? Now, I know that your major has *absolutely* no bearing on admissions and I am well aware of that. However, I am more looking to see if not taking upper level science courses (other than the required ones and biochem, psych/socio, etc.) put you at a disadvantage for performing on the MCAT or even performing well in medical school? Sorry if it's a bit wordy, but what I'm trying to understand here if there is really any value/harm to taking upper level science courses other than if I enjoy them or not. For context, I'm thinking of pursuing a music major (or something along those lines) while taking pre-requisite courses. My only concern is that my lack of science background would somehow hinder my own ability to perform well on the MCAT and/or perform well in medical school (if, and hopefully when I get there).

Willing to clarify anything if I worded anything wrong! I def know that you can pursue virtually any major and go to med school. Thanks!

(Any MD or DO advice is greatly appreciated)!

I think the previous replies have given you a lot of insight into the pros and cons of both options, but I'd like to point out -- without recommending a course of action for you -- a few benefits of a non-science major:

1. It differentiates you in the applicant pool. all pre-med need to take bio, organic chemistry, etc. Many decide to major in bio or related fields If you major in philosophy, English, history, mathematics, business, etc, you are differentiating yourself.
2. Presumably you are choosing this non-science major because you are interested in the topic. Studying and doing what you love will make you happier and in this case a more well-rounded person because you'll have medical school to focus on the sciences. It will probably also translate into higher grades and a better undergrad experience.
3. If you become a physician, you will spend all of medical school and the rest of your career immersed in science. I certainly hope that you like the sciences too. But if you have a love of another field, this is your opportunity to dive into it.

At the same time, I would never recommend a non-science major (or any major) to someone who isn't genuinely interested in the topic or as a tactic for improving your chances in applying to medical school.

I just wanted to add this points for your consideration. I think the cons are also valid and have been covered.

 

[LizzyM]

Be sure it is a major in which you can do very, very well. Majoring in something difficult (for you) and doing poorly will not be in your favor. Majoring in nursing or an allied health profession will not give you a boost and can work against you as it is seen as jumping from one profession to another.

Consider that 43% of applicants get no offer of admission and have to take a gap year, or never get into medical school at all. If you were to look at the proportion of college freshman who start out as "pre-med" who are in medical school six years later, the proportion is far, far below 40%. So, major in something that you can see leading to a viable career - or at the very least, an interium job, if medical school ends up not being in your future.