I am an English major and I would like to go to medical school, I did half of the requirements but don't have time to finish the other half so I was thinking of doing post-bacc. I was also thinking of getting my PhD in English first ( I know that is kind of random) but I really love learning and I want to mature more before I go into medical school. How would this be looked on when applying? I am a first-generation college student so I want to achieve as much as I can, also taking a non-traditional path sounds appealing to my personality. Is there any advice anyone can give me such as should I start trying to get involved with science research now even if I am a humanities major. What are they looking for?
Advice on being an English major and applying to medical school
- Thread starter veritas16
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We are looking for the same things in all applicants without regard to major: that they have distinguished themselves in their chosen field of study, displayed competency in the sciences and have demonstrated that they possess the core qualities desirable in this profession.
Is there anything I can start doing now to distinguish myself in the science field. I go to a top university but I just feel like it is hard to just segue into scientific research when you are in the humanities, as in people won't take you seriously.
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We will take you seriously.
Research can be an important part of an application, but A's in the sciences are where you need to start. Top universities have excellent learning centers where they will be happy to help match your learning style to these new demands.
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Start e-mailing professors. You're making assumptions about the way that professors think, and you're not doing yourself any favors. E-mail all the professors you can and get into a lab; that's how you get research experience. If a professor doesn't want you because you're an English major, you e-mail someone else.
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I was an English major too! The way that I managed to get into a lab was to browse the "research" tab at my local med school (I started with a department I was most interested in) and found that some labs list the students that have worked in the lab on their homepage. I found a lab that listed residents, med students, undergrads and high school students. That's the lab I emailed (because I figured even an English major with science classes would know more than a high school student). Two and a half years later, I am still doing research for that lab as a medical student. If you can't find info online, just start emailing labs that sound cool.!
Asian language major here who has done 2 years of bioengineering research. My PI sees me as more productive and competent than a lot of the engineers. Don't make assumptions, write an intelligent cover letter selling yourself, and be ready to work hard.
