Another random majors question..

[dptorphd]

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So.. I'm currently trying to make a final decision on my major. I'm currently a biology major, pre pt. I'm also thinking md/do or ot or becoming a clinical psychologist. I'm interested in psychology and the neurological disorders more than anything.

Also, I LOVE learning Spanish. Its a more of a love of the Hispanic culture rather than just wanting to learn a language that's used in the U.S. It just happens to serve both purposes.

So the deal is.. I really want to study abroad in Chile for a year. I would go second semester of my junior year and first semester of my senior year. I'm actually not taking any PT pre-requisites until this semester, but with careful planning I could finish them all in the next 3 semesters, along with some psych/spanish classes, before i study abroad. This would allow everything to be set before PT applications. I also looking into taking the GRE while in Chile, and it wouldn't be a problem. I would need about 3 more classes to finish the psych major in my senior year, and probably take another spanish class for a minor.

I also thought about if I decide on medicine.. but really, with PT requirements, I wouldn't be missing that much that I couldn't make up in one year after my undergrad if needed. I think if i decide on medicine also, time wouldn't be as much of an issue, since med school is a large time commitment anyways.. But my mindset is pretty set on PT, as i want patient contact and a life other than my profession, and I want everything to be external.

or I COULD major in biology which would keep me set for both. Also, if I decide to go the clinical psychology route, I would need a psych degree.

So I guess i'm asking.. even if i decide on medicine later on, would making the switch to a psych major hurt me? I wish i could make a decision now and stick with it, but I know I'm not going to be able to.

Studying abroad for a year was always the one thing I was sure about when entering college, and it'll be the one time in my life I can just live in another country for a year. I couldn't do this with the bio major.

Sorry its so long. I guess overall I'm asking,whether I go pt or ot or md or phd/psyd in psych, the psych major would apply for all?

 

[NewTestament]

I'm not quite sure what your dilemma is. Do you have to be a Psych major in order to study in Chile for one year?

I would go ahead and study in Chile. It'll look good on your application. Having multicultural awareness and the ability to speak Spanish will make you more valuable. It might be the only chance you ever have of living in a foreign country for a year, unless you plan to work as a PT abroad after your finish PT school.

As I've mentioned in another thread, a Psychology major is junk. A Biology major would be more practical. Unless you get a master's or a PhD, your opportunities will be limited. However, if you plan to enter the health sciences, then it doesn't really matter.

I would finish college, earn your Psychology degree, and then go to your local CC to finish all you pre-requisites. Use your electives to finish as many pre-requisites at the university/college your're at now, and then finish the remaining pre-requisites at your CC. It'll take you an extra year, but that's the cost of studying abroad.

Kevin

 

[okramango]

So the deal is.. I really want to study abroad in Chile for a year. I would go second semester of my junior year and first semester of my senior year.

I guess overall I'm asking,whether I go pt or ot or md or phd/psyd in psych, the psych major would apply for all?

Yes, the psych major could apply for any of the careers you listed: MD, PT, OT, or Psych. For the health careers you listed, your major really doesn't matter, as long as you take and do well in your prerequisites and other application materials. It really sounds like the psych major is your best choice considering the careers that you are interested in.

It's wonderful that you plan on doing a year abroad. It's going to give you a really unique and valuable experience that will have a positive impact no matter which career course that you ultimately choose. I did a semester abroad in my undergrad, and it really shaped who I am in many ways.

It sounds like you'll be abroad during the PT application cycle. Are you planning on taking a gap year off between undergrad and PT school? You would have to apply the summer/fall between junior and senior year in order to start PT school the summer or fall after you graduate, but if you're abroad you won't be able to go to interviews, etc. Still, taking a gap year between undergrad and PT school could be well worth it in order to do the year abroad. Good luck!

 

[prodigiousflame]

I would really recommend educating yourself about the curriculum of the classes you're taking abroad and Chile's educational system. I studied abroad in Sydney and it ruined my GPA because the psych classes there were vastly different from the ones I was used to at my home institution. They start Sydney students with upper division classes while in the US we start off taking general ed courses so the level of difficulty was much different. At home I was taking theoretical based classes while they focused on mathematics, lab rats, and full blown research/stats which I was not prepared for. I mistakenly took a couple of the important prereq courses while I was studying there but should've just stuck to easier electives. That being said, if you're just taking random electives abroad you should be in better shape than me. Chile's education system is probably different than the one in Australia but I'm just mentioning this so you can do your homework and know what kind of courses you're getting yourself into before you go.

 

[DesertPT]

And keep in mind that the difference between Chilean Spanish and Mexican Spanish is equivalent to the difference between French and Italian, more or less. 🙂

 

[dptorphd]

Thanks all for your input! I haven't completely decided between Chile, Peru, or Spain. And when abroad, I plan on just taking classes in Spanish language/literature, I don't think I would understand content enough, at least my first semester, to take anything but those. I'm extremely indecisive about my future right now, and it's stressing me out! Ha. But yea, it'll come with due time. I'm probably going to take a year off after undergrad no matter what I decide, so I have some time to figure it out, kind of. haha.