BA or BS Chemistry

[fishrfriendsnotfood]

Hello,

Considering doing a BA in Chemistry ... Does it look unfavorable to not get a BS? Thank you so much

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[Princeton Medical Student]

Doesnt matter

 

[Geo16]

UC Davis?
Dude, handful of science majors are awarded B.A. at my institution. I think Astrophysic and Physics are also B.A.
It goes to show that it really doesn't matter.

 

[fishrfriendsnotfood]

UC Davis?
Dude, handful of science majors are awarded B.A. at my institution. I think Astrophysic and Physics are also B.A.
It goes to show that it really doesn't matter.

not a UC, but i get the point regardless. Thank you!

 

[Raryn]

Hello,

Considering doing a BA in Chemistry ... Does it look unfavorable to not get a BS? Thank you so much

I got a BA in chemistry ~2009. Didn't want to take the calculus based physics or the extra P chem class required for the BS. I can't say anyone has brought it up in the intervening med school application process, residency application process, fellowship application process, or job application process.

 

[MCATISEZ]

For medical school apps, no it won’t matter. Perhaps for in a job search as a chemist it might.


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[RNthenDoc]

A LOT of my classmates realized that a “Pre-Optometry” Bachelor’s at my school was way easier than “pre-medical focus.”

Nobody cares what it is. It’s a checkbox.

I will say Chem or Biochem probably sounds better than Bio.

 

[aldol16]

It doesn't matter. Even if you were looking to get a job for a few years before going off to med school, nobody is going to care about your BA versus BS. They're more interested in your experience and what skills you have.

 

[TheBiologist]

I agree what someone said that for med school it will not matter (and prob for any graduate/professional school) but if you end up changing paths the B.S. will open more doors for jobs

 

[aldol16]

I agree what someone said that for med school it will not matter (and prob for any graduate/professional school) but if you end up changing paths the B.S. will open more doors for jobs

In the job world, people care more about your experience than a one letter difference on your diploma. You'll rarely see jobs that list "B.S." as a requirement but even then, you won't be turned away if you apply with a B.A. with adequate experience/skills.

 

[TheBiologist]

In the job world, people care more about your experience than a one letter difference on your diploma. You'll rarely see jobs that list "B.S." as a requirement but even then, you won't be turned away if you apply with a B.A. with adequate experience/skills.

very true, although I'm thinking for entry level it could only help to have the B.S.

 

[aldol16]

very true, although I'm thinking for entry level it could only help to have the B.S.

I think the help of a BS vs. BA is very minor, if it exists at all. But having a BA isn't going to shut any doors for you - all that really matters in any industry is experience. If you have a skillset, you're qualified for the job no matter what that one letter difference is.

 

[Lucca]

Take whichever one you prefer. I did a BA-like version of my science degree because I didn’t want to take more taught lab courses than I absolutely had to ( I generally found them to be a complete waste of time compared to actually working in a lab ), otherwise did most of the coursework associated with the BS anyways. At the end of the day, it won’t matter for med school (or even grad school).