BA vs BS

[cdcd67]

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Hey guys. I was planning on majoring in biochemistry at Queens College, until I found out that they only provide a BA, not a BS. I was wondering if this would make a difference later on. I know pharmacy schools probably won't mind either one...but just in general, is it true that most jobs would prefer a BS over a BA?

Thanks for your help.

 

[FarscapeGirl]

I don't think it matters. My friend and I were talking last night, and he thought it was odd that at his school, the business majors got BS's, while his major (computer science) is a BA. I think what you major in and what classes you take matters more.

 

[aboveliquidice]

Hey guys. I was planning on majoring in biochemistry at Queens College, until I found out that they only provide a BA, not a BS. I was wondering if this would make a difference later on. I know pharmacy schools probably won't mind either one...but just in general, is it true that most jobs would prefer a BS over a BA?

Thanks for your help.

Speaking from 1st hand experience (ADCOM) - I can tell you that the school I attend does NOT care - we give credit for 4yr degrees (BA or BS). That being said, each institution is different.

Contact the schools that you are interested in specifically and direct the question to them. You get the double bonus of getting the answer you seek and opening a line of communication with the program (which is very important)

~above~

 

[dangerdog]

Hey guys. I was planning on majoring in biochemistry at Queens College, until I found out that they only provide a BA, not a BS. I was wondering if this would make a difference later on. I know pharmacy schools probably won't mind either one...but just in general, is it true that most jobs would prefer a BS over a BA?

Thanks for your help.

for pharmacy school, your undergrad major doesn't matter. A degree is a degree to them.

But if something goes wrong, and you end up having to look for a job after undergrad, then BS is better. A lot of employers, especially in the applied science field, equate BA to people who played through undergrad.

 

[dempsie5688]

for pharmacy school, your undergrad major doesn't matter. A degree is a degree to them.

But if something goes wrong, and you end up having to look for a job after undergrad, then BS is better. A lot of employers, especially in the applied science field, equate BA to people who played through undergrad.

This is not true, often time your Bachelor's degree show maturity and it distinguishes you as someone who can complete something. That being said of course someone with a BA in History cannot obtain a position where a BS in Engineering is required

 

[dangerdog]

This is not true, often time your Bachelor's degree show maturity and it distinguishes you as someone who can complete something. That being said of course someone with a BA in History cannot obtain a position where a BS in Engineering is required

No, because most BA vs BS degrees different in amount of content and focus on science. A BA degree usually have less science courses and more liberal arts classes than a BS counterpart. eg. BA in biochem might have 4 bio courses, while BS has 6. Which one does a bio company more likely to choose?

 

[cdcd67]

Hmmmm...now I am in a sticky situation. I can go to QC (cheaper, close to home) and get BA in biochemistry....or I can go to Stony Brook [expensive (in the sense that I would have to dorm)] and get BS in biochemistry.

 

[micko]

Hmmmm...now I am in a sticky situation. I can go to QC (cheaper, close to home) and get BA in biochemistry....or I can go to Stony Brook [expensive (in the sense that I would have to dorm)] and get BS in biochemistry.

It really doesn't matter. I went to the University of Chicago and took a million bio classes (I majored in bio) and got a BA. It didn't matter how many bio classes I took because they still award a BA for a Bio degree. Whereas if I had majored in chem, for example, I would have gotten a BS. It really depends on what the school chooses to award and has nothing to do with how qualified you are.

 

[dangerdog]

Hmmmm...now I am in a sticky situation. I can go to QC (cheaper, close to home) and get BA in biochemistry....or I can go to Stony Brook [expensive (in the sense that I would have to dorm)] and get BS in biochemistry.

how good of a student are you? How certain are you about going to professional/graduate school?

If you are sure about going to grad school, and that you are a good enough student to get accepted (eg, did you finish near top 20% in high school), then what you choose for undergrad is not important.

If you are not sure, or want to leave all options open, then go get a BS. I did research for Pfizer after undergrad and made decent money with BS in molecular bio. But they don't take BA's, since the depth of BA really can't compete with BS degree holders.

 

[cdcd67]

O okay. Thanks guys for all your help. I am pretty sure that I won't stop after getting a BS, so I will just attend QC. 😉

 

[dangerdog]

O okay. Thanks guys for all your help. I am pretty sure that I won't stop after getting a BS, so I will just attend QC. 😉

Glad that you made up your mind. It's good to aspire high. A bachelors, even from a tier 1 school won't get you very far in a major company, you really do need a graduate degree. And that's the reason I left Pfizer for pharmacy despite the higher than average pay.

And keep in mind. You can always transfer credits. So if you decide not to go for grad school, you can always spend the 3rd and 4th year in Stony Brook and get that BS .

 

[cdcd67]

And keep in mind. You can always transfer credits. So if you decide not to go for grad school, you can always spend the 3rd and 4th year in Stony Brook and get that BS .

Actually, I am a sophomore in NYIT right now; I will be transferring to QC for my 3rd and 4th year..lol. But yeah, there's no way I'm stopping after BS. 🙂

Thanks once again for everything. 😉

 

[confettiflyer]

BA vs. BS is a non-starter for the same degree. As a matter of tradition, some universities only offer BA's for all subjects (ranging from humanities to biology). Conversely, a few universities only award BS degrees for all subjects (including humanities, literature, etc...). To that end, adcoms will understand that a BA in biochemistry and a BS in biochemistry are functionally equivalent. However, a BA in literature and a BA in biology would be treated differently due to subject matter.

So, in the end, BA/BS does not matter. What will matter is the completion of your prerequisites AND receiving a BS/BA degree for pharm admissions.

 

[confettiflyer]

No, because most BA vs BS degrees different in amount of content and focus on science. A BA degree usually have less science courses and more liberal arts classes than a BS counterpart. eg. BA in biochem might have 4 bio courses, while BS has 6. Which one does a bio company more likely to choose?

This is institution dependent. See above post.

 

[dangerdog]

BA vs. BS is a non-starter for the same degree. As a matter of tradition, some universities only offer BA's for all subjects (ranging from humanities to biology). Conversely, a few universities only award BS degrees for all subjects (including humanities, literature, etc...).

While your conclusion about BA/BS makes no difference for pharmacy school admission is the same as mine, your degree info is incorrect. For most schools, a BA vs BS degree is differentiated by the art vs science content. Use my undergrad school for example, University of Texas at Austin.

Here is the comparison:

BA bio

BS bio

Note the amount of science course between those 2 differ quite a bit. Few schools might only offer only a BA or BS, but the two degrees are NOT equivalent. BA degrees are intended for a more "well rounded" education, where as BS is structured in depth for that science subject.