Best Undergrad Major for Students in Texas

[ivanpov]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I know that this question has been asked countless times, but given Texas' semi-new(2010) requirements for med school....

What would be the best undergrad major for a premed in Texas (TAMU, UT, etc.)

info:
http://www.utsouthwestern.edu/utsw/cda/dept20676/files/397484.html#apply
thanks.

 

[bucks2010]

These requirements are nothing groundbreaking. Major in whatever you want. The sciences will be easier because most/all of the prereqs will count towards your major. That said, it would still be perfectly possible to major in a non-science area and fulfill the prereqs.

 

[da8s0859q]

These requirements are nothing groundbreaking. Major in whatever you want. The sciences will be easier because most/all of the prereqs will count towards your major. That said, it would still be perfectly possible to major in a non-science area and fulfill the prereqs.

This. My degree is not in a "hard science."

OP, there is no such thing as "best major." IMO, you would be well served in choosing something that meets two criteria: you like it more than most everything else, and it's something that is of some utility as a four-year degree in the event that you decide you don't want to go to medical school after all. One of the biggest problems with all of these biology and biomedical sciences majors is that their degrees don't open many particularly lucrative doors without subsequent master's/doctorate-level education. Granted, you can say that for lots of degrees, but it's true for some more than others. It's great if you can major in something where your med school prereqs are double-dipping for your degree requirements, but don't feel like you're obligated to do that.

 

[SeafoodNoodles]

One advice. Generally, allied health majors such as nursing, parapmedic and etc... are NOT recommended.

 

[ivanpov]

Thank you all for the advice/replies.
I found some statistics from UT Austin's premed page:

http://cns.utexas.edu/images/stories/health_professions/MedStats2009.pdf

This seems to reflect what some of you guys have already mentioned.

Another question:
Has anyone here completed a double major?

While Biology seems to be the most popular major for premed(as it fulfills practically all of the med pre-reqs), I'm afraid that if I don't get into med school the first time around, I won't have many options with a B.S. (job-wise) as exi mentioned above.

I suspect many of you guys are in Bio, so any suggestions/thoughts?

 

[deleted357625]

neuroscience is good

 

[bucks2010]

With just a bachelor's in bio your options would be somewhat limited if you didn't go to med school. You could work in a lab at a hospital or university. You could also go on and get an MBA or something. I mean if you were really looking for a cushion you could major in finance or something, but people are having a lot of trouble finding jobs no matter what their major is, so I wouldn't suffer through something you're not interested in just for a false sense of security.

 

[BenFelson]

1. If there is a chance that you may not want to be a doctor, consider pharmacy. You will always have a good job and a lot of what you'll learn will overlap. You will be prepared for courses like Biochemistry, Physiology, and Pharmacology. You will be ahead of your colleagues, in med sch and after.
2. Major in what you like, and what you will do well in. Humanities and social sciences may grade easier. Check out Psychology and similar courses at UT. Majority of med students majored in Biology/Biochemistry. Avoid engineering.

 

[fleetgoddess]

1. If there is a chance that you may not want to be a doctor, consider pharmacy. You will always have a good job and a lot of what you'll learn will overlap. You will be prepared for courses like Biochemistry, Physiology, and Pharmacology. You will be ahead of your colleagues, in med sch and after.
2. Major in what you like, and what you will do well in. Humanities and social sciences may grade easier. Check out Psychology and similar courses at UT. Majority of med students majored in Biology/Biochemistry. Avoid engineering.

Out of curiosity why should someone avoid engineering? Our med school has many engineers. I think if the OP or any pre med likes engineering they should do that. As long as someone gets the pre- reqs I think they can do what they want. I met some people who did Bio-e because they thought it would set them apart. I think thats an example of a bad reason to major in that.