Bio vs Biochem vs Premed Major

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So I will be graduating high school in a few days and I am kinda stressed about picking my major. I want to go to med-school and someday become a surgeon, but my problem is what to major in?

I will be attending the University of New Mexico for my undergraduate studies.

I am leaning towards a Biochem major because all and I mean ALL my aspirating doctor friends are majoring in Pre-Med.

So I guess my question is which is better? Why? And can somebody explain pre-med track? Biochemistry and Biology in more detail please?

P.S. Thank you in advance!
 
Can you actually major in pre-med at your school? Because I know most schools don't and it's just a "track" you follow.

But with that said, major in whatever you want. Do whatever you're interested in. It doesn't matter whether you are majoring in bio, chem, music, psych, or art. What does matter is your GPA and MCAT (most important factors of your application to medical schools).

Now biochem will most likely include most of the medical school pre-reqs, but just remember that its not a requirement. Only do it if you're genuinely interested. Think about the situation and what you would do if you didn't go to medical school (not to say you wont, but keep in mind the majority of freshman who come in as pre-med don't end up making it out as a pre-med). Would you actually want/be happy with a career in that field? How are the job prospects? ect ect.

Good luck with your decision!
 
Well you have enlightened me. There is only the premed "track" as you said. Its a B.Sc. in Emergency Med Services. -_-

Biochem sounds tempting, and hard. but I like the idea of studying it for 4 years
Biology sounds like everybody does it but also sounds fun and easier.
 
Doesn't matter. Whatever interests you. I don't think I could find that many respectable institutions that offer an actual "premed" major. It's usually an advising program and "track".
 
VCheetah said:
Well you have enlightened me. There is only the premed "track" as you said. Its a B.Sc. in Emergency Med Services. -_-

Biochem sounds tempting, and hard. but I like the idea of studying it for 4 years
Biology sounds like everybody does it but also sounds fun and easier.
Click to expand...

B.Sc.? Are you going to a United States school?
 
I think the OP was referring to BS as in "Bachelors in science," as opposed to a BA degree. May be wrong though.

and they're going to University of New Mexico.. :laugh:
 
VCheetah said:
Well you have enlightened me. There is only the premed "track" as you said. Its a B.Sc. in Emergency Med Services. -_-

Biochem sounds tempting, and hard. but I like the idea of studying it for 4 years
Biology sounds like everybody does it but also sounds fun and easier.
Click to expand...

Yes, as the OP's have stated. There isn't usually a "Pre-med major" but a track. Most people major in Biology or Chemistry for their pre requisites.
 
oh, and to answer your question on what specifically is the pre-med track, it is basically a set of courses you are required to take to apply and matriculate to a medical school. See these links for some of the classes - http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=949503&highlight=pre-med+track+classes + http://www.startmedicine.com/app/coursework.asp

They also reference some recommended classes that may help you on the MCAT, the standardized test for medical schools (basically the SAT for medical schools to put it simply). Also, keep in mind as of 2015 you'd be recommended, if not required, to also take psychology, sociology, statistics***, and biochemistry*** IIRC. (the stars are the ones I think are the required lol)
 
As boring as it may sound, accounting/finance is probably the most employable bachelor's degree there is. Any sort of computer science degree is probably second. Other highly employable bachelors degrees include mathematics and anything in the realm of information technology or information systems. If any of these sound the least bit interesting to you they would be good ones to fall back on if (heaven forbid) med-school (or grad school in general) doesn't pan out. That being said, most people who are committed to the health professions go with the biology degree because it seems the most relevant, but if you can do a degree in something useful and meet all the med school pre-reqs it's probably worth considering. The classic pre-med degrees ie biology, biochemistry, chemistry and psychology are not even a little bit employable if life gets crazy and you need to just go to work after graduation. Bachelor's degrees definitely don't go as far as they used to in a lot of fields, but as I mentioned above, there are still a few good ones (basically degrees that teach you set of skills instead of just a body of knowledge). Hope that helps...and all my family is in NM, so Go Lobos!! 😀
 
Tolbert said:
oh, and to answer your question on what specifically is the pre-med track, it is basically a set of courses you are required to take to apply and matriculate to a medical school. See these links for some of the classes - http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=949503&highlight=pre-med+track+classes + http://www.startmedicine.com/app/coursework.asp

They also reference some recommended classes that may help you on the MCAT, the standardized test for medical schools (basically the SAT for medical schools to put it simply). Also, keep in mind as of 2015 you'd be recommended, if not required, to also take psychology, sociology, statistics***, and biochemistry*** IIRC. (the stars are the ones I think are the required lol)
Click to expand...

Why so fabulous?

why-so-fabulous-675x506.jpg
 
Thank you all very much for your input. I will seek out my school advisor, and talk to graduates from UNM who have majored in both. I guess its just a decision I will have to really research.
 
I think biology would be a great major. It covers everything you need for medical school. Biochem would work too but make sure you still take all of the pre requests
 
Why do all high schoolers want to become surgeons lol.....



And how could you possibly know that you would want to study biochemistry for 4 years?
 
U Wot M8 said:
Why do all high schoolers want to become surgeons lol.....



And how could you possibly know that you would want to study biochemistry for 4 years?
Click to expand...

Ummm Emergency Medicine here............

Neuroscience for me 🙂
 
Most people are biology majors because most of the classes that a biology degree requires are also the classes that a pre-med track requires. This makes your schoolwork easier than say an engineering major who's also pre-med bc they need to take their rigorous engineering courses on top of the highly competitive pre-med courses. Just know that it doesn't matter what your major is as long as you can get a good GPA 🙂
 
Who gives a **** what you major in. Just major in something that you love and something that can get you a job. There is no "perfect" major that will prep you for Medical School. If you like Biology, then take Biology, if you like talking about fairy tales then go into religious studies..

The best pre-med program is the program that you would like the most.
 
Do biology and minor in biochemistry.
 
Biology is the basis of life, chemistry is the basis of biology, physics is the basis of chemistry, and math is the basics of physics...

so really you should just major in math.
 
U Wot M8 said:
Why do all high schoolers want to become surgeons lol.....



And how could you possibly know that you would want to study biochemistry for 4 years?
Click to expand...

Leaning more towards Dentistry, but otherwise I would be leaning more towards EM and Neurology
 
Check out my response to this question here:Ask Survivor DO: Which Major is Best to Get Into Medical School

Check it out, I think it is pertinent to the conversation. The conclusion - it really doesn't matter what you major in as long as you can maintain a high GPA and enjoy it. You also need to consider what options it will give you as backup plans if you do not succeed in getting into medical school or change your mind.

Survivor DO
 
Last edited:
survivordo said:
Check out my response to this question here:Ask Survivor DO: Which Major is Best to Get Into Medical School

Check it out, I think it is pertinent to the conversation. The conclusion - it really doesn't matter what you major in as long as you can maintain a high GPA and enjoy it. You also need to consider what options it will give you as backup plans if you do not succeed in getting into medical school or change your mind.

Survivor DO
Click to expand...

Survivor DO, you are the man! 👍
 
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