BS in Bio preferred at DO Schools?

[armymedico]

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So as I'm reading through the CIB, I found a passage that says most applicants have a BS, and then after comparing the different schools, I found that at most DO schools about ~75% of their accepted student population has a science related degree. I know you don't need a BS in bio to get into med school, but it certainly seems like there are more BS-Bio's in osteopathic medicine compared to the MD's, which were about half biological sciences in 2009. I understand the key is to get the pre-reqs done and then major in what you like, but the stats seem to be in the bio majors favor (at least for aspiring osteopaths). So does anyone know, do they give preference, or am I just worrying too much because I'm a linguistics (BA) major?

 

[SoulinNeed]

I'm a Poli Sci major, and I think what you noticed is just a coincidence, based off of who's applying. Not many people know DO schools exist, especially if you're not in science, somewhat.

 

[Skippygonenuts]

Generally MD or DO don't care what major u chose or if it's BA or BS. Believe it or not they enjoy seeing the non-science major applicants because they're so unique and well rounded. They don't care what you choose to major in a long as you do well in it. And of course if your a non-science major you need to do very well on your pre-med requisites.

A friend of mine just got into Penn state with a BA in music. Although to be fair, he did spectacular both in terms of mcat and gpa.

Good luck

 

[Kevin Baker]

but the stats seem to be in the bio majors favor (at least for aspiring osteopaths). So does anyone know, do they give preference, or am I just worrying too much because I'm a linguistics (BA) major?

I think they prefer stats majors. Correlation != causation 🙂

But seriously, it is difficult to fulfill all 8 required science pre reqs if not a science major, and graduate in four years. Some schools also have a biochem requirement, and almost all recommend extra bio classes (but not extra chem or physics classes, explaining the bio major majority), and it is tougher to do exceedingly well on the MCAT without some experience with genetics and other bio classes. Plus, there's often a math requirement. Meaning well over 1/4 of a typical persons undergrad classes MUST be science classes. Hence, you get a lot of science majors.

I've seen nothing which indicates one's major plays any role in admissions. I've heard that non science, or multi-disciplinary majors are preferred over bio/chem/phys, but I have no data to back that claim up. That's just what one ADCOM member and premed advisor told me.

 

[sideways]

It doesn't matter. If anything, I think your major is an asset.

 

[GuitarFreak]

Nope. They don't care what your major is.

 

[VeeTeeHokies]

I think they prefer stats majors. Correlation != causation 🙂

But seriously, it is difficult to fulfill all 8 required science pre reqs if not a science major, and graduate in four years. Some schools also have a biochem requirement, and almost all recommend extra bio classes (but not extra chem or physics classes, explaining the bio major majority), and it is tougher to do exceedingly well on the MCAT without some experience with genetics and other bio classes. Plus, there's often a math requirement. Meaning well over 1/4 of a typical persons undergrad classes MUST be science classes. Hence, you get a lot of science majors.

I've seen nothing which indicates one's major plays any role in admissions. I've heard that non science, or multi-disciplinary majors are preferred over bio/chem/phys, but I have no data to back that claim up. That's just what one ADCOM member and premed advisor told me.

I think that there is actually some truth to this, particularly at research giants. From my understanding, it is actually preferred to have applicants with a strong background in statistics and it actually weighs in at a lot of schools when considering applicants. Not saying that this is a deciding factor, but they're a lot happier to see someone with a few stat courses or a minor than somebody who took just one stat class to fulfill a requirement, or especially vs. somebody who hasn't taken any at all.

 

[nardini46]

No one really cares about your major. Just work hard to get good grades.

 

[hiyaman]

Depends on school, you might wanna major in biology if your school is a pain in the ass and getting classes for the pre-reqs are difficult.

 

[whothenathan]

Usually, whether MD schools or DO schools or... any professional school doesn't really have preference over one another. They are not supposed to favor one major over another. I think its their rule. Just like how they don't discriminate one race from another.

 

[roadrunr]

some schools have a list of upper division science classes that are strongly recomended, this is where many science majors have an advantage. It also really helps with the mcat.

 

[CopToEM]

I've always been told (both on here and by faculty at my undergrad school) that BS or BA really doesn't make any difference.

We know that in general a BS degree puts a stronger emphasis on the sciences and a BA degree puts a stronger emphasis on the humanities. We could argue all day which is more important to a future physician.

However, the most important point here is that many school do not even offer a BS degree. So, are those students to be faulted because of that? No.

In my lowly opinion - take the path of least resistance. If BA instead of BS is ever the thing that keeps you out of medical school then the joke's on me. I'm 100% certain that will never be the case.

 

[NurWollen]

I am putting together a custom "general studies' major so I can get my prereqs done quickly and have room to pursue some other academic interests, and also so I can graduate more quickly. I emailed several schools' admissions offices to make sure such a major would be ok. They unanimously responded that the major is not important. One did say that the rigor of the undergraduate program is considered.

Take home message: When they say they don't prefer any particular major, they mean they really, really, truly do not care, as long as you take enough challenging classes to show you can handle med school.

 

[Helen Wheels]

Nope, they don't seem to care. I got in with a BA in anthropology.

I came to getting accepted into med school through a very circuitous nontrad route, though. Now, I am starting to worry about not being prepared enough for med school since I never took genetics, microbio, cell bio, etc. So, boy if I could do it over again I think I'd do the BS in biology.