Change in Major?

[acegsm]

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Hey,

I am currently completing my freshman year as a biology major with a minor in Spanish and chemistry. However, after taking a philosophy course I would love to make this my major instead. I was just curious to know how medical schools would interpret this major rather than a science major. Thanks.

 

[vin5cent0]

You can do whatever you want, provided you have all the pre-reqs done. Really, though, what the hell are you going to do with a Philosophy major? That's about as worthless as a Liberal arts major, a history major, poli sci, etc etc. Your life, but I'd definitely want a backup plan if med school doesn't pan out.

 

[chief illiniwek]

You can do whatever you want, provided you have all the pre-reqs done. Really, though, what the hell are you going to do with a Philosophy major? That's about as worthless as a Liberal arts major, a history major, poli sci, etc etc. Your life, but I'd definitely want a backup plan if med school doesn't pan out.

i second this.

 

[kevenka]

Can always go to graduate school and get an MBA

 

[acegsm]

Alright, thank you for the input.

 

[acegsm]

Do you view psychology the same way?

 

[deleted202457]

You only have to have the prerequisites to get in med school. Pick what you wanna do because if it interests you you will do better. Just know the MCAT will be harder with less science classes. And you should decide on your own what to do. Not ask random people you don't know. My opinion is to minor in the philosophy or psychology. Neuroscience is different because it is more science-y

 

[Transmogrifier]

You only have to have the prerequisites to get in med school. Pick what you wanna do because if it interests you you will do better. Just know the MCAT will be harder with less science classes. And you should decide on your own what to do. Not ask random people you don't know. My opinion is to minor in the philosophy or psychology. Neuroscience is different because it is more science-y

I don't have a reference for this, but I've heard that non-science majors do better on verbal than science majors and they also do just as well on bio as the bio majors for the MCAT.

And if you're wondering what in the world you'll do with a philosophy degree if med school doesn't work out, also ask yourself what in the world you'll do with a B.S. in bio if med school doesn't work out! The only thing you qualify for with a B.S. in bio are entry level lab and biotech jobs paying <$20/hr.

 

[sarahg]

In my opinion, major in what you enjoy most, provided you can work out some way to be able to get a job you enjoy afterwards. And you can do this with pretty much any major if you do internships and stuff. There's a bias towards science majors being more useful, but as a psych major I have access to jobs (like being a behavior analyst for autistic children) that pay just as well as entry level bio major jobs, and thanks to doing some corporate internships during the summer, I'd be able to get some better-paying office jobs (working in HR, etc). And I'd enjoy any of these jobs more than a lab/biotech job.

Plus, you're still early in college. You'll likely change your mind a few times. I'm not saying you don't really want to do medicine, just that at this stage in college you need to let your interests guide you toward what you want to do, not base all your decisions on what you THINK you want to do at this point when it means acting against your interests (i.e. being a science major when you'd rather study philosophy). If you decide against medicine you want something you enjoy to fall back on, so don't major in biology unless that's what you actually enjoy most or you want to graduate early (it'd be hard to do a humanities major and get all your science prereqs out of the way in 3 years).

 

[TheMagicCookie]

Also, remember that a Philosophy 101 course is MUCH different than the other classes included in that major...a Logic class should follow the 101 course and it is not much fun at all. Make sure you really research what a philosophy major entails and read up on the class descriptions. I enjoyed my first philosophy course, but hated the upper level ones that I took.

 

[Transmogrifier]

Also, remember that a Philosophy 101 course is MUCH different than the other classes included in that major...a Logic class should follow the 101 course and it is not much fun at all. Make sure you really research what a philosophy major entails and read up on the class descriptions. I enjoyed my first philosophy course, but hated the upper level ones that I took.

Oh I loved deductive logic! Granted I had a very easy professor but I did love the subject material. But then again I majored in biology because I love logic and deduction as applied to science and life. Maybe I'd be bored by a regular philosophy class =].

 

[acegsm]

Alright, thank you! That is true, I have only taken a 101 course - I'll try another course and then decide.

 

[DendWrite]

I don't have a reference for this, but I've heard that non-science majors do better on verbal than science majors and they also do just as well on bio as the bio majors for the MCAT.

http://www.aamc.org/data/facts/2006/mcatgpabymaj1.htm

Good point. Compare the Biological Sciences row with the Humanities row...while it's true that these are still mean values and there are going to be some exceptions, it's pretty clear that you're not going to be at a disadvantage as a humanities major.

I'd major in what you enjoy most. If you are only moderately excited about bio but you still choose to major it and then go to medical school afterward, it's going to be a long eight years.

 

[acegsm]

Alright, I have one more question that comes to mind as of the moment. What are the average statistics for matriculates to UNR? I am an in state student (I have lived here my entire life.), however I am attending an out of state school. Will this make a difference?