Changing Major to Physics

[cloudmurder1]

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[deleted577188]

Okaaay..........

 

[cloudmurder1]

Okaaay..........

I'm seeking legitimate advice. Please tell me how you found this to be cocky.

 

[deleted577188]

I'm seeking legitimate advice. Please tell me how you found this to be cocky.

I didn't say that because you seem cocky. I said that because you didn't follow up with a question. No one on here, nor do ADCOMs care about your major. Do whatever you like, just don't risk doing bad in it because you like it.

 

[cloudmurder1]

What do you want to do within medicine and what would you want to do if medicine doesn't work out?

I was thinking radiology if I'm lucky, if not, then maybe cardiology, but I'm honestly not too sure about specialties right now. Why do you ask?

 

[Lawpy]

So I'm thinking about changing my major from Materials Science and Engineering to Physics. This is for several reasons, I think I'm better at Physics than Chemistry (though I'm not bad at chem just not amazing as evidenced by orgo), I'll need fewer credit hours to finish my degree with premed classes, and I've done quite well in Calc-based E&M physics (AP'd out of Physics I) as well as Calc 2, 3, and DiffEq. I realize that upper-level physics classes are harder than the aforementioned ones, but if I'm willing to sit down and keep up-to-date with the material each day and do practice problems each day, and if I like doing complex physics/math problems most of the time, would I be able to be successful? Also, I'd probably be able to take lighter loads each semester (<= 15 hrs), and graduate within 4 years total.

Also for what it's worth, I am an SI for E&M Physics

Physics is harder than engineering. There were engineers in my physics classes who struggled far worse than physics majors. The professor simply responded: "Some of you are unaware that this is a physics class, not an engineering class". Physics major isn't easy, even if you feel confident. The problem set is very difficult and requires careful planning, such that you're basically screwed if you messed up halfway. I'm happy you like physics but make sure you put a lot of time into it.

Also, do try to pursue research opportunities in the physics department. It will help you out in the long run. As long as you are dedicated, you can succeed with a high GPA as a physics major.

@mimelim can help you out on how physics is useful in medicine, if you're interested. Radonc is one, but physics apparently is widespread in any specialty.

 

[cloudmurder1]

I didn't say that because you seem cocky. I said that because you didn't follow up with a question. No one on here, nor do ADCOMs care about your major. Do whatever you like, just don't risk doing bad in it because you like it.[/QUOTE/QUOTE]

I'm trying to see what a physica major is actually like. I've heard that there is a lot to consider before majoring in physics

 

[Trailyy]

Upper level physics classes are also very different from each other with very little overlap. That is, what you learn in thermal may not necessarily make your life in quantum easier. However, each class slowly builds your critical problem solving skills, which is invaluable in later classes.

I'd say that if you are interested in physics enough so that you can study without burning out, then go for it. I ultimately did well with my physics degree, but I would have bombed if I declared a humanities major.

 

[soccerusa]

So I'm thinking about changing my major from Materials Science and Engineering to Physics. This is for several reasons, I think I'm better at Physics than Chemistry (though I'm not bad at chem just not amazing as evidenced by orgo), I'll need fewer credit hours to finish my degree with premed classes, and I've done quite well in Calc-based E&M physics (AP'd out of Physics I) as well as Calc 2, 3, and DiffEq. I realize that upper-level physics classes are harder than the aforementioned ones, but if I'm willing to sit down and keep up-to-date with the material each day and do practice problems each day, and if I like doing complex physics/math problems most of the time, would I be able to be successful? Also, I'd probably be able to take lighter loads each semester (<= 15 hrs), and graduate within 4 years total.

Also for what it's worth, I am an SI for E&M Physics

Edit: should I do this?

N=1 here from a physics major darting med school this summer - physics is hard. I didn't realize it until my last few semesters but those upper div classes are absolute killers. I had 4.0 through first two years including all med shool prereqs and I found a few of my last physics classes to be almost impossible. If you are way more interested do it, but just be forewarned. Also maybe your department is different then mine but definitely talk to some older Phys majors and see what they have experienced.

 

[cloudmurder1]

N=1 here from a physics major darting med school this summer - physics is hard. I didn't realize it until my last few semesters but those upper div classes are absolute killers. I had 4.0 through first two years including all med shool prereqs and I found a few of my last physics classes to be almost impossible. If you are way more interested do it, but just be forewarned. Also maybe your department is different then mine but definitely talk to some older Phys majors and see what they have experienced.

Yeah, that's what I figured. Would doing physics as a major as opposed to applied physics as a major make a difference?

 

[ShowandTell]

In my experience, applied physics is just a major where you can use other sciences/engineering to substitute for your upper level physics electives. Applied physics would help you land a post-grad job then as you'd be able to bring some computer science/engineering skills to your resume. If you legitimately like physics, I would do the standard program as it allows pretty good flexibility with taking courses in whatever physics field you want and having them all count towards graduation. Even if you know you're interested in biophysics for example, I'd still do standard because you would have the option of taking those same biophysics courses to graduate, but you'd have the option to change your mind and take other courses instead. The last thing I'd add is that standard physics will require more math courses than applied. Good luck.

 

[dechristine]

I LOVE PHYSICS! I have been able to keep a high GPA in physics, although I also realize that I spend a lot more time working on my academics vs. my friends who are ChemE's, MechE's, other physics majors, etc. I will say that I think physics is more challenging than chemistry in general — not only due to the math involved (I honestly don't think the math is that bad because they usually try to simplify it) but also because of the concepts. Concepts are so central to physics and I think the thing that makes physics more challenging than many other science majors is that on exams, you not only have to decipher what concepts the questions are asking for but you also have to do all of the math right. On the bright side, the difficulty of physics classes often makes other prereqs seem easier in comparison.

Calc 1-3 and DiffEq's is great! You'll also want to take Linear Algebra (which I think is easier than Calc3/DiffEq) because that's also heavily used. Being a physics major has been immensely rewarding for me because I absolutely love how the equations you learn describe everything you observe in the physical world (except Quantum, in which apparently everything you observe is wrong). I have turned into one of those people who think that some equations are beautiful. I used to think those people were crazy but I guess they got to me 😕. I think the difficulty of physics vs. engineering classes all comes down to your professors. When I took thermo, I thought it was fine, but my ChemE friends almost died because their professor took pride in the fact that the class average on his exams were in the low 30's.

 

[cloudmurder1]

I LOVE PHYSICS! I have been able to keep a high GPA in physics, although I also realize that I spend a lot more time working on my academics vs. my friends who are ChemE's, MechE's, other physics majors, etc. I will say that I think physics is more challenging than chemistry in general — not only due to the math involved (I honestly don't think the math is that bad because they usually try to simplify it) but also because of the concepts. Concepts are so central to physics and I think the thing that makes physics more challenging than many other science majors is that on exams, you not only have to decipher what concepts the questions are asking for but you also have to do all of the math right. On the bright side, the difficulty of physics classes often makes other prereqs seem easier in comparison.

Calc 1-3 and DiffEq's is great! You'll also want to take Linear Algebra (which I think is easier than Calc3/DiffEq) because that's also heavily used. Being a physics major has been immensely rewarding for me because I absolutely love how the equations you learn describe everything you observe in the physical world (except Quantum, in which apparently everything you observe is wrong). I have turned into one of those people who think that some equations are beautiful. I used to think those people were crazy but I guess they got to me 😕. I think the difficulty of physics vs. engineering classes all comes down to your professors. When I took thermo, I thought it was fine, but my ChemE friends almost died because their professor took pride in the fact that the class average on his exams were in the low 30's.

Also, I forgot to mention that Calc II at my school includes Linear Algebra. However, I'll have to go back and relearn it because I don't remember much of it. I think I would like physics a lot and be willing to sit down and put a lot of time into solving complex problems, but at the same time, I don't want it to be an insurmountable challenge that makes me feel completely incompetent compared to everyone else in the major.

To be more accurate about myself, I should mention a class where I struggle more: orgo 1. Right now, I'm fighting to keep my A having just performed mediocrely on the test I had today, and may even lose it after the final exam. Do you know if a premed-physics major would typically ace every prereq, including orgo?

 

[soccerusa]

Yeah, that's what I figured. Would doing physics as a major as opposed to applied physics as a major make a difference?

My guess would be that this is school dependent. At my school, I found that the applied (think biomedical) physics courses have been easier, but I think that is largely because there are chemistry and biomedical engineering majors in there who aren't really equipped to handle the high level math that I think makes the upper div courses so difficult. On the other hand, if all it takes is one or two tough professors teaching applied physics courses and you could be sunk. I think the moral of the story is to investigate the major at your school thoroughly and then decide if you are willing to put in the work needed.

I found many interviewers to really enjoy discussing my reasons for majoring in physics and my interest in the subject. I'm not saying it really gives you any "bonus points" but is certainly less common and allows you to demonstrate that you have very high level quantitative skills which are not always present across the board in medical school applicants.

 

[dechristine]

Also, I forgot to mention that Calc II at my school includes Linear Algebra. However, I'll have to go back and relearn it because I don't remember much of it. I think I would like physics a lot and be willing to sit down and put a lot of time into solving complex problems, but at the same time, I don't want it to be an insurmountable challenge that makes me feel completely incompetent compared to everyone else in the major.

To be more accurate about myself, I should mention a class where I struggle more: orgo 1. Right now, I'm fighting to keep my A having just performed mediocrely on the test I had today, and may even lose it after the final exam. Do you know if a premed-physics major would typically ace every prereq, including orgo?

It's definitely not a rule that physics majors do well on other prereqs. I personally had A-'s in Organic 1&2 despite having A's in upper level physics classes, and one of my friends in physics had a B in Organic 1. Physics people are people too, haha. I just find that I don't have to spend as much time studying and doing homework in other prereq classes as I do completing problem sets and studying for physics classes. No one can tell you whether or not you'll do well in physics because how you do really depends on how much time you put into it!

I think that the biomedical physics track might be easier — in my school they don't have to take Quantum (which I think is dumb because how are they supposed to know how MRIs work if they don't understand quantum mechanics??). P.S. I wouldn't worry so much about needing to get an A vs. A- in Organic — I spent waaaaay too much time obsessing over GPA earlier in college and have realized that 1) an A- isn't a bad grade, and 2) one A- will not bring down your GPA that much. Some employers actually look at very high GPAs with suspicion because they figure there has to be something wrong with you if you have such a high GPA 🙄

 

[mimelim]

So I'm thinking about changing my major from Materials Science and Engineering to Physics. This is for several reasons, I think I'm better at Physics than Chemistry (though I'm not bad at chem just not amazing as evidenced by orgo), I'll need fewer credit hours to finish my degree with premed classes, and I've done quite well in Calc-based E&M physics (AP'd out of Physics I) as well as Calc 2, 3, and DiffEq. I realize that upper-level physics classes are harder than the aforementioned ones, but if I'm willing to sit down and keep up-to-date with the material each day and do practice problems each day, and if I like doing complex physics/math problems most of the time, would I be able to be successful? Also, I'd probably be able to take lighter loads each semester (<= 15 hrs), and graduate within 4 years total.

Also for what it's worth, I am an SI for E&M Physics

Edit: should I do this?


Edit2: If I do switch, I'd do just regular physics instead of applied physics. Does this make a difference?

I'm not sure what your questions are exactly, but taking a stab in the dark...

Being a Physics major will at most marginally help you in getting into medical school. 'Harder' major, better MCAT prep, whatever you want to call it, at best marginal.

It will not outright harm you, unless you would be better served GPA wise in another major. Some people, myself included, would have likely have had a lower GPA outside of Physics because Physics is what I enjoyed doing. This is not true for everyone and it certainly is institution dependent. You should be whatever major is in the field that you are most interested in.

Applied Physics vs. standard Physics is entirely institution dependent.

 

[LoveIR]

Do the major that will get you the best GPA. If you're passionate about Physics and that will translate to better grades, do it.

As a 4th year med student who has been involved with the adcom, we don't care what you major in, just that you did well.

I am going into Radiology and wish I had a stronger physics background, but wouldn't have traded that for a significantly lower GPA. They'll teach you relevant physics in Rads residency.

Good luck! 🙂

 

[NeuResurgens]

It comes down to your love for the subject. Yes, physics is hard, and I would be doing terribly as a physics major because I hate physics. But if you love physics, then you would likely get good grades in physics and you would be successful. Doing what you like generally translates into more success, since your interest in the subject keeps you thinking about it outside normal school hours, which affords better retention of the material. I've found myself thinking of anatomy/physiology concepts just randomly out of the blue because I enjoy it so much, and my brain naturally jumps to it if something reminds me of it in my every day life. The same will occur for you and physics if you enjoy it that much.

 

[RedPhys]

If you know you want to study medicine,
but you also like physics, and you think you will do well enough in Physics for it not to torpedo your chances to medical school,
then go for it.

I found it to be a great subject to study.