Declaring Major?

[aroen]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hello,
I know this is far off for me, but I was wondering do pre-meds normally declare themselves upon entering college. I know from a graduate of BU that they offer this "pre-med" major/ course-flow, and she says never declare you are pre-med since they put excess and unneeded pressure on you. Is this true? Do pre-meds normally/ Should they declare their major to be pre-med, or something else?

 

[Narmerguy]

Few schools have actual "premed" majors. You would major in "biology" but then you would also make sure you take premed classes. How some schools handle this varies. Some schools request that you identify yourself as a potential premed so that their premed committees and advisors can't help make sure you're taking the right courses or so that they can provide information to help prepare you for applying to medical school. Some schools take a "hands-off" approach and simply let premeds be until application season (for medical school).

As far as declaring your major, many schools don't let you declare your major until sophomore year unless your major has specific needs. Some do. Once again, it varies.

 

[pingouin]

Few schools have actual "premed" majors. You would major in "biology" but then you would also make sure you take premed classes. How some schools handle this varies. Some schools request that you identify yourself as a potential premed so that their premed committees and advisors can't help make sure you're taking the right courses or so that they can provide information to help prepare you for applying to medical school. Some schools take a "hands-off" approach and simply let premeds be until application season (for medical school).

As far as declaring your major, many schools don't let you declare your major until sophomore year unless your major has specific needs. Some do. Once again, it varies.

Just to clarify, you actually declare a major in whatever field you want to study- it doesn't have to be biology. (Narmer- I figured you picked bio as an example, but wanted to make sure it was clear to others..) Majors usually have to be declared by the start of your junior year, but that can be done earlier at most schools. I agree with Narmer that declaring yourself "pre-med" may give you some opportunities to get early clinical experiences if your school has arranged internships or volunteering in clinical settings.

And truthfully, all "pre-med" means is that you're planning on taking the eight core science classes (gen chem, organic, bio, physics) and their labs in order to take the MCAT and apply to med school. Maybe throw in a few English and social science classes for good measure since more and more schools are requiring some credits in those areas.

 

[Bacchus]

I also want to add if you do pick a science major then you will not have to worry about fitting in the required classes. Almost all scientific majors I can think of will require you to take the 4 distinct classes.

I do want to make a point on the "pre-med" major. If you go to a school that offers it, I would not take that major. When you graduate, and if you decide not to apply to medical school, you have a major that won't exactly help you.

 

[bookgodess15]

I totally agree with Bacchus. Don't major in Pre-Med. It's a one-path degree, and also, I think that you should take undergraduate years to explore different things (of course, I know that a lot of schools have required courses for all students, like English and philosophy and such, but nonetheless). Who knows? Maybe you'll find that art history is really your life's calling.

Also, I have a question regarding major. I read somewhere, can't remember where, that non-science majors who apply to medical school actually have an edge. There were a couple reasons listed, but the ones that I remember are that it makes you stand out, and that there's a better chance that your science GPA will be high. Any feedback on this idea?

I have no idea what to major in. I do love biology, but if I find something that really interests me that isn't science, should I go with it for undergrad as a major, or just minor in it and keep a science major? Frankly, I think the best option would be a double-major, but I'm not the expert in these matters...

 

[Narmerguy]

I have no idea what to major in. I do love biology, but if I find something that really interests me that isn't science, should I go with it for undergrad as a major, or just minor in it and keep a science major? Frankly, I think the best option would be a double-major, but I'm not the expert in these matters...

No, major in what you truly enjoy. Whether or not you'll have an edge because you're nonscience is debatable but most would agree that if you're majoring in something you don't truly enjoy you will not perform as well.

Just to clarify, you actually declare a major in whatever field you want to study- it doesn't have to be biology. (Narmer- I figured you picked bio as an example, but wanted to make sure it was clear to others..)

Yeah 🙂 Sorry for the possible confusion.

 

[Bacchus]

I totally agree with Bacchus. Don't major in Pre-Med. It's a one-path degree, and also, I think that you should take undergraduate years to explore different things (of course, I know that a lot of schools have required courses for all students, like English and philosophy and such, but nonetheless). Who knows? Maybe you'll find that art history is really your life's calling.

Also, I have a question regarding major. I read somewhere, can't remember where, that non-science majors who apply to medical school actually have an edge. There were a couple reasons listed, but the ones that I remember are that it makes you stand out, and that there's a better chance that your science GPA will be high. Any feedback on this idea?

I have no idea what to major in. I do love biology, but if I find something that really interests me that isn't science, should I go with it for undergrad as a major, or just minor in it and keep a science major? Frankly, I think the best option would be a double-major, but I'm not the expert in these matters...

About your second paragraph... I think this is a propogated myth that hasn't been truly studied yet to know the true effects. It may make you stand out, but so will the student that does something equivalent to the non-science major's shock value.

Also, not pursuing a science major can give your BCMP a hard bump if you don't do well in a few science courses. However, in my case, my GPA will remain rather stagnant because I have so many credits involved with my BCMP. Obviously, BCMP should not be in your mind when picking major.

 

[ladyoflies]

Also, I have a question regarding major. I read somewhere, can't remember where, that non-science majors who apply to medical school actually have an edge. There were a couple reasons listed, but the ones that I remember are that it makes you stand out, and that there's a better chance that your science GPA will be high. Any feedback on this idea?

I don't necessary think it's a non-science major that sets you apart. As long as you can talk about why you majored in something passionately, it doesn't matter what field it's in.

OP, like the others have said, most schools don't require you to declare until the end of sophomore/beginning of junior year. That said, if you're dead set on a major, you can usually look up the courses you need to take for it, and take them without declaring that major. That way if you end up hating it after taking a few courses, you can always switch without going through the hassle of undeclaring and redeclaring etc.

 

[Thrombomodulin]

.