Do medical schools accept the same percentage from every science-related major?

[livelifexlove]

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I don't know if this is a stupid question or not, I'm only a freshman, lol. Someone told me that med schools usually accept the same percentage of students from every science-related major (for ex. same percentage of bio majors as chem majors, etc.)

The problem is I don't know whether I should double major in sociology/biology, or major in sociology and minor in biology (there's no soc minor at my school). Anyone have any suggestions?

 

[armybound]

They do not discriminate based on major. I think the point of what you were told is that there is no preference for any particular major. There is no quota of chem majors and biology majors.

Do what you like doing, not what you think a med shcool wants.

And you shouldn't double major unless you absolutely love both subjects and can't live life without majoring in both.

 

[livelifexlove]

Yeah, I mean, I'm really interested in both Sociology and Biology. I would still take the pre-req's for medical school any everything. I just have a feeling my gpa would be better if I took a sociology-centered cirriculum.

Would this be seen as taking the "easy way out"? I know you said they don't discriminate against different majors, but won't it say something about what kind of applicant I am?

 

[armybound]

you'll say what kind of applicant you are by how you do in your classes and what you do outside of class, not what you major in.

 

[apumic]

Strictly speaking, no, not all science majors are accepted at the same rate. Bio majors are at a very slight disadvantage (a few % and probably not significant although it has been consistent over the years). The only majors at a true disadvantage are health sciences-type majors (i.e., BSN/nursing, "allied health," PT, etc.). Physical Sciences and humanities tend to do slightly better than other majors but the difference is so slight as to be almost indistinguishable.

 

[RunningDiva]

I don't know if this is a stupid question or not, I'm only a freshman, lol. Someone told me that med schools usually accept the same percentage of students from every science-related major (for ex. same percentage of bio majors as chem majors, etc.)

The problem is I don't know whether I should double major in sociology/biology, or major in sociology and minor in biology (there's no soc minor at my school). Anyone have any suggestions?

I was a soc major and loved it!!! I had all sorts of really interesting classes. I've had no problem getting an acceptance. In fact, its actually been an interesting interview topic. I've had interviewers ask me about specific classes and/or research projects. If you really like it - go for it. I don't believe its the "easy" way out. Besides, you will take the pre-reqs just the same as everybody else.

 

[tremulousNeedle]

Schools don’t pay that much attention to that statistic. If it happens to work out that way, it is most likely by coincidence. Honestly, the only reason I look at someone’s degree on AMCAS, is to have a conversation piece for the interview. Otherwise, I could care less.

-senior medical student / admissions committee interviewer.

 

[CatchingUp]

Strictly speaking, no, not all science majors are accepted at the same rate. Bio majors are at a very slight disadvantage (a few % and probably not significant although it has been consistent over the years). The only majors at a true disadvantage are health sciences-type majors (i.e., BSN/nursing, "allied health," PT, etc.). Physical Sciences and humanities tend to do slightly better than other majors but the difference is so slight as to be almost indistinguishable.

Hmmm...would you think Public Health would fall into this category? I'm strongly considering my University's Public Health major...many of the courses seem to mirror the MPH program they also offer. I have a keen interest in health policy and management. Not to mention, I've worked in management for the past decade or so. I would be taking practically all the required upper level courses of a bio major with the exception of senior seminar and a few electives.

 

[stevesavi]

I don't know if this is a stupid question or not, I'm only a freshman,lol. Someone told me that med schools usually accept the same percentage of students from every science-related major (for ex. same percentage of bio majors as chem majors, etc.)

The problem is I don't know whether I should double major in sociology/biology, or major in sociology and minor in biology (there's no soc minor at my school). Anyone have any suggestions?

Did you really laugh aloud at this? It seems a strange response.

 

[cpants]

Hmmm...would you think Public Health would fall into this category? I'm strongly considering my University's Public Health major...many of the courses seem to mirror the MPH program they also offer. I have a keen interest in health policy and management. Not to mention, I've worked in management for the past decade or so. I would be taking practically all the required upper level courses of a bio major with the exception of senior seminar and a few electives.

Nah, public health is actually a great major for premeds. The majors he was talking about are things like nursing, physical therapy, health technology....basically majors which train you for a career in healthcare other than MD.

 

[njbmd]

Strictly speaking, no, not all science majors are accepted at the same rate. Bio majors are at a very slight disadvantage (a few % and probably not significant although it has been consistent over the years). The only majors at a true disadvantage are health sciences-type majors (i.e., BSN/nursing, "allied health," PT, etc.). Physical Sciences and humanities tend to do slightly better than other majors but the difference is so slight as to be almost indistinguishable.

There is no advantage or disadvantage of having an allied health degree as a major. Medical school acceptance is very subjective meaning that the performance of the individual is the main criteria for consideration and not the subject matter of the major.

If you are a poor student in physical science, you are not going to get into medical school over a strong scholar in an allied health field as we don't care what your particular major is but we do care about your performance. Plenty of nursing and other healthcare students apply and are accepted into medical school if they have the grades and a competitive application. Plenty of physical science students are not accepted into medical school because they do not have the grades and a competitive application.

In short, major in any subject matter that you can perform well in and achieve a high degree of scholarship. Don't fall into the trap of taking a class or trying to major in a particular subject because you have been "told" or you "read somewhere" that it will be impressive to an admissions committee. The most "impressive" applicants have a high uGPA and MCAT scores without tons of "Ws" and retakes on the MCAT. Major in what you can do best and what will give you the tools to to well on the MCAT.

 

[cpants]

There is no advantage or disadvantage of having an allied health degree as a major. Medical school acceptance is very subjective meaning that the performance of the individual is the main criteria for consideration and not the subject matter of the major.

If you are a poor student in physical science, you are not going to get into medical school over a strong scholar in an allied health field as we don't care what your particular major is but we do care about your performance. Plenty of nursing and other healthcare students apply and are accepted into medical school if they have the grades and a competitive application. Plenty of physical science students are not accepted into medical school because they do not have the grades and a competitive application.

In short, major in any subject matter that you can perform well in and achieve a high degree of scholarship. Don't fall into the trap of taking a class or trying to major in a particular subject because you have been "told" or you "read somewhere" that it will be impressive to an admissions committee. The most "impressive" applicants have a high uGPA and MCAT scores without tons of "Ws" and retakes on the MCAT. Major in what you can do best and what will give you the tools to to well on the MCAT.

I agree with you to an extent, but I do think it is pretty dumb to major in nursing as a premed. I just don't see the point of majoring in something which prepares you for a career you don't intend to enter. Waste of time and money.