Does Major matter?

[evelycious]

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Hi guys,

I've been a biology major, and going to my 3rd year for undergrad now, I don't have very good science grades...is it a better idea to switch majors since my GPA doesn't show that I'm very good at it? (I get much better grades in humanities classes) Would it be a better idea to retake some of the undergrad science classes just to show that I can do better and stay as a Bio major? I've heard that people with science majors tend to get a better chance of getting in optometry school too, is that true?


I'd be grateful for some advice also. Thanks!

-Evelyn

 

[JMU07]

Major doesn't matter, and I wouldn't say that science majors have a better chance.. but the schools do see that they have a strong science background which is important. No matter what you major in you still have to take the pre-reqs, so they'll see how you are in science classes.

I would advise you to major in whatever you really enjoy, because it'll help your GPA. And they'll know that you do well in subjects you really like. However, you do have to take a number of bio classes again in OD school so they might worry about your low bio grades. Contact the schools you're interested in and see what kind of advice they have for you.

 

[Oogilily]

I agree with the above. Most of the time you have to calculate a seperate pre-req GPA (which is mostly science classes) so they will see how you do in science courses either way. I also agree that it doesn't matter what major you get and majoring in science doesn't improve your chances into OD school.

 

[KHE]

I agree with the above. Most of the time you have to calculate a seperate pre-req GPA (which is mostly science classes) so they will see how you do in science courses either way. I also agree that it doesn't matter what major you get and majoring in science doesn't improve your chances into OD school.

I couldn't disagree with this statement more.

Of COURSE your major matters. It is true that there is no major required for admission and anyone who has a degree in anything can apply as long as they meet the pre-requisite requirements. But let's face facts here....optometry is a science based profession and the majority of the courses taken in optometry school have and require significant background in the scientific method and the understanding of many scientific concepts.

Naturally, someone with a 3.4 GPA in a hard science major is going to get a lot more consideration of their application than someone with a 3.4 GPA in "communications" or some other less rigorous major. (No offense to the communications majors out there but I've taken some communications classes and they simply don't compare.)

So to say that your major doesn't matter is incredibly inaccurate.

 

[Oogilily]

I guess what I should have said is that most entering optometry students are biology or other science related majors. But, there are still many students who enter optometry school with a major other than science. Although I do agree that science degrees are harder and succes in a science degree shows more acedemic aptitude, you can major in other areas and still get accepted into optometry school So it can be done, but keep in mind that the large majority of students entering into optometry school do have a science degree. I dont' know, but I guess KHE knows better than I that optometry schools take a science degree more into account. I'd be inclined to agree with that in the context of my statement above.

 

[butterfly413]

to echo what everyone else has said... opt schools won't deny you just bc you aren't a science major. but in the end, after taking all the pre-reqs, you might as well just stick with it. i'm one of those pre-med switched to soc-sci majors - but i did it because i figured i'd never have the chance to learn certain things aside from college, as well as i wasn't planning on opt school back then. my advice is to study what you enjoy, and to do the best you can in whatever it is.

my non-science gpa is obviously a bit better than my science gpa, BUT remember that schools are also taking into consideration how well you do on the OATs, experience, etc., not JUST your major/GPA. i guess i lucked out and did pretty well on my OATs, so that helped me!

 

[BYUIDoctor]

Some would argue that being a business major is the wisest decision. You will get the science background you need with your pre-requisites. If you needed more to do well in optometry school, they would require more. True, those students who are biology/science majors will probably not have to study as much in optometry school, but they will either have to learn on their own, or hire someone to run their business when their done with their 4 yours. Of course if you're headed into commercial then this doesn't apply.

That said, I'm not a business major....I wish I would have been!

 

[goomba29]

straight from ICO's website

Does it matter what major I choose for my undergraduate study?
No. A specific major is not required for admission. Typically the most popular majors are in the biological sciences, however many ICO students have had majors in a variety of areas. Please refer to the most recent Entering Class Profile for the most popular majors among the current first year class.

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Majors. [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Biological Sciences. [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]70%. [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif](112). [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Health Sciences. [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]8%. [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif](12). [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Psychology/Sociology. [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]7%. [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif](11). [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Chemistry. [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]5%. [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif](8). [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Other. [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]10%. [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif](17). [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif](Business, Education, Engineering, Physics, etc.).

I would have to say that you don't have to be a science major but it definitely doesn't hurt your chances (look at the trend)

If you do major in something else I would at least minor in Biology and take a few upper level biology classes like genetics, anatomy and physiology, molecular and cellular biology and microbiology since they're topics on the OAT and you DON'T want to do the bare minimum in terms of prerequisites

 

[goomba29]

I couldn't disagree with this statement more.

Of COURSE your major matters. It is true that there is no major required for admission and anyone who has a degree in anything can apply as long as they meet the pre-requisite requirements. But let's face facts here....optometry is a science based profession and the majority of the courses taken in optometry school have and require significant background in the scientific method and the understanding of many scientific concepts.

Naturally, someone with a 3.4 GPA in a hard science major is going to get a lot more consideration of their application than someone with a 3.4 GPA in "communications" or some other less rigorous major. (No offense to the communications majors out there but I've taken some communications classes and they simply don't compare.)

So to say that your major doesn't matter is incredibly inaccurate.

Adding on to what KHE said they're going to want to see that you handled a vigorous work load (meaning not taking the bare minimum to be a full time student every semester in undergrad)

If you overload and take 20-25 credits a few semesters in a row and do well they'll be very impressed

 

[Oogilily]

I've taken on average about 14 a semester and got accepted on the spot. Taking 20-25 credit hours is not necessary to get into optometry school. I think schools are looking for a good, well-rounded person that can do well acedemically and hold himself up in social situations too. You are going to be talking to people for the rest of your life in this field 🙂. More importantly, in my opinion, is just get good grades, do some extracurricular stuff, nail your OAT and you should do pretty well getting into a school. That's about all I did and I have gotten in just fine. Be confident and do well in school!

 

[eyestrain]

If you overload and take 20-25 credits a few semesters in a row and do well they'll be very impressed

Why the hell would anyone want to do that? Sure they'll be impressed, but you know what? They'll also be impressed with 15 credits at a decent GPA.

 

[alleigh79]

If you do major in something else I would at least minor in Biology and take a few upper level biology classes like genetics, anatomy and physiology, molecular and cellular biology and microbiology since they're topics on the OAT and you DON'T want to do the bare minimum in terms of prerequisites[/quote]


Genetics is on the OAT? So I should definately take it if I can?

 

[alleigh79]

Apparently I don't know how to "quote" - see Goomba29 above....😳

 

[richard86]

IMO, I don't think you HAVE to be a science major. I'm unsure if it gives you an edge. However, I did read a recent article in the NY times about how some medical schools show a preference towards humanities/social science majors since they like applicants with greater diversity (not sure if this applies to Opt school though). I am actually a Psychology major and a biology minor, but I have taken some extra science courses beyond the bare minimum of pre-reqs. I think that is a good idea if you don't plan on majoring in a science. Additionally, I don't think you should have to take 20-25 credits a semester. The most I took was 18, which included 3 sciences classes with labs, and I found it to be a difficult semester. I think it would be wise to take 2-3 science classes a semester, instead of just 1, to show optometry schools that you can handle the work though..Just strive to maintain a 3.4ish (or higher) and I think you'll be fine. However, I am still a pre-opt and haven't been accepted anywhere yet so..

 

[butterfly413]

alleigh79 - i wouldn't worry too much about genetics. i don't remember having anything that you wouldn't learn in a gen bio course.

and i'd have to echo oogilily on this one - schools are definitely looking for well-rounded individuals. all the doctors that i have worked with have echoed this sentiment - just because someone is a genius does NOT mean they can talk to people - which is kinda important in optometry.... i haven't been accepted yet either, but i've been happily surprised with an invite to interview at suny, so this is from my own experience.

 

[JMU07]

Wow, I've never taken 20 credits in undergrad, that's not even allowed here unelss you go through this tedious process where you get like 5 overrides to take that many credits. Definitely don't recommend it.

Also, I'm a biology minor too and I think it's a great idea for non-science majors. You end up taking other bio classes in addition to your prereqs which ends up helping on the OAT. I never took genetics and I don't remember seeing any on the test, except for maybe a punnett square or something else you learn in basic bio.

 

[goomba29]

Why the hell would anyone want to do that? Sure they'll be impressed, but you know what? They'll also be impressed with 15 credits at a decent GPA.

yea that's my point exactly. I'm not suggesting that everyone go out there and take that many credits but you're going to impress adcoms if you can take that many and still pull off a great gpa...especially if you're trying to make up for a poor one.

btw i'm passing on information I was told straight from an admissions counselor last year.

Genetics is on the OAT? So I should definately take it if I can?

I would think that it's only basic fundamentals of it like Mendel's laws, can anyone confirm?

Everything in two semesters of Biology should prepare you for the OAT but the upper level courses will reinforce everything you've learned in that one introductory year.