Don't know what to major in college

[masterMood]

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I'm a senior in high school and I'm getting acceptances now and I'm not really sure what major I want to do.

I'm an overall well-balanced student in all the subjects, not really strong in any subject but just above average in all the subjects (like bio, chemistry, physics, math, and english).

I've already taken AP Chem, AP Physics, AP Calc BC, and AP English.

and I will be retaking these classes again in college (better understanding and requirements for med school).

However, if I do not make it into med. school (whether it be distractions, change of venue whatever), what are some good majors i can go into (for practical uses).

I'm not that strong at engineering, but I was thikning something in business (like accountant major???), and dentistry and pharmacy would probably be out because they are already tough to get into (and they know when they see a failed pre-med). If i majored in bio i could become a research scientist, but I'm not really interest in that or becoming a teacher (would be ultimatum)

I'm good at math but not that really analytical and perceptive as the physics types of people.

Any suggestions for a major for a well-rounded student?

 

[kansas]

Sounds like you have analyzed this one from every angle.

The good news is that you do not have to declare a major right away in college. And, if you do, you can always change it. If I were you, I would start out with some pre-reqs for medical school and gen ed classes, and just get a feel for what you are interested in and good at. When it is right, you will know.

This is a pretty important decision, because you will want to do something you love for the rest of your life... at least until you retire.

I don't think that people look at pre-meds who changed their career paths as "failures" at all. I actually have a great respect for them. I would rather not have people who aren't passionate about health care treating me when I am sick.

It sounds to me like you need to chill out a little bit and just take life one day at a time. You have so much time.

 

[Quentin Quinn]

I'm good at math but not that really analytical and perceptive as the physics types of people.

Any suggestions for a major for a well-rounded student?

You sound a lot like myself entering college. I "forced" myself into an engineering-physics education, and it was a poor fit, since I lack the mechanical aptitude required, particularly in classes like statics or deformable body mechanics.

I know it seems exceptionally obvious as a solution, but why not math or statistics? Another good option may be econ or finance, with a focus on quant analysis.

In any event, don't be in a huge rush to choose, and if you are unsure, just spend your first year exploring a wide variety of interests. And choose something you really love... not simply b/c the major has good career prospects or encompasses the premed requirements.

 

[Will Ferrell]

Go for chemistry. It's not as hardcore as engineering/math/physics and good jobs aren't hard to get with a degree in it (unlike most humanities/social sciences).

 

[erin682]

Get in and try some different subjects out to see what you like. I agree with Will Ferrell though Chem is a good major if you end up not going to med school. JObs available to chem majors on average pay much higher than a bio major would. (This is coming from a bio major). But if you don't like chem then that would be a foolish choice.

 

[cheapdate]

Major in biomedical engineering 🙂

 

[AStudent]

You can have ANY major and get into medical school so pick one that fits your interests and desires. I'd say ~90% major in Chem, Physics, Bio, etc. But having a non traditional major makes you look great to the admissions committee. (especially if it's a choice between 5 students of biology or one, say, econ major I'd recommend psychology because it gives you a broad background and....from what I've been told my numerous people....isn't the most difficult major in the world. (no offense to anyone, just repeating what I've been told)

I got a BA in Chemistry because I only have to take three other classes outside the "typical" premed course load to get a degree. That way each semester I got to take pretty much any liberal arts/elective class I wanted.

Classes I've taken:
-Genetics
-Health Care Ethics
-Physio 1
-Biochem (suprisingly not required for my major, but is for most med schools)
-Psychology
-Abnormal Psychology
-Scuba Diving
-Marching Band (4 years)
-Wind Symphony
-Music Theory 1
-Philosophy
-Logic and Ethics

So pick a major that gives you a diverse choice of classes to take so that you can "round" yourself.

 

[synapse lapse]

You have plenty of time to find a major, why worry about it now? Take some classes, see how college is, and you will figure it out, everyone does. Perspectives and priorities change over time, and undoubtedly so will your choice of major. Anyhow, Dentistry and Pharm aren't nearly as competitive as medicine, and they are certianly less so than business school (in business school you really need to go to a top school to get a good position afterwards). Anyhow, just do whatever you like. I know you think that a practical degree may be the way to go, but truth is, you should spend your time studying something you enjoy and would want to do, not something tha will make you money that you hate.

 

[masterMood]

Thanks for all the comments, I was looking at biomedical engineering and that looked appealling, its just that like the 3rd poster said (Quentin_quinn), i'm strong in math, just not strong in the physics/engineering realm of mathetmatics (too abstract I think then hardcore algebra if anything). I'm definitely interested in the sciences, but just not the

So anything that has the term, engineering in it scares me because it sounds too abstract and conceptual to me.

You did recommend biomedical engineering, however, did you mentino that because it might fit someone like me?

 

[sidewalkman]

For each school you get accepted to, I suggest finding out how long you can wait before you have to declare a major, and how easy it is to change majors once you declare one.

I agree that chem is a good major b/c you can get a job immediately with it, and most every school has it (you can't major in engineering at every school). Bio's not the worst thing to major in, as a lot of companies will hire people with any science degree, but there are better options if you want to cash right out of college.

Psychology can easily be a difficult major. I say that because it was one of my majors and I screwed up in undergrad grades-wise. Now, sociology, THAT'S a good, easy major. Really easy to get a great GPA there with minimum effort, the classes are pre-med free, and they're pretty interesting. Only do it if you rocked the pre-med courses, though, becuase it's pretty useless in terms of translating it into a job.

 

[stifler]

major in underage drinking. lol dude dont worry about it yet man. wait till you get into college first. you might find out the major you are interested in is too hard and will destroy your gpa. get a general feel of things first then decide.

 

[Quentin Quinn]

major in underage drinking. lol dude dont worry about it yet man. wait till you get into college first. you might find out the major you are interested in is too hard and will destroy your gpa. get a general feel of things first then decide.

I tried that once upon a time, didn't work too well!! Ended up with a couple underage drinking tickets, got the boot from my first college (thanks to a stellar 1.7ish gpa), and spent a year back in community college before getting back on track.

 

[stoic]

go to college. have fun. study what interest you. if you do the things you need to be a good applicant, it doesn't matter what your major is.

good luck,
s

 

[Iwy Em Hotep]

i'm strong in math, just not strong in the physics/engineering realm of mathetmatics (too abstract I think then hardcore algebra if anything).

Why not CS? Or Econ?

 

[lemurlover]

follow your bliss. and it may not be medicine....but if it is..

schools get lots of bio and chem majors who are 22 whose parents are docs who don't seem to quite know why they are there. it's fine to major in the sci's, just know your motivations well.

i majored in philosophy and literature. schools that have interviewed me were impressed that i can use both sides of my brain. (is that rare? uh oh!)

psychology with a bio minor might be great. help you understand folks better. biochem and psych would be way interesting...to me. but this is about you! 🙂

explore! you are so young. dig deep and suck the marrow out of life.

 

[lane]

major in whatever you want - just make sure you fulfill each med school's pre-reqs though.

i'd also definitely recommend taking biochem, anatomy, and physiology (and maybe microbio and immunology) just so you have a basic understanding before entering med school - every little thing you know coming in can only help you

 

[Dr.Mantix]

Well...it's a tough call, but an undergrad degree is just that - an undergrad degree. It's not necessarily the end-all be-all, but it does set you on a certain path to "sealing your Fate" (for lack of better words).

I'd say biomedical engineering or engineering science would be ideal esp. for fulfilling pre-med requirements, but if you don't want to go that route, I'd probably stick with Biology or Chemistry.

Just my 2 cents. 😎

 

[cheapdate]

Thanks for all the comments, I was looking at biomedical engineering and that looked appealling, its just that like the 3rd poster said (Quentin_quinn), i'm strong in math, just not strong in the physics/engineering realm of mathetmatics (too abstract I think then hardcore algebra if anything). I'm definitely interested in the sciences, but just not the

So anything that has the term, engineering in it scares me because it sounds too abstract and conceptual to me.

You did recommend biomedical engineering, however, did you mentino that because it might fit someone like me?

I don't know where you are from, but at my University, it's one of the toughest major to get into and one of the toughest major to be in. Strong emphasis on research, independent learning, and a lot of application of engineering principles. Hope that's some help.

 

[RAwe]

Do what you like the most - find something - even if you hate everything and just do well in it and study hard for the MCAT's

 

[PineappleGirl]

Real World Perspective:
A math major is really good in terms of translating into a decent paying job right out of ugrad. An acquaintance of mine majored in math and was hired as an actuary right after graduation. Her salary started at around 60k. The company my Dad works for also actively recruits math majors to work as actuaries. Maybe a major in math and a minor in accounting or finance.

Applying to Med School Perspective:
Choose a major you know you can do well in and rock it. Major in whatever you're passionate about, devoted to, and know you can ace so you can graduate with a killler GPA.
I majored in history because of this and it was great for my GPA, but in terms of translating into a real job, forget it. I often wish I had majored in bio or chem just to have a more healthcare related job.

But, what others are saying is right on, you usually don't have to declare your major right away and during your first year or two of college you can experiement with different classes to see what you like and do well in, and then choose your major based on this.

 

[myodana]

MAJOR IN WHAT YOU LIKE. it doesn't really matter for med school as long as you take all your prerequisites and do well. major in something that makes you happy, and if you want, double major or declare a minor! i was a double in dance and biology with a minor in chemistry, and i was happy as a clam.