Double Major or Major and minor?

[BDNF]

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I typed in double major and got a bunch of previous topics, I read them all. But my question is more specific.

Double Major in two sciences (Biology and Neuroscience)? or Major in a science, and minor in a humanity(Biology and psychology)? At this point, Both take up the same amount of units, so I figure I might as well get a double major. Outside of thinking about medschools, what do you guys think? psychology and neuroscience are sort of similar in certain respects, i'm exposed to both either way.

In regards to med schools: Don't ad coms prefer diversity over pure science? In which case it may be better for me to do the minor?

Either way, I enjoy both, so its not a matter of "picking which you like better/ stop trying to please med schools" 🙂.

Thoughts?

 

[Quix]

1) Social sciences are different than the humanities.
2) Medical schools don't care about major.
3) You can show your well-roundedness by the courses you take, not the major/minor combination you have.

 

[jane123]

I'm a second year with a double major in Biology and Sociology. I dropped Biology as my second major two days ago because I heard that medical schools don't really care. What matters is that you get A's in whatever major you pick. I mean if you get straight A's on both without worries then go for it, but for me it was hard double majoring as well as doing all the ECs I wanted to do. What sucked is that I had 6 more classes left to finish my Biology major lol
eh, my peace of mind is worth more and I feel ten times lighter. 😀

 

[MilkmanAl]

I double majored in biology and astrophysics, and it certainly hurt my GPA. The workload was immense even though I took 9 semesters and had a ton of credit coming into school. I was extremely interested in physics, and I didn't feel I should compromise my education to make my numbers look better. That said, I would advise against double majoring unless you're 1) passionate about both subjects and 2) absolutely positive that you can cope with the deluge of work you're sure to get.

 

[physicsnerd42]

No med school will care. Why don't you just choose one major and take a bunch of classes for fun? If those extra classes give you a minor, then great; if not, then you took a bunch of cool classes.

 

[SweetButterfly]

Okay so I guess Ill add my question here. My universities premed is pretty much biology. NO joke. It just lacks a couple of classes. I want to major in a language and take the premed courses but since I could add a couple of more classes do you think I should go ahead and major in both?

 

[physicsnerd42]

I want to major in a language and take the premed courses but since I could add a couple of more classes do you think I should go ahead and major in both?

If they're classes you would enjoy, sure, go ahead. If you have to learn plant taxonomy or some other boring crap, I say it's not worth it. But, I find it hard to believe that biology = premed + a couple of classes. Premend = 2 years of chem, 1 year of physics, and 1 year of biology. If by "a couple" you mean six extra classes, then I'd say it's not really worth it.

 

[MilkmanAl]

It depends on your definition of "a couple more classes" and how intense your workload is. If you need 2 more classes and currently have plenty of spare time after finishing your work, go for it, if you want to. I agree with physicsnerd, but I'll take his statement a step further; don't take classes you don't think you'll enjoy unless you have to. Applying to med school sucks enough without slogging through more classes you don't want to be in.

edit: Crossposted. RAWR!

 

[BDNF]

1) Social sciences are different than the humanities.
2) Medical schools don't care about major.
3) You can show your well-roundedness by the courses you take, not the major/minor combination you have.

Right, thanks. Well my question still pertains with science vs. social sciences.

Point 3 explains a lot. Thanks again.

 

[physicsnerd42]

One more thing: I (and most of my classmates) was never a typical pre-med and I've never been a fan of the typical pre-med mentality. Most pre-meds are myopic when it comes to life and college: all they can see is the goal (med school) and lose sight of all the cool things that are around them. College is a time for you to explore, both academically and socially. College is a time to become a human being, not a time to just try to shape your CV into what you think med school admissions people want to see. If you really want to go to med school, study what you enjoy (and include pre-med classes) and take part in extracurriculars you actually want to do. Be yourself. Explore. Enjoy life. Make solid friendships. College is, perhaps, the last chance you'll have to be almost entirely free to just do and study whatever you want. Don't blow this chance just because you think some adcom will be impressed with your quadruple major, six minors, and the AIDS clinic you opened in Mauritania.

 

[Isis24]

Hmm. Have you taken any psych or neurosci classes yet? If not, try one of each and see
1. how you do
2. what you like better

For med schools...i think the important thing is to have the highest GPA possible. For you, pick the one you like better. You must like one over the other...at least by a little. Personally, I can't stand psych...but that's me. I'd choose neuro. But...you're not me!


Do the right thing

 

[DG1102]

No med school will care. Why don't you just choose one major and take a bunch of classes for fun? If those extra classes give you a minor, then great; if not, then you took a bunch of cool classes.

I read an article that stated Med-Schools are looking for humanity majors now? Has anyone else heard that? If this is so, would it be better to major in Humanity and fulfill the med school requirements or would it be better to major in bio or some sort of science and take humanity courses?
I was thinking about double majoring or having a minor but it seems like it wouldn't give me any advantage from the comments everyone ahs made.

 

[Isoprop]

you'll hear that a higher proportion of applicants who majored in an area of humanities are accepted to medical school. the biggest reason is because there are less people who major in the humanities who apply than say biology.

bottom line: your major does not matter in terms of admissions.

 

[ORTHO4ME]

I typed in double major and got a bunch of previous topics, I read them all. But my question is more specific.

Double Major in two sciences (Biology and Neuroscience)? or Major in a science, and minor in a humanity(Biology and psychology)? At this point, Both take up the same amount of units, so I figure I might as well get a double major. Outside of thinking about medschools, what do you guys think? psychology and neuroscience are sort of similar in certain respects, i'm exposed to both either way.

In regards to med schools: Don't ad coms prefer diversity over pure science? In which case it may be better for me to do the minor?

Either way, I enjoy both, so its not a matter of "picking which you like better/ stop trying to please med schools" 🙂.

Thoughts?

whats going to happen is, at your med school interview, the interviewer will mention your double major and ask you why you decided to do it. what will impress them is how passionate you are about what you majored in, so choose what you are more interested in, that way, you can truly speak passionately about it. yes, med schools do like well rounded people, but if they ask you about your double major, and you end up speaking unenthusiastically about it, it wont leave a positive impression.

 

[physicsnerd42]

I read an article that stated Med-Schools are looking for humanity majors now? Has anyone else heard that? If this is so, would it be better to major in Humanity and fulfill the med school requirements or would it be better to major in bio or some sort of science and take humanity courses?
I was thinking about double majoring or having a minor but it seems like it wouldn't give me any advantage from the comments everyone ahs made.

*Smacks self in forehead* This is exactly what I was talking about in my last post. You're one of those typical pre-meds I was ranting about earlier, aren't you? STUDY WHAT YOU ENJOY.

 

[The Nephilim]

I would just like to say that I disagree with the sentiment that medical schools don't care about your specific major or double majors at all. Although many schools state this, at several of my interviews I was told by my interviewers that what I had accomplished was very impressive (majoring in both science and humanities). Also, that they believed that students who have a broad range of interests (be it academically or not) often make better physicians because they can find common ground easier with patients.

That said, I would shy away from saying a double major doesn't matter at all. I think inevitably it does. If you have true interests in the humanities or in multiple/diverse topics, pursue them. Make sure it is something you love because the workload is steep and you won't be cut any slack. Your grades will have to be just as competitive. Alternatively, you can express your broad interests outside of academia or by simply taking fun courses. Whatever works.

To the OP: Read the course descriptions and pick the route you feel you would enjoy most.

 

[MilkmanAl]

I would just like to say that I disagree with the sentiment that medical schools don't care about your specific major or double majors at all. Although many schools state this, at several of my interviews I was told by my interviewers that what I had accomplished was very impressive (majoring in both science and humanities).

I was told the same by my interviewers at Arkansas. I believe getting a double major gives your academic performance more "wow factor" since it clearly denotes that you took more (and probably more difficult) classes than most people.