Double major or not!? ONE course difference.. HELP

[brood910]

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So I am planning to take MCAT in April, and I am currently double-majoring in bio and psych.
I decided to double-major because I am equally interested in bio and psych.

I am currently scheduled to take 3 bio and 2 psych classes for the next semester, which is the last one before graduation.

My problem is that I might run out of time, spending on course work + research, not on MCAT. Also, my adviser told me that I have to get at least one recommendation letter from my major courses, and I didnt get one from psych courses -_-..

One of the psych courses is a 400-level course and it is expected to take A LOT of time from me.

So, my question is, if you were me, would you just take this course and finish your double major or drop this course and get extra hours for MCAT? It is only ONE more course to finish the double major..

 

[lobo.solo]

So I am planning to take MCAT in April, and I am currently double-majoring in bio and psych.
I decided to double-major because I am equally interested in bio and psych.

I am currently scheduled to take 3 bio and 2 psych classes for the next semester, which is the last one before graduation.

My problem is that I might run out of time, spending on course work + research, not on MCAT. Also, my adviser told me that I have to get at least one recommendation letter from my major courses, and I didnt get one from psych courses -_-..

One of the psych courses is a 400-level course and it is expected to take A LOT of time from me.

So, my question is, if you were me, would you just take this course and finish your double major or drop this course and get extra hours for MCAT? It is only ONE more course to finish the double major..

This is hard....🙁 But realize that a bad MCAT score would hurt you a lot. Schools don't really care about double majors, minors or any major in particular for that matter.

 

[Dirtyshadow]

I would take the course and get that 2nd degree. I had a psych major and bio minor, helped me stand out from the rest of the applicant pool.

I'm not sure which psych course it is, but it probably wont be that unmanageable.

 

[brood910]

I would take the course and get that 2nd degree. I had a psych major and bio minor, helped me stand out from the rest of the applicant pool.

I'm not sure which psych course it is, but it probably wont be that unmanageable.

Hm.. even if I dont take this course, I can still do major in bio and minor in psych..

 

[joonage]

Hm.. even if I dont take this course, I can still do major in bio and minor in psych..

I'd do the minor then. If you can't handle the course load or know it'll take a hit on your MCATs, then drop the major. The MCATs are MUCH more important than a second major.

In fact, I'm in a situation like yours. I have to take an extra quarter regardless if I want to get my double major in psych. However, I decided it wasn't worth my time and effort to take summer quarter. I would much rather be working in my lab. That's my personal opinion though.

However what matters for sure tho is high MCAT score > double major.

 

[hobbity]

I don't envy your position, OP. But I agree with the others that MCAT >>>> double major - especially since the second major is psych (which is quite popular). The only time double majoring might help you is if you did research combining your extra major with something medically/science related.

Also, two other things that I think are worth considering are current practice MCAT scores and the course syllabi. If your practice MCAT is decent AND the syllabi indicate that you'll have time to study (exams, projects, etc, between classes are spaced so that MCAT studying works out) might mean that double majoring is feasible.

Good luck

 

[eleveneleven]

I would lean towards making sure you nail the MCAT and opting out of the double major. But as Hobbity says, I think if you are killing any practice tests you're taking the major might be doable.

Could you potentially schedule your MCAT for the end of May (assuming you graduate in May) instead and use that time after you're through with your classes (with a double major) to focus solely on MCAT work?

Tough situation!

 

[Geebeejay]

I think you're best option would be to finish the double major, then study for the MCAT after, and possibly apply in a later cycle. In the grand scheme of things, if you're only ONE class away from a degree, why not finish it? At the same time, realize MCAT is extremely important and you want to really devote your time to studying it, so overloading on classes while studying for it is a bad idea.

So MCAT>>>>>2nd degree so if you don't care about that degree don't finish it. But you may regret down the road not taking that ONE class and finishing the degree.

 

[Spinach Dip]

I agree with those above who state that the MCAT > Double Major.

But I also think that NOT completing a second major when you are only ONE CLASS away is a bad idea. It may not help you get into med school (whereas a higher MCAT will), but I have a short story on how a second major might help...

I finished undergrad with a major and double minor. When I was interviewing for lab positions a few months ago, the interviewer would ask "what was your major?" and I would say, "I majored in X, but also completed a minor in Y and a minor in Z" and I could see their eyebrows go up as if they were thinking to themselves, "Oh, this guy isn't your average applicant". I ended up being invited to multiple labs, so I had my choice of which one I wanted to join. I was not limited just to the one that accepted me (like most pre-meds are) because I had multiple acceptances.

In short, a double major may not get you into med school, but it could make a difference elsewhere. If I were you, I'd find a way to complete the double major and put in a bunch of time for the MCAT. It may mean taking the MCAT later or graduating one term later, but I think it would be the best option.

 

[PreMedOrDead]

I agree with those above who state that the MCAT > Double Major.

But I also think that NOT completing a second major when you are only ONE CLASS away is a bad idea. It may not help you get into med school (whereas a higher MCAT will), but I have a short story on how a second major might help...

I finished undergrad with a major and double minor. When I was interviewing for lab positions a few months ago, the interviewer would ask "what was your major?" and I would say, "I majored in X, but also completed a minor in Y and a minor in Z" and I could see their eyebrows go up as if they were thinking to themselves, "Oh, this guy isn't your average applicant". I ended up being invited to multiple labs, so I had my choice of which one I wanted to join. I was not limited just to the one that accepted me (like most pre-meds are) because I had multiple acceptances.

In short, a double major may not get you into med school, but it could make a difference elsewhere. If I were you, I'd find a way to complete the double major and put in a bunch of time for the MCAT. It may mean taking the MCAT later or graduating one term later, but I think it would be the best option.

Never accept anecdotal evidence as fact.

As a triple major myself, they will not aid you in any way for medical school. In fact, if anything it led to a negative response. Focus on killing the MCAT, don't delay or overcommit for something as silly as an additional bachelor's.

As that sounds anecdotal, it isn't. Go look at the data for those that pursue multiple majors. There's a significant drop in acceptance rate.

 

[Mosa]

I would take the class. Contrary to other posters, interviewers LOVED hearing about my second major. Albeit it is English which is a little less common than psychology for Pre meds but still. The year I took my MCAT had the hardest two semesters for me, and I just kept piling on classes and the pressure made me do well both in my courses and on the MCAT. I had also worked, volunteered, and other ECs during this time. I would say find ECs you could cut back on instead. Also from my experience, I found that there is ALWAYS time that I do not use wisely. For example, I commute to college an hour each way everyday. Instead of listening to the radio, I listened to audio osmosis by Examkrackers to make better use of that time. I think a prospective medical student and doctor should be able to handle a heavy course load and MCAT prep. Good luck!!

 

[BABSstudent]

I would take the class and postpone the MCAT for a month after you were planning to take it. Knowing ahead of time your schedule will suck will make you study more. Just plan everything really well and make sure to stick to a schedule with X amount of studying hours every week.

 

[TriagePreMed]

Is there a reason not to take this class in the summer?

 

[Spinach Dip]

Never accept anecdotal evidence as fact.

Granted.

But in my experience, people DO give you a little more credit if you have multiple majors/minors.

....And if you are only ONE CLASS away, you should find a way to do it. Does your school offer summer classes? Or is there a way to get credit as a TA/researcher? (some schools allow that).

 

[ucsfstudents]

If it were me, I would take the course, get the 2nd degree, and take the MCAT only when ready . I would push my application date and MCAT date back to just get the 2nd degree and a good score on the MCAT. That would be my approach.

 

[PreMedOrDead]

Note, I am not detracting from your desire or ability to get the second major. By all means, do it. However, don't let it detract in any way from your medical application, be it timing of application or MCAT score.

 

[SaintJude]

Double major, and take the MCAT later in May or June. A psychology degree could come hand in 10 years. You never know.