Double Major vs Major/Minor for MSTP

[BlakeC93]

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I know this question has been asked before, but I couldn't find a thread that fits my MSTP needs.

I am currently a Biochemistry major in undergraduate. If I think I would like to pursue a Neuroscience PhD in an MSTP, should I do a Biochemistry/Psychology double major, or will Biochemistry with a Psychology minor be sufficient? I would prefer to do a Biochemistry major with a Psychology minor because that would leave me with more electives, but I can fit in a double major if it is necessary.

I would like to attend an MSTP and earn a PhD in Neuroscience. I would then like to do a residency in Psychiatry and a fellowship in Forensic Psychiatry. I know that is thinking very far in advance, so that is why I am asking this question on the basis of doing an MSTP with a PhD in Neuroscience.

Thanks!

 

[K31]

Do what you want to do and what you can do well in. Undergraduate major matters very little so long as you are some sort of science major, and matters even less for graduate school (with few exceptions--mainly bioengineering). One of my close friends who got his PhD in neuroscience was an undergrad physics major. MSTP students can generally choose whatever PhD program they are interested in and the programs love to have them.

 

[Rumit]

I agree that you can do whichever major/minor you want, but I would recommend doing some neuroscience research.

 

[BlakeC93]

So, when applying to MSTPs, do you apply to a specific graduate program within the MSTP, or do you get into the MSTP, then choose a graduate program? Why is neuroscience research necessary?

Thank you for the answers, guys. I think I am just going to do the Biochemistry major with a Psych minor. That will allow me to take some other interesting classes.

 

[Rumit]

So, when applying to MSTPs, do you apply to a specific graduate program within the MSTP, or do you get into the MSTP, then choose a graduate program? Why is neuroscience research necessary?

Thank you for the answers, guys. I think I am just going to do the Biochemistry major with a Psych minor. That will allow me to take some other interesting classes.

You typically apply to the MSTP and once in then choose a specific PI and graduate department.

I think that if you're going to tell people, especially if it's on your application, that you want to pursue a career in neuroscience then you need to show them that you know what you're getting yourself into. Nobody expects you to study the same topic in grad school as in undergraduate, but if interest in a particular field is a driving factor in your career plans it's worth having a little experience in it.