Double Major: Worth It?

[CollegeGirl94]

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I've been debating for a long time whether or not I should do a double major in Chemistry as well as Biology.

Because I just love both Biology and Chemistry so much, I will be taking a lot more classes. I was wondering if instead of taking more Biology and Chemistry of my choosing, if I should just major with Chemistry as well? It involves a year of PChem and lots of long labs.

With being a doctor being my ultimate goal, will it in any way benefit me?

 

[jm192]

As far as getting in, probably not. Multiple Adcom people told me when I interviewed that your major wasn't that big of a deal, and an extra major doesn't give any extra leverage as far as getting in.

I double majored, I don't think it gave me a real "jump" on med school. A bio major will give you a basic biological foundation. Your required chem classes will give you what you need as far as getting you through medical school. Physical Chemistry is fascinating, and it gives you another way to look at scientific things--but it's not really necessary for medical school.

It's worth taking Biochem to start laying that foundation for med school classes. But, aside from your pre-reqs, I don't know that you need a ton of upper level chem.

 

[SnakeOilForSale]

If your school offers a biochem concentration then that's a good idea. You could always minor in one of them as well. I doubt it'll effect your admissions likelihood, so that's irrelevant. If you really enjoy it and it interests you, then do it. But don't take on an extra workload solely because you think it's going to help you look better.

 

[SnakeOilForSale]

As an addendum to that, I just realized you were the person who posted about struggling getting high marks in your bio courses, so be very careful that you don't take on too much and let your grades suffer even more. Get through this low period and see how your scores wind up, you can always decide later, you're only a sophomore.

 

[CollegeGirl94]

True, but because of all the requirements for Chemistry, starting sooner is better than later. I will probably just decide ay the end of the year after a few more Biology classes.

 

[brood910]

It wont help you get into med school, but it's totally worth it.
IMO, it is kinda boring + too easy to have only one major.
I also double majored btw.

 

[CollegeGirl94]

Exactly, after this year I just need to take 3 concentration Biology classes (quarter system) and I'm done. It's kind of boring, seems like a waste.

 

[Isha2018]

I recommend you double major because you love both bio and chem. I have a BA and a BSN, and I loved earning both degrees.

Besides, your CV will then contain twice the BS as most applicants'! What an advantage!! 🙂 (I couldn't resist the joke)

 

[Catalystik]

I've been debating for a long time whether or not I should do a double major in Chemistry as well as Biology.

Because I just love both Biology and Chemistry so much, I will be taking a lot more classes. I was wondering if instead of taking more Biology and Chemistry of my choosing, if I should just major with Chemistry as well? It involves a year of PChem and lots of long labs.

With being a doctor being my ultimate goal, will it in any way benefit me?

Having a double major or some minors will not make you a more appealing med school candidate to adcomms. Having a high GPA will make you make you more appealing. Add the double major if you wish to have access to classes that excite you, but for which you otherwise could not register, however don't think that taking more challenging classes and getting Bs or lower in them is going to do you any favors.

Alternatively, if you're getting bored, consider taking more upper-level Bio and Biochem, which will be much more interesting than the basic prerequisites and will actually give you a leg up in med school.

 

[histidine]

I personally think some interviewers like double majors, especially those who did science/social science or science/humanities. It diversifies your undergrad education. A double major in chem/bio won't really add much by itself. That being said, it depends on what you do with it. My friend double majored in math/chm, and conducted research in chemistry and was able to first author an pub in a mid tier chem journal. Very impressive. I don't know anyone who has first authored a biology pub in undergrad (plenty of 2nd authors etc). Biology usually takes several years of full time work to publish anything substantial.

If you like chemistry and it won't drop your grades, do it. If you also want to pursue research in chemistry, it can only help.

 

[Life Sucks]

I wouldn't. Why overload with something so useless, when you can do one major and do even better?

 

[Lucca]

Personally, considering it is double science I would skip the double major and go for Biology and then take a bunch of upper division Chem classes and maybe only take the labs I heard are actually interesting and useful. Most of the time, lab classes are a huge waste of time and energy. They require a disproportionate amount of work compared to their value-add.

Even better, find a research position in a Chemistry lab and learn everything without ever taking a test or having to deal with anal Lab TAs.

 

[WillburCobb]

Med schools don't really care what you major or minor in, or how many majors you have. I have degrees in Psych and Music and minors in Chem and Neuroscience. I just took the prereqs and upper level science courses that interested me and may be of potential use in med school (e.g., Biochem, Cell Bio, Histo, Endocrinology, etc.). None of the schools I interviewed at cared so long as I could articulate "why medicine?"

 

[CollegeGirl94]

As much as I want to double major, I don't know about 10 hour labs my senior (or junior) year.

 

[plumhill]

As much as I want to double major, I don't know about 10 hour labs my senior (or junior) year.

Well, then don't do it.

 

[Goro]

Do it because it interests YOU, not us. We don't care what your major or minor is, nor if you double major.

I've been debating for a long time whether or not I should do a double major in Chemistry as well as Biology.

Because I just love both Biology and Chemistry so much, I will be taking a lot more classes. I was wondering if instead of taking more Biology and Chemistry of my choosing, if I should just major with Chemistry as well? It involves a year of PChem and lots of long labs.

With being a doctor being my ultimate goal, will it in any way benefit me?

 

[orangeman25]

What about someone who gets a BS and a masters in biology in 4 years? Does that carry any weight for adcoms?

 

[CollegeGirl94]

Personally, considering it is double science I would skip the double major and go for Biology and then take a bunch of upper division Chem classes and maybe only take the labs I heard are actually interesting and useful. Most of the time, lab classes are a huge waste of time and energy. They require a disproportionate amount of work compared to their value-add.

Even better, find a research position in a Chemistry lab and learn everything without ever taking a test or having to deal with anal Lab TAs.

I think this is what I will do.

 

[487806]

It wont help you get into med school, but it's totally worth it.
IMO, it is kinda boring + too easy to have only one major.
I also double majored btw.

Thankfully that's just your opinion (hint: physics and engineering "single" majors are difficult but enjoyable). OP, as you probably found out already, double majoring in sciences is a waste of time and effort. If you're interested in chem, just minor in chem. Double majoring is all work no gain scenario and you can spend that time on your ECs

What about someone who gets a BS and a masters in biology in 4 years? Does that carry any weight for adcoms?

No one cares.

 

[gyngyn]

What about someone who gets a BS and a masters in biology in 4 years? Does that carry any weight for adcoms?

No.

 

[MDOnlyWillDo]

It wont help you get into med school, but it's totally worth it.
IMO, it is kinda boring + too easy to have only one major.
I also double majored btw.

No double degree? Lazy.

I have a BS, and a BA with a minor. Not one school ever showed any interest in that fact. I didn't plan on doing that, it just happened to work out that way- I can't imagine someone actually *wanting* to do that, especially in four years.

 

[CollegeGirl94]

Yeah I think a major in Biology plus a minor in Chemistry will be my plan.

 

[Goro]

I'd be impressed, especially if one does well.

What about someone who gets a BS and a masters in biology in 4 years? Does that carry any weight for adcoms?

 

[I Love Cats]

I've been debating for a long time whether or not I should do a double major in Chemistry as well as Biology.

Because I just love both Biology and Chemistry so much, I will be taking a lot more classes. I was wondering if instead of taking more Biology and Chemistry of my choosing, if I should just major with Chemistry as well? It involves a year of PChem and lots of long labs.

With being a doctor being my ultimate goal, will it in any way benefit me?

No, for med school admissions, it doesn't make a significant difference, if any. What you end up doing should be for YOU though. Don't do it because you're insecure though. Do it because you just really want those pieces of paper and the knowledge base that comes with.

I doubled.

 

[CollegeGirl94]

No, for med school admissions, it doesn't make a significant difference, if any. What you end up doing should be for YOU though. Don't do it because you're insecure though. Do it because you just really want those pieces of paper and the knowledge base that comes with.

I doubled.

I'm just nervous my GPA and therefore chances at my dream will be compromised if I decide to take harder Chemistry classes. :/

 

[I Love Cats]

I'm just nervous my GPA and therefore chances at my dream will be compromised if I decide to take harder Chemistry classes. :/

That's why you have to decide if it's worth it, both in terms of the risk, financially and personally.