Dual Major or not?

[HeronsBeak]

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I realize it has little impact on admissions, but in terms of effort put in, what would you do?

I could just finish my International Studies major, in which case my schedule would be :

Summer 2013
IS courses 3-6 cr/lit course + IS course

Fall 2013
MMI 301 pathogenic bacT 2 cr
MMI 554 bioterrorism 2 cr
Orgo 2 w lab 5cr
Nuc Weapons + world politics 3 cr
Global Poverty and inequality 4 cr
16 Cr

Spring 2014
AFR Lan 326 colloquial 2 2cr
Lit course 3cr
10cr IS courses
15 Cr

or take 11 credits more and finish a bio degree also which looks like:

Summer classes 2013
*Physiology 335-Tues-Fri-8:55-1:00 (6/17-8/11) 5cr w lab
*Extinction of species 360 – Mo-Fri 1:10-3:10(6/10- 7/7) 3 cr

Fall 2013
MMI 301 pathogenic bacT 2 cr
MMI 554 bioterrorism 2 cr
Orgo 2 w lab 5cr
Nuc Weapons + world politics 3 cr
Global Poverty and inequality 4 cr
16 credits

Spring 2014
AFR Lan 326 colloquial 2 2cr
*Genetics 466/biochem 501/503 3cr
Lit course 3cr
7-9cr IS courses
15-17 credits

Summer 2014
6 cr IS courses

It kind of sucks to be 3 classes from another degree, but I would have to take classes the summer prior to med school, as well as have a harder load. If you were this close, what would you do? I'm torn between wanting a piece of paper that says I did it and not doing it because it really makes no difference once I'm in med school.

Thanks

HeronsBeak

 

[dntke1518]

Take the classes, like you said, only being three courses away from a Bio degree is worth it. Plus getting some of those tougher classes like genetics in there will look better for admissions.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Go for it. I'm finishing another BS in Physiology during my gap year need 5ish more classes and need to take a year of calculus again....

I don't remember any trig either so... yah..

 

[MedPR]

Take the classes, like you said, only being three courses away from a Bio degree is worth it. Plus getting some of those tougher classes like genetics in there will look better for admissions.

And they'll help for MCAT.

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[advair250]

You would need to have all degree requirements completed by a specific date before matriculation. By doing the extra classes the summer before med, you may not meet that date depending on the school

 

[TriagePreMed]

If it is 3 courses, I say do it. I ended up in this same situation where my second major was only 4 more classes and did it. I simply added an extra class in winter, one in spring and did 2 during the first summer session.

 

[dntke1518]

And they'll help for MCAT.

Sent from my SGH-T999 using SDN Mobile

+1 this.

 

[DolFAN]

I wouldn't want the added stress of classes. Sure it's only 3 more classes but why dont you just enjoy your college days before throwing yourself into medschool.

 

[pre med 2014]

It's three classes from another major. Not a second degree. You would have two majors in one degree, the BA or BS.

 

[calvinhobbes]

No one cares. Focus on getting a 30+ on your MCAT, and do well in one major.

 

[GUH]

No one cares. Focus on getting a 30+ on your MCAT, and do well in one major.

This. Why bother? If you're going to be a doctor nobody's going to care how many majors you did as an undergrad. And you'll be stressing out about bio courses that have very little to do with the material actually presented on the MCAT.
And there's no reason take more upper-div science courses which could lower your GPA if you don't ace them unless you're shooting for a competitive MD school.

The only caveat is that I think a very few DO schools do require genetics.

 

[TriagePreMed]

This. Why bother? If you're going to be a doctor nobody's going to care how many majors you did as an undergrad. And you'll be stressing out about bio courses that have very little to do with the material actually presented on the MCAT.
And there's no reason take more upper-div science courses which could lower your GPA if you don't ace them unless you're shooting for a competitive MD school.

The only caveat is that I think a very few DO schools do require genetics.

In the grand scheme of things, it would be useless, but there's a possibility that this person won't make it to med school (immediately). Having a second major in bio would give him better marketability for certain jobs, and since it is only 3 classes, it isn't something very demanding of him. That and the fact that almost anyone would prefer to be a double major if it was as easily attainable.

 

[deleted357625]

Go for it. I'm finishing another BS in Physiology during my gap year need 5ish more classes and need to take a year of calculus again....

I don't remember any trig either so... yah..

Remember basic trig identities and simple algebra regarding trig functions - that's about it for that - no need for trig or precal.