Expressed interest in psychiatry

[rayhet52]

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So ever since a fellow peer advised me to not tell medical schools that I'm interest in psychiatry, I've been a bit concerned. I'm majoring in psychology and plan on doing most of my research in neuroscience. Plus, a bulk of my clinical/volunteer experience will probably be in the area. I'm worried that this will look bad to medical schools. Is it true that having an obvious sole interest in the psychiatry field will hurt my chances of being accepted to medical schools?

 

[loveoforganic]

Strong interest and sole interest are very different. Former, not at all. Latter, probably.

 

[Emerica]

So ever since a fellow peer advised me to not tell medical schools that I'm interest in psychiatry, I've been a bit concerned. I'm majoring in psychology and plan on doing most of my research in neuroscience. Plus, a bulk of my clinical/volunteer experience will probably be in the area. I'm worried that this will look bad to medical schools. Is it true that having an obvious sole interest in the psychiatry field will hurt my chances of being accepted to medical schools?

My interests are extremely similar to yours, and I do not think it will make you any less of an applicant. What medical schools want to see is a genuine passion turned into something meaningful. Therefore, volunteering in a psych ward or doing research into SSRIs would constitute this for you and I.

However, don't be so quick claim your sole interest in undergrad. Even with a psych major (focus in neuro) you will be taking some biochem that could get you all riled up like psych does. But I know where you are coming from. I've gotten a feel for the typical bio/biochem applicants and their research and personally I find neuropsych/psychopharmacology much more interesting.

I've never heard of adcoms looking down on psychiatry, but I could definitely see them looking down on close-mindedness, so expand your interests while doing what you like.

 

[ischemic2]

When they ask you about future interests you don't have to be afraid. All you have to say is "at the moment, I"m leaning towards X because of Y,Z. However, I'm open to many different fields." The only thing you should NOT do is to say I want derm or die.

 

[traitorman]

So ever since a fellow peer advised me to not tell medical schools that I'm interest in psychiatry, I've been a bit concerned. I'm majoring in psychology and plan on doing most of my research in neuroscience. Plus, a bulk of my clinical/volunteer experience will probably be in the area. I'm worried that this will look bad to medical schools. Is it true that having an obvious sole interest in the psychiatry field will hurt my chances of being accepted to medical schools?

I don't think there's anything wrong with talking about your interests especially if its what led you to pursuing medical school. but your friend is probably thinking about the whole primary care shortage

I have to say, I also had a big interest in psychiatry. I was a psych major, did research in neuroscience, and also volunteered at a big psych hospital in my state. but I realized my interests that I developed through my classes and research were completely different from the everyday work a psychiatrist goes through. and ultimately, I'm not so interested anymore

 

[still h0ping]

Really no need to be concerned, how much do you think a peer advisor can know about med school admissions anyway?
It doesn't look bad at all if they see you have a sense of passion in one of the fields, and probably will be a strong point to see that you're really motivated about something.. Not too many premeds I know actually want to go into psychiatry, so you'll probably stick out anyway.

 

[Catalystik]

I've never heard of adcoms looking down on psychiatry, but I could definitely see them looking down on close-mindedness, so expand your interests while doing what you like.

I agree. And even if you are close-minded, it is best to express interest in the exposure you'll receive to many other fields as well.

A study showed that 80% of those entering med school intent on a certain specialty changed their mind.

 

[Suenya]

I was a psych major, worked in a psychiatric neuroscience lab, at a treatment center for autistic kids, and in social work in the psych part of an ER. I told during my interviews that my strongest interest was in psych, but that I was interested in other areas as well. It worked out fine for me.