Going pre-med without a bio-related major... your thoughts?

[Pwny]

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This is just an honest inquiry, but I was wondering how many of you feel about pre-meds taking either the traditional bio major route or studying something different, like english.

I know... choose the one that you feel you're most interested in. I'm torn 50/50 between an environmental science major and a bio major. I can see the pros of a bio major as preparation for the MCAT, but how importantly do medical schools view how well you've done with a specific major? I've also heard they like to look for variety among the bio majors (not a big factor, but just throwing that out there). Something in favor of a non-bio major is more time to prepare for the MCAT, but I also understand people choose bio majors because that's what they're passionate about. 🙂

Just taking a poll to see what people think about this. Are there any students in the same boat? Are there any who've gone one route and wished they had chosen another?

Thanks in advance for any opinions, thoughts, and stories you share.

 

[binko]

I majored in German. I have heard adcoms like to see something a little different, environmental science def. won't hurt you if you do well.

 

[Pwny]

I majored in German. I have heard adcoms like to see something a little different, environmental science def. won't hurt you if you do well.

Did you feel like you were ever at a disadvantage compared to bio majors in terms of MCAT preparation? While I'm contemplating going env. science (environmental toxicology in particular), I'm worried that I'll be missing out on information normally taught in classes offered for bio majors.

 

[binko]

Did you feel like you were ever at a disadvantage compared to bio majors in terms of MCAT preparation? While I'm contemplating going env. science (environmental toxicology in particular), I'm worried that I'll be missing out on information normally taught in classes offered for bio majors.

I took an AAMC practice MCAT totally cold before I began my prep course (they required it to set a baseline) and scored a 33. All the bio you'll need is in the prep books, I suggest the ExamKrackers set.

 

[quirks]

Did you feel like you were ever at a disadvantage compared to bio majors in terms of MCAT preparation? While I'm contemplating going env. science (environmental toxicology in particular), I'm worried that I'll be missing out on information normally taught in classes offered for bio majors.

Yes but that was my own fault. I hadn't taken bio since middle school and then took the MCAT after just four college bio courses None of which taught anatomy and two of which were very specific topics that I didn't need that much knowledge of for the MCAT.

I should have studied bio on my own harder. I think if you're aware that you're disadvantaged and study to make up for it, you'll do fine. Its worth it to do a major you actually like.

 

[aznb0y129]

Did you feel like you were ever at a disadvantage compared to bio majors in terms of MCAT preparation? While I'm contemplating going env. science (environmental toxicology in particular), I'm worried that I'll be missing out on information normally taught in classes offered for bio majors.

I majored in psychology and only took Bio I and II while I was in college. I still managed an 11 on BS for the MCAT, so I don't think it'll hold you back significantly as long as you are diligent with your studying for the MCAT itself. Good luck.

 

[tiedyeddog]

I guesstimate that this question has been asked close to one hundred trillion times. Do a search.

 

[aggieallure]

For pre-meds, your major is your backup plan. Not everyone enters med school right away, so it's better to have a major in a field you would like to work in, just in case. I found it incredibly difficult to find a job with my biomedical science degree after I graduated last May (mainly because I didn't have any research experience).

 

[ksmi117]

I'm a Math major. As far as the MCAT, I got a 40 with a 15 in BS. Sure I may have had to go over stuff a bit more then someone who would have learned and relearned things in Bio classes, but my major sure didn't hinder me. The Bio on the MCAT is something that can be easily understood by self-studying.

Major in what you like. I chose Math because I wasn't sure if I'd want to do Math or medicine as a freshman and because I love it. I still love it, but I know medicine is what I want to do. If I went back knowing that I'd decide on medicine, I still would have majored in Math.

 

[Aladdin]

This is just an honest inquiry, but I was wondering how many of you feel about pre-meds taking either the traditional bio major route or studying something different, like english.

I know... choose the one that you feel you're most interested in. I'm torn 50/50 between an environmental science major and a bio major. I can see the pros of a bio major as preparation for the MCAT, but how importantly do medical schools view how well you've done with a specific major? I've also heard they like to look for variety among the bio majors (not a big factor, but just throwing that out there). Something in favor of a non-bio major is more time to prepare for the MCAT, but I also understand people choose bio majors because that's what they're passionate about. 🙂

Just taking a poll to see what people think about this. Are there any students in the same boat? Are there any who've gone one route and wished they had chosen another?

Thanks in advance for any opinions, thoughts, and stories you share.

I majored in American Studies with a minor in Chem. If I was you then I would major in English and minor in Bio
(of course, "if I were you, then you'd be me and I'd use YOUR body to get to the top")

 

[TupacalipseT96]

imo, majoring in a science will make life a whole lot easier that first year or two of med school.

But major in whatever you like. Non-science majors serve a good purpose (like padding the curve 😉).

 

[dw2158]

I guesstimate that this question has been asked close to one hundred trillion times. Do a search.

have my babies, please.

or, um... thanks for posting this 😛

 

[phospho]

I majored in psych, no regrets... yes, it might make your major a little longer since the prereqs aren't included with your major, but it was definitely worth it for me... especially since you're not spending your whole day with pre-professional majors. You'd be surprised by how different you become from most premeds (which is a good thing).

 

[pride4jc727]

It does not really matter what you major in as long as you enjoy the major you have chosen and fulfilled the pre-medical requirements. These include math (calculus), biology, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics. There are also other course requirements. Lastly, do not forget the MCATs. Adcoms like to see diversity in their class. No matter if you learned micro in undergrad, the med school you are accepted and then subsequently matriculate at will want to teach you the subject their way. Thus, it is all about you and what you do to prepare yourself for the medical school application process. You should also find time to look into clinical and possibly a research experience so you can show the adcoms your seriously interested in pursuing medicine as a career.

 

[WaterBird]

Did you feel like you were ever at a disadvantage compared to bio majors in terms of MCAT preparation? While I'm contemplating going env. science (environmental toxicology in particular), I'm worried that I'll be missing out on information normally taught in classes offered for bio majors.

No. All of the Bio you need for the MCAT is in the first year of Bio which you need as a pre-req anyway.

Study something you like - you'll do better and be happier. It was also easier for me to stay chill in classes where (unlike Bio) not everyone had the same goal as me.

 

[WaterBird]

imo, majoring in a science will make life a whole lot easier that first year or two of med school.

But major in whatever you like. Non-science majors serve a good purpose (like padding the curve 😉).

🙄
From the med students I've talked to (and I try and talk to non-science majors everywhere I go) it makes the first month easier, not the first year or two.

And, fwiw, the average MCAT score of an English major is higher than the avg for bio or chem majors:
http://209.85.173.132/search?q=cach...jor&cd=6&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-a

 

[redlight]

🙄
From the med students I've talked to (and I try and talk to non-science majors everywhere I go) it makes the first month easier, not the first year or two.

And, fwiw, the average MCAT score of an English major is higher than the avg for bio or chem majors:
http://209.85.173.132/search?q=cach...jor&cd=6&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-a

duh, it's a numbers thing. it's selection bias.. 14k chem and bio majors versus 400 english majors.. i'm willing to bet you would NOT apply and take the mcat as an english major without strong grades in science classes... i think in general you have to be better than average science student to major outside of science and be premed because you need to do well in your presumably limited science load and show that you can hang with the science dorks..

also if you look closly at your link, you'll notice that english majors didnt score higher than biochem, neuroscience, math, physics, bme, ee, etc. on the science sections.. but those econ majors are killing everyone lol

 

[NickNaylor]

You can't get into medical school studying humanities. What a waste of time. The only thing you use is science, and that's the only thing adcoms care about.



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...So this was much more ironic when I had it non-punctuated with all caps, but SDN didn't like that.

 

[Brent8927]

I was an art major, and I think my interviewers found me to be very interesting, partly because of my background. One even asked to see my work, so we logged onto her computer to look at my website.

When I took the MCAT, the only science courses I had taken were the pre-med courses and introduction to space sciences (which obviously didn't help at all!). After that I took some more upper-div courses for fun, but I did very well on the MCAT without them.

I really don't think those additional courses would have helped me though--everything you need to know for the MCAT is in your pre-med courses and review books. But, a lot of people do say additional courses help. Personally, I think it might be mostly a pyschological benefit (they feel more confident--and that makes a huge difference on the MCAT), but I'm not an MCAT Test Design Specialist.

Overall--do what you love! If you're interested in research, it probably helps to have a related undergrad degree, but honestly I think you'll make a better clinician if you major in something that you won't learn in medical school. But for those who love bio--major in bio. In my opinion, a happy physician is the best physician 🙂

Environmental science sounds fun! I wish I had taken an env. sci course.

 

[deuist]

Bio is probably the least useful subject you can major in to do medicine. You won't learn anything in undergrad that can be applied to medical school. Instead, do something such as Spanish or statistics. At least you'll be a useful during third year.

 

[BORNagainSTDENT]

I majored in psychology and only took Bio I and II while I was in college. I still managed an 11 on BS for the MCAT, so I don't think it'll hold you back significantly as long as you are diligent with your studying for the MCAT itself. Good luck.

What classes would you recommend in all to do well on the mcat?

 

[justdoit31]

If I would have had a good advisor I would have been a history major and not a biology major in a heartbeat! I have no interest in plants, ecology, or evolutionary biology! My favorite courses in college were my upper level history electives...

DO WHAT YOU LOVE!!!

 

[kikiu]

I heard that for upper level bio: genetics, biochemistry, and physiology are really helpful for the Bio sections on the MCAT. Those are the three "most common" helpful UL Bio classes that I've seen around this forum. I also heard some people recommending microbiology and cell/molecular biology..but def. biochem, genetics, and physiology!

 

[tiedyeddog]

have my babies, please.

or, um... thanks for posting this 😛

I don't have the right..... equipment..... for having babies....


Sorry...

 

[tiedyeddog]

What classes would you recommend in all to do well on the mcat?

Take all Prereqs: year of ochem, year of bio, year of physics, year of gen chem.

These aren't absolute requirements but they could help:
physiology
molecular genetics
biochem

Not much else will replace studying hard when the time comes.

 

[tiedyeddog]

imo, majoring in a science will make life a whole lot easier that first year or two of med school.

But major in whatever you like. Non-science majors serve a good purpose (like padding the curve 😉).

This is a joke, me thinks.

 

[Pwny]

Thanks for all the responses. I still have a year or so (freshman) to declare, so I will be keeping everything said in mind. 😀

 

[BORNagainSTDENT]

Take all Prereqs: year of ochem, year of bio, year of physics, year of gen chem.

These aren't absolute requirements but they could help:
physiology
molecular genetics
biochem

Not much else will replace studying hard when the time comes.

Thanks, so ochem, bio,physics and genchem are all one needs for the MCAT. I don't know why my postbach certificate requires that I take a year of calculus.

 

[tiedyeddog]

Thanks, so ochem, bio,physics and genchem are all one needs for the MCAT. I don't know why my postbach certificate requires that I take a year of calculus.

Some medical schools require calculus. My BS degree at my undergrad requires it, so I took it, but it is absolutely not tested in any form on the MCAT.