Graduating in five years and need advice...

[Tennis Guy]

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So, it looks like I'll be graduating in five years (I'm a fourth year), and I have a few questions. My major is biochemistry and molecular biology, and I also have a minor in Arabic. I was thinking about dual majoring in biochem and Arabic, but I was wondering if just keeping the minor would be good enough? I know that I could probably major in Arabic with the extra year, but I was thinking that I should concentrate on getting my GPA up (2.96c right now) instead of trying to do the dual major? Having a dual major would make me more competitive in the admissions process but what do you guys think? Also, let it be known that I switched majors from bio to biochem at the end of my sophomore year. Thank you all for your advice, time, and patience. 🙂

 

[Deathstar]

I don't think dual major will make a difference in terms of competitiveness

But yeah gpa must go up. Avg is 3.6

 

[Hoya2009]

Your GPA is too low for MD schools right now. Start taking classes you can get A's in.

It doesn't matter what you major in or how many majors you have. Also, why have you chosen two outrageously difficult things in which to major? That may be contributing to your low GPA, unless you are an Arabic speaker from childhood.

Get more A's, since two majors with a 2.96 is not getting admitted anywhere, but one major with a 3.4 has a fighting chance. You are biting off more than you can chew right now. Time to reassess.

 

[Tennis Guy]

I don't think dual major will make a difference in terms of competitiveness

But yeah gpa must go up. Avg is 3.6

Your GPA is too low for MD schools right now. Start taking classes you can get A's in.

It doesn't matter what you major in or how many majors you have. Also, why have you chosen two outrageously difficult things in which to major? That may be contributing to your low GPA, unless you are an Arabic speaker from childhood.

Get more A's, since two majors with a 2.96 is not getting admitted anywhere, but one major with a 3.4 has a fighting chance. You are biting off more than you can chew right now. Time to reassess.

Ok, I understand getting my GPA up is top priority. The reason I have considered doing Arabic as a major as well is because I thought it would look really good on my application and make myself more competitive in the admissions process than just having a minor. Also, my interest in Arabic is due to the fact that I am half Syrian and want to learn the language to speak to my Syrian side of the family. However, I already have a solid basis to learn the language on my own because of taking classes at the university, speaking, and reading Arabic on my own. My other question is have any of you taken five years to graduate and have just graduated with one major only and maybe a minor? I guess that I am just thinking, since I will be graduating in five years that I need to graduate with two majors, which is a faulty assumption it seems...

 

[Tennis Guy]

Bump... can somebody please answer my question. I really need it answered... thanks!🙂

 

[ItzYaYa]

A major in Biochem will suffice. It would seem that you're not proficient in Arabic, so why burden yourself with it as a major. I think what you're doing is fine in itself. Stick with the minor, use it to raise your cum. GPA. Remember, don't do things just to make yourself a 'more competitive applicant'. From what I can tell, being more competitive doesn't mean having what many perceive as a difficult major, it comprises of what you do outside of your scholastic life e.g. volunteering, research, simply having life experiences that could contribute to you wanting to become a physician.

Bottom line is stick with what you're doing now, and focus on your GPA.

 

[ILikeDrugs]

If one person only majored in Arabic and earned a 3.7 GPA and a second person triple majored in biochemistry, molecular biology, and neuroscience and earned a 2.7 GPA, the first person is qualified for a US MD/DO med school and the second person is not qualified for a US MD/DO med school. Stick to one and do well in it. I think the "dual major will make me more competitive" way of thinking screwed you over.

 

[Myuu]

Dual majors are what I like to call icing. They are not, however, the cake.