How did you decide your major?

[American Kimchi]

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I know this question is pretty silly, but I'm dead serious. Did you really follow what you wanted? Was it for the money? Did you regret and change them multiple times?

The thing is, I love psychology, english, and music the most. But I know I will have to study for years to get a job if I major in psychology and I don't think I'm good enough to major in music. As for english, I love to read and write, but I doubt that I will have a chance to write a book good enough to publish. (Not to mention it's not my first language)

I am thinking about pharmacy or teaching, but I'm still not sure because I don't have a deep passion for it. I wouldn't really mind but I don't know if I'll actually wake up every morning saying "Oh my, I really love my job!"

I know I got to do what it takes and not everyone gets to have a "dream job".

So I'm just wondering; What's your story behind your choice? 🙂

 

[SmokD]

I don't really have a story personally. I went into college saying I wanted to be a doctor, but I honestly wasn't very...I'm not sure if the word enthused is the right one. The idea of med school was so distant that I never really thought about it. But one day I really had to look and myself and decide if this was the path I wanted to take.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, pick something and continue living your life. One you'll come to a point where you'll ask yourself if this is what you want to do, and you'll have the experience to make the decision. And if you decide against it, don't worry about it. Your still gonna be young, with a lot of life ahead of you.

May or may not be the best advice, but it's my take on it.

 

[gettheleadout]

Most people on SDN probably didn't choose majors based on job prospects for that field, especially since you can major in whatever you want and still go to med school/pharm school/dental school/etc...

 

[iusesharpies]

Average GPA for Art Major is 4.0
No, but really...... you need to be interested in your major... like seriously...

The best you can do is take prereqs for each of your possible choices and just see how you feel with the other students, faculty, and classes.

 

[the duck]

I just took an intro to psych class and it was okay, the material seemed pretty cool. So I picked that as my major 🙂


don't major in something you don't love. Do you want to spend your ENTIRE life working a job that you don't enjoy, just because it pays decant?

 

[indya]

Most pre-meds choose biology or chemistry as their major because their idiot pre-med advisors told them that they need to if they want to go to medical school or because they had preconcieved notions that medical schools are looking for biology or chemistry majors only. better advice would be to major in what ever you want as long as it is rigorous, yet possible to still get good grades in. you will also hear bad advice that medical schools are looking for 'unique' majors. in reality, your choice of major matters so very little, it is your grades that count. if you like psychology, english, and music, just choose one for your major.

edit: I just saw you are looking at pharmacy, not med. same advice probably applies though.

 

[Lil Mick]

Your major doesn't matter, as long as you do well in your courses. Personally, having a unique combination of majors satisfied my intellectual curiosity (not much time for humanities during medical school) and helped me stand out during the application process. When admissions committees read application after application detailing accomplishments in biology, I'm guessing that they tend to notice the more unusual majors (philosophy, psychology, English...). That being said, if you aren't doing well in your major, it might be best to switch from that major before your GPA drops too much. (Perhaps this is why so many pre-meds major in biology)...

 

[Sunshine120]

For me, majoring in English was an easy choice- I had always wanted to go to med school, but in my senior year I had some health problems (immunosuppression) that made me question whether I could handle a career in medicine. At that point I decided that my plan B would be law school. Getting my BA in English meant that at the end of the day I could have a decent chance of getting into either a law or med school.

Also, I figure the balance of English courses and science courses will keep things dynamic and interesting instead of all science, all day, every day. I get to combine my interests in science and writing

 

[deleted357625]

psychology=interesting.

Also, i think i would have an advantage understanding future patients.

 

[Thisjatti]

My parents definitely geared me for a science related career, and after attending some summer programs, I realized that I was genuinely interested in Biomedical Engineering.

 

[da8s0859q]

I know this question is pretty silly, but I'm dead serious. Did you really follow what you wanted? Was it for the money? Did you regret and change them multiple times?

I majored in a "soft science" which was very interesting to me, but which is not easily turned into a lucrative job -- at least not with a BA/BS-level education. Ultimately, it won't matter on the other side of medical school, but if I could do it over again, I wouldn't have done things the same way.

Would probably have majored in something techy, like MIS / information security-type stuff. At least that's both an interest AND a little better for the job market if it came down to it, and allows for graduate study in similar fields.

 

[CopToEM]

Would probably have majored in something techy, like MIS / information security-type stuff. At least that's both an interest AND a little better for the job market if it came down to it, and allows for graduate study in similar fields.

This is something all high school students should consider. The chances of being accepted to med school are roughly 5% on average so a nice fall back plan is a safe bet.

However, the reality is that you probably have some time to think about it even after beginning college. Your first couple of years will be filled with pre-medical requirements and general education so declaring a major a few semesters into it isn't out of the picture.

Trust me - you will discover new talents, weaknesses, and strengths during your first year or two of college and in many ways grow to be a different, but better, person.

 

[da8s0859q]

This is something all high school students should consider. The chances of being accepted to med school are roughly 5% on average so a nice fall back plan is a safe bet.

However, the reality is that you probably have some time to think about it even after beginning college. Your first couple of years will be filled with pre-medical requirements and general education so declaring a major a few semesters into it isn't out of the picture.

Trust me - you will discover new talents, weaknesses, and strengths during your first year or two of college and in many ways grow to be a different, but better, person.

Agree totally about new talents -- especially when college freshmen all want to go to med school or law school and save the world, but many of them ultimately do something else. But I think that statistic is a little off. About 46% (see here, pdf) of US medical school applicants in 2010 were accepted, including both first-timers and reapplicants.

hSDNers, don't let "almost a 50% shot" fool you. Considering it's both groups, and that many of those applicants have very competitive profiles, it's definitely an uphill battle no matter how you look at it. But now isn't the time to stress out!

 

[Dwindlin]

Right out of HS I earned a B.M. in Percussion...then started working as a full time firefighter. Had I known I wanted to pursue medicine I would have done things much differently.

 

[Terpskins99]

Most pre-meds choose biology or chemistry as their major because their idiot pre-med advisors told them that they need to if they want to go to medical school or because they had preconcieved notions that medical schools are looking for biology or chemistry majors only. better advice would be to major in what ever you want as long as it is rigorous, yet possible to still get good grades in. you will also hear bad advice that medical schools are looking for 'unique' majors. in reality, your choice of major matters so very little, it is your grades that count. if you like psychology, english, and music, just choose one for your major.

edit: I just saw you are looking at pharmacy, not med. same advice probably applies though.

Here's a thought... perhaps most pre-meds choose biology or chemistry because they actually LIKE biology and chemistry. Shocker, I know.

 

[Endolas]

Yes, I picked my major based on my interests. Although it took me awhile to figure out what I was really interested in. It also helps to know your strengths.

 

[CopToEM]

Agree totally about new talents -- especially when college freshmen all want to go to med school or law school and save the world, but many of them ultimately do something else. But I think that statistic is a little off. About 46% (see here, pdf) of US medical school applicants in 2010 were accepted, including both first-timers and reapplicants.

hSDNers, don't let "almost a 50% shot" fool you. Considering it's both groups, and that many of those applicants have very competitive profiles, it's definitely an uphill battle no matter how you look at it. But now isn't the time to stress out!

Thanks for the correction - I meant for that to be 50% and mistyped. I'm glad you caught it because I was out of town for a bit and 5% acceptance rate would have surely depressed anyone!

 

[Iapyx]

You really have to wait until you get there and take a few classes. What you will find is that while you may really like some subjects, you may not like the way they are taught in college. Like english, for example. I love classic lit, love to write, etc. However, I do not like my peers in most english classes, I do not like having to appease the tastes of some grad student in order to get an A, etc, etc. I thought I would major in English, but instead its a hobby. I found the same thing for math, love it but none of the teachers at my school speak comprehensible english. Thus, take a breadth of classes freshman year and go from there. Good luck!

 

[swaffles]

I went into college thinking I would go into some sort of medical field as well, and although that isn't my current direction at the moment, I still might pursue it in the future.

Throughout high school, I had a HUGE interest in science and art. Loved the two subjects to death. But pragmatically speaking, science would give me more options for a career than would art so art just became a really fun and de-stressing hobby for me in between my biology major classes. I was really into neuroscience and thought I'd be a neurologist (to the joy of my Indian parents) but as soon as senior year at college came, I started getting really stressed about even STUDYING for the MCATs. My heart wasn't into it and I did a really shabby job with the whole test and the application - I think I found about ten mistakes in my personal statement after I sent it in, haha. But right after that, I took a public health course in my last semester and I enjoyed it so much so that now I'm in the process of applying to public health programs! After that revelation, I took up a lot of healthcare and human rights internships in this year off between undergrad and grad and loved each one of them.

It doesn't make my parents as happy as med school would have but after the initial bump in my relationship with them, they're okay with it now and are just hoping that I go to a good school. My dad always had the belief that it doesn't really matter what you do, as long as you are the BEST at it. Not entirely true, since I believe you should just do YOUR best at something, but hey. Parents, ammiright.

We discussed me going to pharmacy school but my ideal job lets me travel and see the world (idealistic, I know) and the international health public health programs give me that opportunity while still allowing me to learn science and some medicine.

However, I have come to terms with the fact that I probably won't get paid a lot for what I want to do and I think that's something a lot of people have to think about. Yes, follow what you love to do but also have realistic expectations about it. You want to teach really badly? Do it! But don't expect the salary to keep you happy.

 

[LaurenMCAT]

I know this question is pretty silly, but I'm dead serious. Did you really follow what you wanted? Was it for the money? Did you regret and change them multiple times?

The thing is, I love psychology, english, and music the most. But I know I will have to study for years to get a job if I major in psychology and I don't think I'm good enough to major in music. As for english, I love to read and write, but I doubt that I will have a chance to write a book good enough to publish. (Not to mention it's not my first language)

I am thinking about pharmacy or teaching, but I'm still not sure because I don't have a deep passion for it. I wouldn't really mind but I don't know if I'll actually wake up every morning saying "Oh my, I really love my job!"

I know I got to do what it takes and not everyone gets to have a "dream job".

So I'm just wondering; What's your story behind your choice? 🙂

American Kimchi - these are GREAT questions - one that almost EVERY undergrad student comes up against sometime in their career.

As an undergrad, like swaffles, I loved science and art, too, but I didn't love the idea of medicine enough (at that age) to dedicate 4 undergrad years to slaving away in the science labs. Plus, the kinesiology program at my undergrad wasn't hugely successful in helping seniors land internships or jobs, whereas the art department had a GIANT binder of potential internships waiting for me on a silver platter. And...contrary to what iusesharpies said...majoring in art does NOT guarantee you a 4.0. I had to work my rear end off, pay $$$ for supplies, and pull all-nighters in the studios. But, it was COMPLETELY worth it for me to major in art.

As a senior, I decided, though I loved my art degree, I really needed to revisit kinesiology and so went to graduate school to get my MS and become a Certified Athletic Trainer. Let me tell you - I illustrated nearly every study guide I made for myself and did graphic art stuff for the athletic departments at my grad school, but I was happier on the sidelines of the football field than in the back office of the art gallery I used to work at.

Years down the road (at the age of 26), I finally - FINALLY - learned that, yes, I am smart enough to become a doctor and, yes, I truly love the art and science of medicine enough to commit my entire future to serving my patients.

It's been a loooong road, and will continue to be, but I wouldn't change it for the world. At any given point in my college & adult life, I committed myself to doing what I love and that brings NO regrets.

I made up a fun quote the other day to offer people who tell me I'm too old to start med school (I'm 30): "When you're doing what you love, time doesn't matter. When you're doing what you DON'T love, time is all you can think about."

Who cares if you're not a native English speaker? Major in English! Love what you do! Doors will open for you because you will have that spark and exuberance for, not only your major, but for life. As William Shakespeare wrote in Hamlet, "This above all: to thine own self be true..." (Hamlet Act 1, scene 3, 78–82) 😀

 

[American Kimchi]

Thanks for all the replies everyone 🙂
I do understand that my interest will probably keep wavering around for a while; I just can't stand the uncertainty! I feel so unprepared for the future; It's quite scary.
Some of these posts are more helpful to me then it probably is to others :")

Haha, I'm hoping that I'll soon find what's the best for me..
Sometimes, I end up thinking too far ahead and think about what sort of jobs will allow me to support my future family (Weird, I know haha. I kinda grew up learning that you have to sacrifice and do what it takes..)

Thanks again everyone 🙂

 

[51stCenturyFox]

1. What I find interesting
2. What offers me alternative careers (other than medicine)

It ended up being Honours Biochemistry, but I didn't have a Major until 3rd year (that's junior year for Americans). 😉

 

[ffs]

I would say to choose a major/career, where you can use your strengths...we each master at a certain area, but it doesn't mean our choice of major are going to be easy for us. Decide on a major/career choice in which the best of you is exploited...and you like learning about that area and teaching it to others-looking at it from a different point of view, you teach in every career choice:medicine,doctors to your patients; writer,editor to your readers; and business,entrepreneur to your colleagues and employees.

And do you research, do not follow what you hear through friends:shadow, get counselling, and see how long you will be in school and if you're willing to be a student for that long.

best wishes.

 

[hmockingbird]

I went for what I liked. My favorite subjects were English and History so I originally planned to double-major in those. My high school really pushed the "you have to be a bio/chem major to get into medical school" myth and so since I really don't like basic science, I decided I wanted to be a publisher or editor instead. I figured out that you don't have to even be a science major to get into med school once I got to college so I guess mine was backwards... I switched into pre-med instead of thinking about pre-med while I chose my major. I ended up dropping history down to a minor due to scheduling and I liked English better. Some things to keep in mind.

1. You don't need a science major to get into med school (I assume same for pharm) so do what you like... but also make sure you would enjoy doing something in that field if you don't get into pharmacy school or change your mind about it.

2. At most American schools you have 2 years to decide. Take at least the first semester to try out some different subjects and see what you like.

3. Subjects ARE taught differently at college level so that's why I recommend #2. I wasn't really a fan of English in high school - I just thought it would be more useful to my original career goal. I love English in college. Instead of getting tested on how much we remember from the book or having teacher-led discussions, in college we sit around in circles and talk about what we thought the author meant and weird things that happened in the book and social issues that come up. That's much more fun for me. Similarly, I decided to drop history instead of English because history is much more focused on research and very time-consuming and I enjoy reading novels and writing about them more than I like research.

4. You will find out which things you are passionate about and which are more "hobbies". Though English has been fun for undergrad, I still see it more as a hobby compared to medicine, especially in terms of a lifelong career. Same with history. You can always get involved with ECs/clubs related to other subjects you're interested in but aren't studying actively.

5. English major=/=book publishing. Having a degree is not going to increase your chances of writing the next great American novel. Tons of creative writing majors or even those with masters will tell you that their degree is worth nothing or actually made their writing worse. Just don't go into an English major with this preconception. You don't have to write a book to be a major nor will it really prepare you for doing so (unless it's nonfiction/criticism). Workshops will help you get feedback, but as one of my professors said, the only things that can make you a better creative writer are life experience and practice and you don't need a degree to get either of those. (Also, English major usually equals literature. Some colleges have creative writing majors or specialties so if this is more what you are thinking of doing make sure the college you choose does have the creative writing track. Some don't.) ... I don't mean to burst any bubbles, but I know tons of people who went into the English major with this preconception. If it's what you love, then by all means do it, but just have realistic expectations - both for what the degree guarantees and for what you need to do to complete it. 🙂

 

[Geneticist]

I chose to major in biology because I'm good at it and I like it.

 

[spacecowgirl]

The thing is, I love psychology, english, and music the most.

I am thinking about pharmacy or teaching, but I'm still not sure because I don't have a deep passion for it. I wouldn't really mind but I don't know if I'll actually wake up every morning saying "Oh my, I really love my job!"

I was a double major psych and English because that is what I loved at the time. Still do, actually but it wasn't how I wanted to pay my bills. As you can see, I'm a pharmacist now and I truly love my job.

Major in what interests you, undergrad is one of the few times in your life you can pursue different subjects. You might uncover an interest you didn't know you had. I really enjoyed taking a bunch of different classes even though I did end up having to go back for pharm pre-reqs. I have no regrets at all. Oh, and study abroad 👍