How much does a minor matter?

[caliontues]

How much do medical schools care to see that you have a minor in something not related to pre-med requirements etc? It seems that schools in general are pulling more applicants from non-premed discplines or with experience outside premed. I'm graduating this year, and I am one class away, but this class (economic policy analysis) is killing me and would require so much work, i.e. time away from completing my honors thesis, a possible hit on my GPA, etc. Also, I am REtaking the MCAT in April so I definitely want to make sure I do well this time around in order to have a chance at the competitive schools. Maybe. I am interested in doing a MPH along with the MD, so I will just take the classes later when I really need to, right?

Do I need to focus myself? Or continue broadening my academic horizons in the last push?

Thanks for hearing me out-- let me know what you think or if you're in a similar situation...

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[51487]

I decided to major in bio and minor in psych, chem, and math...I think that its a good idea? I think most people would tell you to take advantage of your time before med school to be doing all of the things that you're intersted in that you never can again?

 

[dr.z]

Continue to broaden your academic horizons and do well. If you can budget time well and be successful while completing extra things, go for it. It should help you and will make you a unique applicant.

 

[Bap2qwrq7]

How much do medical schools care to see that you have a minor in something not related to pre-med requirements etc? It seems that schools in general are pulling more applicants from non-premed discplines or with experience outside premed. I'm graduating this year, and I am one class away, but this class (economic policy analysis) is killing me and would require so much work, i.e. time away from completing my honors thesis, a possible hit on my GPA, etc. Also, I am REtaking the MCAT in April so I definitely want to make sure I do well this time around in order to have a chance at the competitive schools. Maybe. I am interested in doing a MPH along with the MD, so I will just take the classes later when I really need to, right?

Do I need to focus myself? Or continue broadening my academic horizons in the last push?

Thanks for hearing me out-- let me know what you think or if you're in a similar situation...

Schools do appreciate applicants that are unique, but numbers do matter if you want to get your foot in the door. If the class is that hard, don't take it. Focus on your MCATs and current classes and maintaing a good GPA. If you take this class, I don't think it would be worth the GPA hit or possibly putting your MCATs on the back burner. Don't spread yourself out too thin. Focus on doing a few things but doing them well.

 

[synapse lapse]

How will one calss hurt your GPA that much. If you are one class away from graudating, you already have 120+ hours, even a C won't make much of a difference. Anyhow, minors don't really matter that much, my school doesn't even offer minors. I say since you are already applying soon, drop the class if u feel it is going to severely hinder your MCAT. If not, then just stay in it and get your minor. Thank about how you will feel long term about not having that minor do to one class, if it is that important to you. I don't think it will have an impact on medical admissions.

 

[doc05]

your minor doesn't matter.

 

[AStudent]

My University doesn't even offer minors.....I still got in.

 

[DieselPetrolGrl]

How much do medical schools care to see that you have a minor in something not related to pre-med requirements etc? It seems that schools in general are pulling more applicants from non-premed discplines or with experience outside premed. I'm graduating this year, and I am one class away, but this class (economic policy analysis) is killing me and would require so much work, i.e. time away from completing my honors thesis, a possible hit on my GPA, etc. Also, I am REtaking the MCAT in April so I definitely want to make sure I do well this time around in order to have a chance at the competitive schools. Maybe. I am interested in doing a MPH along with the MD, so I will just take the classes later when I really need to, right?

Do I need to focus myself? Or continue broadening my academic horizons in the last push?

Thanks for hearing me out-- let me know what you think or if you're in a similar situation...

minors are minor and do not matter majorly

 

[DrThom]

The med schools don't even look at your minors...

I had to tell them that I minored in music at the interviews and even then they were like "oh...that's great"

pick something you like.

 

[Law2Doc]

The med schools don't even look at your minors...

I had to tell them that I minored in music at the interviews and even then they were like "oh...that's great"

pick something you like.

I would tend to agree with this. If it interests you and you are close, you may as well get the minor. But don't expect it to have any significant impact on the med school app process.
It's probably not useful to use what looks good to med schools as the driving force in selecting your college curriculum anyhow -- people of every major/minor can get in. Just take the things you like and want to learn more about, and keep the GPA up, and you will be fine.

 

[Winged Scapula]

your minor doesn't matter.

...or it matters minorly. 😉

 

[DieselPetrolGrl]

...or it matters minorly. 😉

this is majorly the truth 👍

 

[Siggy]

...or it matters minorly. 😉

I would expect it would matter minorly in the same sense that not being a bio major helps. From what I have gathered, if there were 3 canidates and, all other things (GPA, MCAT, etc) being equal, one majored in a non-science, one was a bio major with a non-science minor, and one was a straight bio student, that they would be accepted in that order.

Like the major, it will be a slight advantage if anything. I would not put all my eggs in the minor basket for getting into med school.