I need some advice...

[Doc2019]

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I am currently a Biology major and after my first semester of college I am considering becoming a Chemistry major. I'm considering becoming a Chemistry major is because after my first semester of General Chemistry I got an A. I like Chemistry and I like getting into the mix of a problem. Also, I want to be a Chemistry major because I heard that everyone is a Biology major and that medical schools favor other sciences. However, what's holding me back is that after talking to my current Chemistry professor, Pre-health dean, and the head of our university's Dean, they've all come to the consensus that the chemistry major is a much more difficult path but say I can do it since I seem to like Chemistry and did well in gen chem. However, I'm sure we've all been in that situation where professors tell you that you can take and specific course and do really well but when you really get to doing that it's not as easy as it sounded. Hence, I'm stuck wit the question: Should I just stick with being a Biology major? I like Bio and I like Chem but I just like Chem more rn because it's a bit easier for me tbh. But what if I go three years into Chemistry and I'm facing physical chemistry and all these very difficult concepts whereas I could've just stayed in Biology where it's just memorizing. (I'm not saying I'd stay in Biology only because it's "easier" but because I also find it interesting just I find Chemistry a bit more interesting currently) Ultimately, what I'm asking you guys is: Am I choosing to switch for all the bad reasons? Am I being misled by my gen chem grade? Is the fact that one of the reasons why I am considering Chem instead of Bio is because I'll "stand" out more a bad idea? I apologize for the huge rant but I just want some opinions and inputs from your experiences.

 

[WedgeDawg]

1. No one will care what you major in

2. Major in what you're interested in. If it turns out it's really hard later, you can try to switch your major. However, you're more likely to be motivated to try harder if you're learning about something you're interested in. If you don't think you'll be able to hack chemistry later, major in something like biochemistry instead so you can hedge your bets.

3. Biology and Chemistry are literally the two most common premed majors. Neither will make you "stand out" even if majors did matter.

 

[Doc2019]

Thank you for those helpful comments. However, isn't it better to major in a science that isn't Biology tho? I feel most students are Bio majors when applying to med school

 

[WedgeDawg]

Thank you for those helpful comments. However, isn't it better to major in a science that isn't Biology tho? I feel most students are Bio majors when applying to med school

No one will care

 

[Atomnicbomb]

I think you have raised some great concerns and seem genuinely interested in making the correct decision for your academic life. And I am sure others will gladly assist you in analyzing which path is the one for you and what reasons you should have when contemplating a new major. But what I want to share with you is this thought: College is what you make of it. You could major in a field irrelevant to medicine, take all of the required and recommended pre-medical courses, and become the best medical doctor the world has ever seen. You have to above all else follow your heart, follow a plan, and do your absolute best, no matter what your major is.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile app

 

[eteshoe]

I am currently a Biology major and after my first semester of college I am considering becoming a Chemistry major. I'm considering becoming a Chemistry major is because after my first semester of General Chemistry I got an A. I like Chemistry and I like getting into the mix of a problem. Also, I want to be a Chemistry major because I heard that everyone is a Biology major and that medical schools favor other sciences. However, what's holding me back is that after talking to my current Chemistry professor, Pre-health dean, and the head of our university's Dean, they've all come to the consensus that the chemistry major is a much more difficult path but say I can do it since I seem to like Chemistry and did well in gen chem. However, I'm sure we've all been in that situation where professors tell you that you can take and specific course and do really well but when you really get to doing that it's not as easy as it sounded. Hence, I'm stuck wit the question: Should I just stick with being a Biology major? I like Bio and I like Chem but I just like Chem more rn because it's a bit easier for me tbh. But what if I go three years into Chemistry and I'm facing physical chemistry and all these very difficult concepts whereas I could've just stayed in Biology where it's just memorizing. (I'm not saying I'd stay in Biology only because it's "easier" but because I also find it interesting just I find Chemistry a bit more interesting currently) Ultimately, what I'm asking you guys is: Am I choosing to switch for all the bad reasons? Am I being misled by my gen chem grade? Is the fact that one of the reasons why I am considering Chem instead of Bio is because I'll "stand" out more a bad idea? I apologize for the huge rant but I just want some opinions and inputs from your experiences.

As @WedgeDawg mentioned, your major ultimately won't matter as long as you complete the appropriate pre-reqs. That being said - gen chem is the easiest (IMO) of the chemistry branches that a typical major will encompass. I don't really see why you can't just stay a bio major and take chem classes for fun. Or whatever other fun classes.

 

[Doc2019]

I actually never thought about that eteshoe. Thank you for that suggestion. Thank you all for the advice. I really appreciate it.

 

[ndafife]

Thank you for those helpful comments. However, isn't it better to major in a science that isn't Biology tho? I feel most students are Bio majors when applying to med school

If I've said it once, I've said it 1000 times.

This isn't Legally Blonde.

 

[Cardboard101]

Major in what you want. If you can't decide between Bio and Chem, pick Bio. Or go into biochem.
I double majored in chem E. and bio. Physical chemistry/physics/quantum mechanics are difficult and extremely time consuming to learn and I really don't see how they'd be useful in med school. Whereas my bio classes seem like they'd be helpful. Especially biochem and neuroscience.

 

[JessebenBenjamin]

My faculty interviewer at UCSF majored in music back when he was an undergrad. Major in whatever you like the most, but keep in mind that 1 Gen Chem class doesn't really represent the whole major of chemistry.

 

[haaaaaaaaaaveyoumetted]

When choosing between bio and chem, I looked at the upper level courses and chose the one I got the most excited about, or discussed with professors what those courses entailed since it's hard to know the scope of the major after the intro courses. Since your major is not going to affect your chances of medical school, do something similar and go with what excites you the most

 

[KungFuPanda123]

If you're pretty certain that you want to be some sort of science major/become a doctor, just work on your pre-reqs. You'll figure out if chemistry is right for you once you start taking physics. Do know that chemistry is much more physics heavy than biology is. As a result, if you feel like physics is extremely difficult, I would caution you to avoid the chemistry pathway.

The year of pchem will be a thorn in your side, along with the 1 year of physics required for chemistry majors