I'm lost. Help?

[SnowInVenice]

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I am a high school senior and I am in the top 10% of my class of 519. I have a weighted GPA of 4.454 and unweighted 3.617. My composite ACT score is 24. I have taken multiple honors' courses, will have taken 8 dual credit courses, and 2 AP courses (1 in progress). I was a tutor for half of my junior year and I am now involved in HOSA (health-oriented) and Beta Club (community service club). Unfortunately, I didn't take freshman year very seriously.

I feel bad that I do not have the credentials for a BS/MD program, but I know I will be accepted into the public colleges where I want to go in my state, which is small. There are only 3 MD schools and 1 DO.

I am quite confused and need advice on what major I should do. I am interested in Computer Information Systems, Biology, or Data Science. What is recommended? I want to have options if I do not get accepted or I lose interest in medicine.

(sorry this thread is unorganized. I'm writing this in class)

 

[FlowLimited]

There are certain prerequisite courses that all medical schools require. As long as you complete these requirements, you are free to study whatever you please. You should major in whatever interests you most for two reasons. First, a high GPA is an essential part of a successful medical school application and students tend to perform better in courses that interest them. Second, acceptance to medical school is never guaranteed and a viable backup plan or career is useful to have.

 

[SnowInVenice]

There are certain prerequisite courses that all medical schools require. As long as you complete these requirements, you are free to study whatever you please. You should major in whatever interests you most for two reasons. First, a high GPA is an essential part of a successful medical school application and students tend to perform better in courses that interest them. Second, acceptance to medical school is never guaranteed and a viable backup plan or career is useful to have.

I want to major in Computer Information Systems, but I read a statistic that 3/4 of medical school matriculants are biology majors. Wouldn't this only put my chances at 1/4 at the already low acceptance rate?

 

[FlowLimited]

The statistics reflect the fact that there is a large number of applicants who major in biology, not that there is a preference for them.

 

[grapp]

I want to major in Computer Information Systems, but I read a statistic that 3/4 of medical school matriculants are biology majors. Wouldn't this only put my chances at 1/4 at the already low acceptance rate?

Biology is really a basic fundamental of medicine in my opinion... It breaks everything down to a cell. Many premedical students do have an interest in Biology. But, I don't think this means you should do it just for that reason. I'm currently majoring in Health Science but I'm thinking about doing a double major in Health Science and Psychology. Anyhow, there are people who major in anything and still get accepted. Honestly? I think it would be cool if you pursued something else and I think an admittance committee could see the same thing? Why? It shows uniqueness, it doesn't show you like every other applicant that walks in the door with a biology or biochemistry degree. I think it separates you from the pack if I'm being honest. Although I'm a first-year premed, I'd like to think it separates you from the pack. Just make sure you have the pre-reqs.

 

[Neuroplasticity]

Like @grapp mentioned, biology is probably only a common premed major because pre-meds find it interesting. I have been in a room with a med school dean that said he prefers applicants that have more nontraditional undergrad majors (not that a bio degree will hurt you).

I think it is smart that you are thinking about a major that could be a viable backup plan, like something technology or engineering related.

 

[Moose A Moose]

I want to major in Computer Information Systems, but I read a statistic that 3/4 of medical school matriculants are biology majors. Wouldn't this only put my chances at 1/4 at the already low acceptance rate?

Major in what you're interested in. The highest numbers of matriculants consist of bio majors, but they also make up the lowest GPA pool for applicants because they think "that's what you're supposed to do". I was a biology major, but if I could do it again I'd have only minored (to get premed credentials out of the way) in it and instead done history as my concentration. Live and learn.

 

[TexasSurgeon]

I am a high school senior and I am in the top 10% of my class of 519. I have a weighted GPA of 4.454 and unweighted 3.617. My composite ACT score is 24. I have taken multiple honors' courses, will have taken 8 dual credit courses, and 2 AP courses (1 in progress). I was a tutor for half of my junior year and I am now involved in HOSA (health-oriented) and Beta Club (community service club). Unfortunately, I didn't take freshman year very seriously.

I feel bad that I do not have the credentials for a BS/MD program, but I know I will be accepted into the public colleges where I want to go in my state, which is small. There are only 3 MD schools and 1 DO.

I am quite confused and need advice on what major I should do. I am interested in Computer Information Systems, Biology, or Data Science. What is recommended? I want to have options if I do not get accepted or I lose interest in medicine.

(sorry this thread is unorganized. I'm writing this in class)

Like everyone else has said, major in what you want (CIS). Just follow the pre-requisites needed for medical school which you can find online. And do well on your mcat, and you will be fine.

Don't be upset you didn't get into the BS/MD program. Thousands get into medical school (including me) and do not have admission into those cool programs.