Is a Sociology legit for Med School?

[bing12]

my sister asked me this question. she is a sophomore in college and isnt sure if its a good enough major for med school. What do you guys think? if you dont think its a legit major, what list of majors do you recommend?

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[LRAccord624]

It doesn't matter what your sister majors in, as long as she gets good grades in both her major courses and her pre-med curriculum.

 

[McPoyle]

Doesn't matter, personally I would encourage her or anyone else for that matter to major in whatever they feel drawn to academically. For me I really liked my biology major and the courses it entailed, but if I had to go back and do it again I would have majored in something that I found more interesting (political science, american studies, etc.).

As long as the med school pre reqs are done, it doesn't matter what y'all study, hell I even know people in my class who created their own major, got a bach. of individualized studies, and are doing fine.

 

[Catalystik]

Any major is fine, so long as her grades are good. If she is drawn to Sociology, she is more likely to excel in the coursework. You might suggest avoiding Underwater Basketweaving, though, as there are so many jokes about it.

 

[Wermz]

I don't think Sociology is a legit major in any circumstance lol

 

[indya]

.

 

[bing12]

so anthropology would be better? Ok ill tell her. Is sociology considered a really easy major? I think its easier, but i dont think its like political science and or english.haha

 

[Wermz]

It is definitely considered an easy major, perhaps even the easiest. Take a look at the rosters for a few D1 football teams and by far the most popular major is sociology.

It's interesting stuff I guess but imo there are much better/useful classes to spend your money and time on.

 

[indya]

so anthropology would be better? Ok ill tell her. Is sociology considered a really easy major? I think its easier, but i dont think its like political science and or english.haha

it really doesn't matter, but if she is interested in sociology, she might be interested in anthropology. a lot of schools put the two majors in the same department, because of their similarity.

 

[ssahjm]

Agree with what everyone else said. I would mention, though, that it would be wise to go above and beyond the basic medical school science requirements. Just because they only want a couple years of bio doesn't mean she should stop there. If she can, she should try to get in a few upper level courses (cell biology, genetics, biochem, etc.) — not only will they make her transcript look more substantial, but they will also give her a tiny bit of preparation for the insanely difficult pre-clinical years. Best of luck to your sister. 👍

 

[Remuneration]

If she enjoys sociology she should major in it. Don't pressure her to decide based on what some know-nothing, neurotic pre-meds think about what are and aren't good majors.

 

[turkaglew]

take everything I say with a grain of salt, but I wish I would have majored in something that emphasizes problem solving more i.e. math, chemistry, physics. My major was straight memorization, which I feel did not help me prepare for the MCAT

 

[chman]

Pre med 101----> MAJOR DOESN'T MATTER!!

Sorry, but those words are echoed on here time and time again. If your sister wants to major in sociology than that's fine. In fact, I think it's a good pre-med major because as a doctor one deals with social issues everyday.

 

[ElChamaco]

Anthro is way cooler though...

 

[the duck]

Pre med 101----> MAJOR DOESN'T MATTER!!

Sorry, but those words are echoed on here time and time again. If your sister wants to major in sociology than that's fine. In fact, I think it's a good pre-med major because as a doctor one deals with social issues everyday.

Its agreed that any academic major is fine. I think sociology has a reputation for being probably the easiest major. That said, any stigmatism adcoms will have about the major will be far made up for by the boost the gpa of your sister. she should just be really careful to do quite well in her prereqs as to show adcoms she can handle the hard course work.

 

[chman]

Its agreed that any academic major is fine. I think sociology has a reputation for being probably the easiest major. That said, any stigmatism adcoms will have about the major will be far made up for by the boost the gpa of your sister. she should just be really careful to do quite well in her prereqs as to show adcoms she can handle the hard course work.

The only major I've heard any real argument against is nursing (which I agree with). Care to enlighten me about any others?

 

[chman]

Anthro is way cooler though...

Agreed. But that's the thing about these major questions; we all have preferences, and what is interesting to one may not be to another. Similarly, what one person excels at, someone else may not, rendering the only suitable answer to this question being; what you can do well at, and what you enjoy.

 

[ssahjm]

It might also help if you can find a way to tie your major together with your goals in medicine (i.e. through a research project, volunteering, some type of EC). I knew someone who was a communications major, and (s)he did a huge thesis-type of project analyzing doctor-patient communication in hospitals and how to improve it. I always thought that was cool because it addressed an important area of medicine and was not strictly bench work. 🙂

 

[doccody]

I'm actually a Sociology major myself and felt this same thing. But after talking to others and different advisors I have decided to stick to something that intrests me and still do the pre-med work. Same as everything else has said above.. major doesn't matter!

 

[ElChamaco]

It might also help if you can find a way to tie your major together with your goals in medicine (i.e. through a research project, volunteering, some type of EC). I knew someone who was a communications major, and (s)he did a huge thesis-type of project analyzing doctor-patient communication in hospitals and how to improve it. I always thought that was cool because it addressed an important area of medicine and was not strictly bench work. 🙂

I've done both med sociology research and med anthro research...

Anthro is way more fun to read and do unless you really like statistics or are French (and in France).

To the op: Tell your sister to look into the following books: Mountains beyond Mountains, Pathologies of Power and In Search of Respect to get a taste of anthro/med anthro and she will see how much cooler anthro is than soc.

Thats my advice. No, the major doesn't matter though as everyone else has said.

 

[DrBowtie]

I don't think Sociology is a legit major in any circumstance lol

This needs more love.

 

[BigRedBeta]

my sister asked me this question. she is a sophomore in college and isnt sure if its a good enough major for med school. What do you guys think? if you dont think its a legit major, what list of majors do you recommend?

As someone who graduated with a degree in Sociology and is now a second year resident, it's absolutely a viable major.

 

[ronaldo23]

I don't think Sociology is a legit major in any circumstance lol

lmao this. Sociology= athletes + sorority girls + smart premeds who realize the major is an easy grade booster. Sociology can be useful for a pre-med, pre-law, pre-business student looking to take easy liberal arts classes that can be somewhat interesting and fun, but as a trade in and of itself, sociology is arguably top 3 least useful and legit majors in college.

 

[Longshanks]

who cares about the "ease" of the major. She should major in whatever she likes and what she will do best in. There are no required majors for medical school, just the required courses (intro bio, chem, orgo, & physics). Do what you get the most personal and intellectual fulfillment out of.

 

[ElChamaco]

lmao this. Sociology= athletes + sorority girls + smart premeds who realize the major is an easy grade booster. Sociology can be useful for a pre-med, pre-law, pre-business student looking to take easy liberal arts classes that can be somewhat interesting and fun, but as a trade in and of itself, sociology is arguably top 3 least useful and legit majors in college.

I guess no one told this guy that:

"Nicholas A. Christakis, MD, PhD, MPH, is an internist and social scientist who conducts research on social factors that affect health, health care, and longevity. He is Professor of Medical Sociology in the Department of Health Care Policy at Harvard Medical School; Professor of Medicine in the Department of Medicine at Harvard Medical School; and Professor of Sociology in the Department of Sociology in the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences."

http://christakis.med.harvard.edu/

 

[PsychEpathic]

Underwater basket weaving sounds pretty damn hard to to me!!

 

[indya]

.

 

[ElChamaco]

obviously, if you want to be a sociologist, sociology is probably a decent major.

He is also a practicing physician and professor of medicine. My post was in response to the guy that claimed sociology was not a serious ("legit") field of study.

 

[chman]

obviously, if you want to be a sociologist, sociology is probably a decent major.

Well, he is also a doctor, which I think was the important part.

 

[Wermz]

That one example is obviously fake.

 

[PsychEpathic]

I have a degree in biology and sociology. While sociology may be "easier," it does require some effort. Sociology, to some people, would be a pain as they may be terrible writers. Some of my biology classes just required memorization, which is beats writing 30 page papers! It really just depends on the student. And when it comes down to it, the MCAT is probably just as important as major and major gpa. I think a sociology major with a 30+ MCAT would fare just as well in the awful process that is applying to medical school.

 

[PsychEpathic]

And Wermz needs to find something else to keep himself/herself busy, rather that instigating...

 

[ElChamaco]

I have a degree in biology and sociology. While sociology may be "easier," it does require some effort. Sociology, to some people, would be a pain as they may be terrible writers. Some of my biology classes just required memorization, which is beats writing 30 page papers! It really just depends on the student. And when it comes down to it, the MCAT is probably just as important as major and major gpa. I think a sociology major with a 30+ MCAT would fare just as well in the awful process that is applying to medical school.

You didn't do sociobiology did you? Did you have a chance to do any soc researach?

 

[PsychEpathic]

You didn't do sociobiology did you? Did you have a chance to do any soc researach?

No, I did sociology and biology! I never did any research in sociology except for the statistically flawed assignment that I did for a methods class. I do think that sociological research can be siginificant tool in terms of creating policy and addressing trends and inequities. Just my opinion...

 

[ElChamaco]

No, I did sociology and biology! I never did any research in sociology except for the statistically flawed assignment that I did for a methods class. I do think that sociological research can be siginificant tool in terms of creating policy and addressing trends and inequities. Just my opinion...

Certainly, statistical research is more useful for policy than basic science.

 

[chman]

Certainly, statistical research is more useful for policy than basic science.

Sociological research is not just statistics...

 

[saveourpens]

Well, I'm a senior, and I'm majoring in Sociology. I figured I'd learn more than enough science in med school.

 

[ElChamaco]

Sociological research is not just statistics...

Yes I'm well aware of that but the quantitative approach dominates nearly every US sociology department and is by far the most prevalent type of sociology practiced in the States.

 

[chman]

Yes I'm well aware of that but the quantitative approach dominates nearly every US sociology department and is by far the most prevalent type of sociology practiced in the States.

That's not really the point. Your statement seemed to suggest that natural science research is the only area of academics that is worthy of influencing social policy. The fact is sociological issues are a huge part of policy. Yes, quantitative measures are used, but they are also highly qualitative.

 

[ElChamaco]

That's not really the point. Your statement seemed to suggest that natural science research is the only area of academics that is worthy of influencing social policy. The fact is sociological issues are a huge part of policy. Yes, quantitative measures are used, but they are also highly qualitative.

I'm sorry, I wasn't clear in my initial post. My laughter was because obviously basic science research is not meant to address questions of policy. So, if we think policy issues are important, we have to pursue other research approaches, for example those of sociology. So anyone who completely devalues social sciences (soc included) is just being myopic.

 

[chman]

I'm sorry, I wasn't clear in my initial post. My laughter was because obviously basic science research is not meant to address questions of policy. So, if we think policy issues are important, we have to pursue other research approaches, for example those of sociology. So anyone who completely devalues social sciences (soc included) is just being myopic.

Ahh. Ok.

 

[PsychEpathic]

I mentioned the obvious value of sociological research, as it is not so obvious to some of the condescending folks knocking the major.

 

[Wermz]

If you're gonna be a sociologist that contributes to society, go for it. A sociology major is great. Otherwise, why not just read some books about feminism and Arabs and whatever else. Let me put it this way: no child of mine will spend my hard-earned money on a Sociology major unless they have a really convincing plan.

 

[45408]

I don't think Sociology is a legit major in any circumstance lol

this

 

[ElChamaco]

this

🙄