Is getting two degrees worth it?

[plumhill]

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I was initially planning on getting two degrees for my double major (one BS, one BA). However, I was informed today that I couldn't get both degrees unless I do a few extra gen ed courses. If I don't do the two degrees, I get a BS in my science major with my second major listed on my diploma. Regardless, I am planning on doing a thesis for each major. As far as standing out/being viewed favorably by adcoms is concerned, is it worth it to try and get both degrees?

 

[Ja3ger]

Probably not.

 

[SN12357]

I was initially planning on getting two degrees for my double major (one BS, one BA). However, I was informed today that I couldn't get both degrees unless I do a few extra gen ed courses. If I don't do the two degrees, I get a BS in my science major with my second major listed on my diploma. Regardless, I am planning on doing a thesis for each major. As far as standing out/being viewed favorably by adcoms is concerned, is it worth it to try and get both degrees?

Not if it takes extra time and money. You'll end up listing yourself as a double major and it won't look any different to the admissions committee.

I made this same decision, no regrets.

 

[kyamh]

Medical schools don't care about what you major in, they care about the courses you take and how well you do in them as well as your MCAT and ECs and LORs.

SDN has had previous discussions before about BA vs BS and the consensus is that it doesn't matter. There have also been conversations about double majoring, and similarly students who double major don't seem to have a particular edge when applying.

Study what interests you.

 

[rolliespring]

Was planning on doing two degrees, dropped one of them and now getting two minors instead. I have more time for ECs and can focus on getting a more solid GPA with one degree.
Double majors don't have much advantage over others.

 

[Pasmal]

Here's what a few sources have to say about the issue:

Duke University
Surely medical schools will be impressed with me if I double-major? If I triple-major?
No. The important question to ask is, “Have I excelled in an academically rigorous program, including my science courses?”

UC Riverside
Medical school admissions personnel unequivocally state that the undergraduate major is not a consideration in the admissions process. They are interested in the courses that applicants have completed and the grades they have earned. Students interested in pursuing course work in another area might consider a second major provided that they can do so without overextending themselves academically, lowering their grades and therefore jeopardizing their chances of acceptance into medical school. Common sense should prevail in making this decision.

Amherst College
While it is good to have significant strength outside the major, we see no evidence that medical schools are impressed by the addition of a second major per se.

University of Florida
Should I double major or choose a minor? Will that help my chances at acceptance?
Professional schools are concerned with your overall performance. They also desire applicants who take courses in a variety of fields - both science and non-science. So, if deciding to double major or declaring a minor sounds like a good option for you, it is not a bad idea. It will help you explore other subject fields outside of your major and help you to become a well rounded student. Of course, you can also take a variety of courses without declaring a double major or minor. In the end, just like major selection, double majors and minors will have very little impact on your acceptance.

Wofford College
As far as what medical school admissions committees "prefer", most state that your specific undergraduate major or majors are not important. It's the courses you've taken, the grades that you've earned, and the experiences you've accumulated that matter. So for instance while becoming fluent in a foreign language will make you somewhat more competitive, whether or not you complete a major in that language isn't important.

Seems pretty clear to me. It might be worth it to get the extra degree if you're interested enough to consider entering that field later in life (that's why I double-majored), but only if it doesn't make your stress/finances/grades significantly worse. I viewed my extra major (Philosophy) as a nice break from hard science courses. I was happy to take the required classes for the major and had enough AP credits to graduate on time without overloading.

 

[seeinghowitgoes]

I had the same situation a couple years ago. Literally every advisor I talked to said it didn't matter (a dual-degree versus a double major). I was instructed to do what would make me happiest (for the record, I had the space in my schedule for the extra gen ed classes so I opted for the dual-degree, though if I had been forced to take extra time or something I never would have done it). In the end, I was very happy with my application process/season, but literally no school asked or even made a comment about my dual-degree.

 

[PreMedOrDead]

Statistically, each additional major/degree negatively impacts your chance of acceptance.

 

[ace12345]

Depends if you think it will make you happy. If it does, then do it. I doubled in a non-science and I know it significantly improved my reading/writing skills. To me it was worth it, but I definitely do not think the extra major improved my admissions chances in any direct manner.

 

[seeinghowitgoes]

Statistically, each additional major/degree negatively impacts your chance of acceptance.

Is this true? Double Science majors yes, but 1 science 1 non-science I think has a higher acceptance rate.

Regardless, you can't apply population-level statistics to an individual (and who knows what confounders exist in this case that aren't accounted for).

 

[DokterMom]

It might matter for 'Plan B' --As someone who has hired new-ish college graduates, I am more impressed with two degrees than a double major. But that's only if you don't make it into medical school or get a graduate degree of some other type, not if you do. What is your Plan B? And at this point, how likely does it look that you'll need it?

 

[MDOnlyWillDo]

I have no idea if my degrees mattered to adcoms, but I doubt it. I have a BS, BA, and a minor with my BA. I wound up switching majors, only to find out one quarter before graduation that I qualified for all three distinctions. I did not plan this, and never would have done it if it hadn't worked out on its own. They didn't matter to employers either.

 

[plumhill]

Since I'm effectively done with both majors anyways, I know I'll be graduating at least with a double major and a thesis for both majors. But it seems like going a step further and taking the extra gen ed classes isn't worth it. Does that sound right?

 

[PreMedOrDead]

Is this true? Double Science majors yes, but 1 science 1 non-science I think has a higher acceptance rate.

Regardless, you can't apply population-level statistics to an individual (and who knows what confounders exist in this case that aren't accounted for).

A single major has a higher acceptance rate than a double major, regardless of what those majors are. What you're thinking is humanities majors have higher acceptance rates on average, which is true. But it does not change the single -> double -> triple major drop in acceptance rate.

You can't apply population statistics to the individual, but you should be aware of why population statistics exhibit what they do. A double major is more taxing than a single major, and because medical programs do not account for this, multiple majors do more harm than good in general.

Since I'm effectively done with both majors anyways, I know I'll be graduating at least with a double major and a thesis for both majors. But it seems like going a step further and taking the extra gen ed classes isn't worth it. Does that sound right?

The theses will look good, make sure you list their completion. AdComs don't care what degrees you graduate with, just how you did in your coursework. If you will lower your GPA, take additional time you wouldn't have had to, or have to pay additional money for the coursework, do not do it. Otherwise, do what you want.

 

[seeinghowitgoes]

A single major has a higher acceptance rate than a double major, regardless of what those majors are. What you're thinking is humanities majors have higher acceptance rates on average, which is true. But it does not change the single -> double -> triple major drop in acceptance rate.

You can't apply population statistics to the individual, but you should be aware of why population statistics exhibit what they do. A double major is more taxing than a single major, and because medical programs do not account for this, multiple majors do more harm than good in general.



The theses will look good, make sure you list their completion. AdComs don't care what degrees you graduate with, just how you did in your coursework. If you will lower your GPA, take additional time you wouldn't have had to, or have to pay additional money for the coursework, do not do it. Otherwise, do what you want.

I read that science and non-science majors (when combined as a double major) have higher acceptance rates than the average, but perhaps my information is outdated.

As for population statistics, I disagree with the line of thinking. You cannot assume programs don't take into consideration that they are more taxing. You also do not know what confounders exist (for example, is there a selection bias with the type of people that pursue double majors that would make them less likely to get into med school even if they had a single major). As such, in this case I would still say it's too complex to take a general observation and apply it to an individual, hence why I would just do whatever makes you (the indefinite you) happiest without throwing medical school into the equation.

 

[kyamh]

Get ready for some over-generalizations!

double/triple majors = gunners
gunners = overconfident and cocky
overconfident and cocky = applies to Harvard/Hopkins/Stanford/Yale and a few safeties like UPenn and Columbia
too many reach schools = few interviews
few interviews + overconfident = waitlists and rejections
overconfidence = poor upkeep of ECs and grades
poor EC upkeep = reapplication fail

😀

 

[MDOnlyWillDo]

Get ready for some over-generalizations!

double/triple majors = gunners
gunners = overconfident and cocky
overconfident and cocky = applies to Harvard/Hopkins/Stanford/Yale and a few safeties like UPenn and Columbia
too many reach schools = few interviews
few interviews + overconfident = waitlists and rejections
overconfidence = poor upkeep of ECs and grades
poor EC upkeep = reapplication fail

😀

Where do the double degree people fall on this list? 😉

 

[cullsxf]

I know I'll be graduating at least with a double major and a thesis for both majors.

 

[Pasmal]

Get ready for some over-generalizations!

I should have just stopped reading here...

 

[inycepoo]

A single major has a higher acceptance rate than a double major, regardless of what those majors are. What you're thinking is humanities majors have higher acceptance rates on average, which is true. But it does not change the single -> double -> triple major drop in acceptance rate.

You can't apply population statistics to the individual, but you should be aware of why population statistics exhibit what they do. A double major is more taxing than a single major, and because medical programs do not account for this, multiple majors do more harm than good in general.

Citation?

 

[487806]

I was initially planning on getting two degrees for my double major (one BS, one BA). However, I was informed today that I couldn't get both degrees unless I do a few extra gen ed courses. If I don't do the two degrees, I get a BS in my science major with my second major listed on my diploma. Regardless, I am planning on doing a thesis for each major. As far as standing out/being viewed favorably by adcoms is concerned, is it worth it to try and get both degrees?

Do it because you're interested in. I know it sounds clichéd, but med schools don't care about your major/degrees. As long as you enjoy what you're doing, you'll succeed

 

[SN12357]

Most people here seem to have misunderstood what the OP's question actually was. He isn't asking if he should double major or not. He's asking if he should take the extra time and money to have the university officially give him two degrees. Everyone can keep arguing about the benefits or not of being a double major, but it's irrelevant to the question.

If you plan on going to medical school, getting two bachelor's degrees is worth even less than it is in the real world, and definitely not worth it for extra time/money. Not a very complicated question; there's basically no practical difference between double majoring and 'officially' having both degrees.

 

[487806]

Most people here seem to have misunderstood what the OP's question actually was. He isn't asking if he should double major or not. He's asking if he should take the extra time and money to have the university officially give him two degrees. Everyone can keep arguing about the benefits or not of being a double major, but it's irrelevant to the question.

If you plan on going to medical school, getting two bachelor's degrees is worth even less than it is in the real world, and definitely not worth it for extra time/money. Not a very complicated question; there's basically no practical difference between double majoring and 'officially' having both degrees.

Yeah I guess I got confused because of this

As far as standing out/being viewed favorably by adcoms is concerned, is it worth it to try and get both degrees?

which basically led me to naturally conclude that it's not needed. Clearly, it's a waste of time to pursue a rigorous commitment to two majors/degrees when it isn't worth it.

 

[SonyVaio5510]

Do it because you're interested in. I know it sounds clichéd, but med schools don't care about your major/degrees. As long as you enjoy what you're doing, you'll succeed

I totally agree. I have two degrees, but because I just happened to have taken those courses. One is a science degree from my early pre-med years, second is a social science degree from when i no longer wanted to be a doctor and was exploring my interests. It made sense in explaining my own story and helped validate it when I went back to deciding to apply to med school but I think that's specific to me. But when people ask about it, I tell them I "double majored" and i nEVER mention the two degrees unless they specifically ask, which they 90% don't. I don't say "actually, I have two degrees" because everyone knows it doesn't matter and it just makes me sound like I care about that insignificant distinction.

I don't agree with the post that said double major=gunner which =cocky which =poor ec's etc. I think that only applies if you're cocky -> gunner -> therefore you double major because all you care about is your resume. yeah don't do that. 🙂

 

[knv2u]

Statistically, each additional major/degree negatively impacts your chance of acceptance.

What are you basing your comment on?

 

[Captain Sisko]

Most people here seem to have misunderstood what the OP's question actually was. He isn't asking if he should double major or not. He's asking if he should take the extra time and money to have the university officially give him two degrees. Everyone can keep arguing about the benefits or not of being a double major, but it's irrelevant to the question.

If you plan on going to medical school, getting two bachelor's degrees is worth even less than it is in the real world, and definitely not worth it for extra time/money. Not a very complicated question; there's basically no practical difference between double majoring and 'officially' having both degrees.

Agree. I got two degrees and whenever I've told employers or adcoms they don't know the difference. I've switched to saying "I picked up a pair of degrees in undergrad" but to other people's points, i doubt it makes much difference. OP, take the easier route- even as a backup plan, there's little value in getting a double degree over a double major.