I don't know much about social work as a major. Can anyone fill me in? Also, I know that medical schools frown upon vocational majors like nursing and business, will being a social work major hurt me? Has anyone else done it?
Is Social Work a good Pre-Med Major?
- Thread starter indya
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Should move this to pre-allo
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Any major is fine as long as the pre-reqs are completed.
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Unless you plan on also getting a PhD or want to do research over practice, then you don't need to major in science - just get the prereqs.
I've heard med schools look favorably upon majors such as anthropology, that show the ability and desire to work with diverse peoples and cultures. You could probably write about social work in a favorable way as well.
I've heard med schools look favorably upon majors such as anthropology, that show the ability and desire to work with diverse peoples and cultures. You could probably write about social work in a favorable way as well.
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You can do both of those without a BS in science, a BSW could get a PhD in a related discipline within the social sciences and do research. Examples would be Ph.D. in sociology and MD/DO doing socioeconomics/race/gender/orientation and medicine. Or get a Ph.D. in public health or path. Research can be done by people with MD/DO only. In fact most clinical work is done by them and you can still do bench work as a MD/DO.
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In my opinion, a BSW is a GREAT pre-med major. An advantage the BSW gives you is field experience. While you could get those experiences as any other major, those experiences are built in the program.
Field experience, which may or may not me medically or clinically related, can be advantageous for many reasons. One reason is that it gives you something interesting and unique to write about in personal statements. Another advantage is that you can get letters of recommendations from supervisors or doctors if you're in a clinical setting. Finally, I feel that those field experiences will also help you grow and mature as a person. You may come to develop a unique perspective, different from hard science majors.
Like I said, all of these things can be accomplished regardless of major, and I suppose getting a BSW doesn't ensure that you will have these advantages.
It's also important to note that these advantages are icing on the cake. You still need a strong background in science (which can be accomplished with good grades in your pre-reqs) and a good MCAT score. However, I'm assuming you will have these. Many of your competitors will.
In short, I think a BSW can help set you apart, but not necessarily above.
Field experience, which may or may not me medically or clinically related, can be advantageous for many reasons. One reason is that it gives you something interesting and unique to write about in personal statements. Another advantage is that you can get letters of recommendations from supervisors or doctors if you're in a clinical setting. Finally, I feel that those field experiences will also help you grow and mature as a person. You may come to develop a unique perspective, different from hard science majors.
Like I said, all of these things can be accomplished regardless of major, and I suppose getting a BSW doesn't ensure that you will have these advantages.
It's also important to note that these advantages are icing on the cake. You still need a strong background in science (which can be accomplished with good grades in your pre-reqs) and a good MCAT score. However, I'm assuming you will have these. Many of your competitors will.
In short, I think a BSW can help set you apart, but not necessarily above.
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There is no professional schools that i am aware of (med/dent/pharm) that really care a whole lot about your major. Have a high GPA, take your pre-med requirements, do well on your professional exam ie: MCAT, and be well rounded with volunteering / life experience.
No major should be chosen to impress adcoms for med school. Simply because your major is really pretty insignificant.... do what interests you. If you like social work, then do social work. If you think it will help you with medicine then do it. The same can be applied to any major. The bottom line is that med schools will say how did this applicant do in Gen Chem, O Chem, Bio, Anatomy, Physics, Bio Chem, etc. How did they do on the MCAT? Do they have good letters of rec? How much volunteering did they do? Are they personable? The last thing they might consider is.... hmm they majored in business management, social work, music, whatever... that might bring new experience to our school and make it more diverse. But thats about it.
Bottom line... major in what interests you... the only reason there are so many bio/chem majors in pre-professional programs is because half of the pre reqs count toward that degree! Personally i am dual majoring in Communication and Sociology... i love them both, either way i still have to do the pre reqs and take the DAT for dental school... and thats what matters.
Good Luck!!!! 😀😀😀
No major should be chosen to impress adcoms for med school. Simply because your major is really pretty insignificant.... do what interests you. If you like social work, then do social work. If you think it will help you with medicine then do it. The same can be applied to any major. The bottom line is that med schools will say how did this applicant do in Gen Chem, O Chem, Bio, Anatomy, Physics, Bio Chem, etc. How did they do on the MCAT? Do they have good letters of rec? How much volunteering did they do? Are they personable? The last thing they might consider is.... hmm they majored in business management, social work, music, whatever... that might bring new experience to our school and make it more diverse. But thats about it.
Bottom line... major in what interests you... the only reason there are so many bio/chem majors in pre-professional programs is because half of the pre reqs count toward that degree! Personally i am dual majoring in Communication and Sociology... i love them both, either way i still have to do the pre reqs and take the DAT for dental school... and thats what matters.
Good Luck!!!! 😀😀😀
