Major Choice

[JaggerPlate]

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Okay this one may get locked in a second because there is probably something about it somewhere, but I searched all over and checked faq and couldn't find it. My question is regarding a situation I had, and some info about what others are majoring in, and why? What happened was; I entered college as a Bio major, did that for about 1.5 years, switched to Econ while still finishing pre-med reqs ( thought it would make me stand out ) but I recently realized that I would hit my unit cap, not be able to apply to med school on time, and not give my science classes the focus they deserve while majoring in Econ. Because of this, I happily switched back to Bio (as science is my love!) So I was wondering, am I going to be looked over immediately because I'm just a straight up Bio major, or would it really not make much difference ( I know it doesn't matter what you major in, but I mean a difference in the sense that I would stand out if I majored in Econ). Also, what is everyone else majoring in, and why? Once again I apologize if this is a duplicate, I really did look around.

 

[DropkickMurphy]

I would suggest a second major in English or journalism so you can learn to properly form a readable paragraph......

 

[JaggerPlate]

Ouch ... I didn't realize we were being so formal. Thanks for answering my question though, it's appreciated. I will try to be more proper in future posts.

 

[cmr]

I dont think your major matters a lot. Its all about having a solid background in life sciences. I was a math major in college and one of the med schools placed me on a waitlist because they were concerned about the fact that I didn't have a lot of life science classes. I was very surprised that they said this but I can see why it is important. Having a solid background helps a great deal in medicine. Anyhow, make sure you take all the bio classes you can. It the best preparation you can get for medical school.

 

[twolfbear]

Okay this one may get locked in a second because there is probably something about it somewhere, but I searched all over and checked faq and couldn't find it. My question is regarding a situation I had, and some info about what others are majoring in, and why? What happened was; I entered college as a Bio major, did that for about 1.5 years, switched to Econ while still finishing pre-med reqs ( thought it would make me stand out ) but I recently realized that I would hit my unit cap, not be able to apply to med school on time, and not give my science classes the focus they deserve while majoring in Econ. Because of this, I happily switched back to Bio (as science is my love!) So I was wondering, am I going to be looked over immediately because I'm just a straight up Bio major, or would it really not make much difference ( I know it doesn't matter what you major in, but I mean a difference in the sense that I would stand out if I majored in Econ). Also, what is everyone else majoring in, and why? Once again I apologize if this is a duplicate, I really did look around.

Having a degree outside of science may be beneficial, however a sciene major will still get you in with no doubt. However you are not the traditional biology major. What schools look for is that you have knowledge in areas outside of science. Since you attempted economics it might be beneficial to you. Your interviewers may ask you why you switched, but that could be a time for you to turn it into a positive. Biology is what you love...you tried other things...but seriously biology is what you love. My $.02.

 

[JaggerPlate]

Having a degree outside of science may be beneficial, however a sciene major will still get you in with no doubt. However you are not the traditional biology major. What schools look for is that you have knowledge in areas outside of science. Since you attempted economics it might be beneficial to you. Your interviewers may ask you why you switched, but that could be a time for you to turn it into a positive. Biology is what you love...you tried other things...but seriously biology is what you love. My $.02.

Very good point ... thank you for your imput. I will definitely mention it on my application!!

 

[Oculus Sinistra]

Okay this one may get locked in a second because there is probably something about it somewhere, but I searched all over and checked faq and couldn't find it. My question is regarding a situation I had, and some info about what others are majoring in, and why? What happened was; I entered college as a Bio major, did that for about 1.5 years, switched to Econ while still finishing pre-med reqs ( thought it would make me stand out ) but I recently realized that I would hit my unit cap, not be able to apply to med school on time, and not give my science classes the focus they deserve while majoring in Econ. Because of this, I happily switched back to Bio (as science is my love!) So I was wondering, am I going to be looked over immediately because I'm just a straight up Bio major, or would it really not make much difference ( I know it doesn't matter what you major in, but I mean a difference in the sense that I would stand out if I majored in Econ). Also, what is everyone else majoring in, and why? Once again I apologize if this is a duplicate, I really did look around.

If I'm understanding you correctly, you want to know whether being a Biology major will hurt you or make no impact.

From what we hear, majors don't really matter. Doing you science pre-reqs matters and a background in Bio may make the transition to an intensive, all-science graduate program a little more comfortable.

That being said, I have heard of interviewers being more skeptical of business types (majored in Economics, got an MBA, etc). So you probably made your life a little easier by switching out of Econ into Bio.

 

[Bacchus]

I was talking to a medical student that was a Latin-American Studies major. She enjoyed it, did her pre-reqs, and is at a top 10 allopathic institution. That being said, as its been said ad nauseum, do what you want to do. Get the pre-reqs done, maybe take a few more science classes to show you have the aptitude but don't declare a major just to get into medical school. If you do that you will be miserable and might not make it. Good luck!

 

[twolfbear]

To be honest I was an art major. I used to love art, but now dislike it. If I could do it again I would choose biology. What matters most is that you get in, not how you get in.

 

[JaggerPlate]

If I'm understanding you correctly, you want to know whether being a Biology major will hurt you or make no impact.

From what we hear, majors don't really matter. Doing you science pre-reqs matters and a background in Bio may make the transition to an intensive, all-science graduate program a little more comfortable.

That being said, I have heard of interviewers being more skeptical of business types (majored in Economics, got an MBA, etc). So you probably made your life a little easier by switching out of Econ into Bio.

Kinda ... What I was saying is that I wanted to do my pre-reqs, but major in something non-science because it makes you stand out as an applicant and show that you are capable of other things (rounded canidate etc). My question was; is just being a straight up bio major (which I'm doing) going to make me kinda fall into the back ground, and not stand out as much as doing pre-reqs + another major? It kinda doesn't matter now though because I'm doing bio no matter what.

 

[bigdog8829]

i don't think it matters quite as much as you make it seem. it would help you, sure. most def. not affect you negatively.
i would assume tho that with so many econ classes over a year or two you should at least have a minor in it? that will help you stand-out somewhat, at least in your interviews.
don't worry about it. plus, whats done is done. why are you worrying about what major you were thats not going to change. focus on the app now.

 

[rmsgolfer]

I had the same question a while back. Im a Health Fitness major but was a bio my freshman year. I hated the profs and the classes and wanted more anatomy/physiology/human kinematics. Major in something you enjoy otherwise undergrad sucks.