major for MD/PHD

[somuchwater]

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Hi,
I apologize if this has been mentioned previously but I could not find much on it. I am currently a biology major but thinking about doing something else b/c I feel like I'll never have a chance to study anything else after undergrad. I am interested in PhD programs in BME, biochem, medicinal chem, or neuro.

As for a major, I was just looking at a wildlife conservation + animal science double major. I have also thought about film. Most of the MD/PhD programs' admission pages do not specify a concentration and only note that an accredited bachelor's degree is required. However, after looking at some of the graduate degree programs in the fields I am interested in for those same schools (so just the PhD, not the MD/PhD website), they mention that a degree in the biological or physical sciences is required.

I have finished my pre med requirements, have a few bio upper levels. I also have 4+ years of biomedical research, which I plan to continue regardless of what I major in. Do you think it would still be laughable if I do push forward w/ a BS in animal sciences (Does that even count as a biological science?) and/or wildlife conservation and apply to BME programs (most of which only require me to take math up to diffy eq and maybe thermo?) If so, I guess I could just pick one of the two animal related degrees and swap the 2nd for a BS in bio.

Look forward to your opinions.

 

[Member011]

Hi,
I apologize if this has been mentioned previously but I could not find much on it. I am currently a biology major but thinking about doing something else b/c I feel like I'll never have a chance to study anything else after undergrad. I am interested in PhD programs in BME, biochem, medicinal chem, or neuro.

As for a major, I was just looking at a wildlife conservation + animal science double major. I have also thought about film. Most of the MD/PhD programs' admission pages do not specify a concentration and only note that an accredited bachelor's degree is required. However, after looking at some of the graduate degree programs in the fields I am interested in for those same schools (so just the PhD, not the MD/PhD website), they mention that a degree in the biological or physical sciences is required.

I have finished my pre med requirements, have a few bio upper levels. I also have 4+ years of biomedical research, which I plan to continue regardless of what I major in. Do you think it would still be laughable if I do push forward w/ a BS in animal sciences (Does that even count as a biological science?) and/or wildlife conservation and apply to BME programs (most of which only require me to take math up to diffy eq and maybe thermo?) If so, I guess I could just pick one of the two animal related degrees and swap the 2nd for a BS in bio.

Look forward to your opinions.

Could you keep the bio major and do a minor in something else? Your major shouldn't stop you from taking electives in other fields.

 

[gbwillner]

Short answer: no one cares what your major is.

 

[mTORC]

Hi,
I apologize if this has been mentioned previously but I could not find much on it. I am currently a biology major but thinking about doing something else b/c I feel like I'll never have a chance to study anything else after undergrad. I am interested in PhD programs in BME, biochem, medicinal chem, or neuro.

As for a major, I was just looking at a wildlife conservation + animal science double major. I have also thought about film. Most of the MD/PhD programs' admission pages do not specify a concentration and only note that an accredited bachelor's degree is required. However, after looking at some of the graduate degree programs in the fields I am interested in for those same schools (so just the PhD, not the MD/PhD website), they mention that a degree in the biological or physical sciences is required.

I have finished my pre med requirements, have a few bio upper levels. I also have 4+ years of biomedical research, which I plan to continue regardless of what I major in. Do you think it would still be laughable if I do push forward w/ a BS in animal sciences (Does that even count as a biological science?) and/or wildlife conservation and apply to BME programs (most of which only require me to take math up to diffy eq and maybe thermo?) If so, I guess I could just pick one of the two animal related degrees and swap the 2nd for a BS in bio.

Look forward to your opinions.

If you're going to apply md/phd, my
recommendation is to major in science (physics, bio, biochem, chem, engineering, etc.)

 

[lazygun247]

The reason schools may require biological or physical science degrees for MD/PhD programs is because that will be your focus during your PhD years and after graduation. Think about it, what is the point of MD/PhD degree? It is to be a physician scientist which centers on translational research of human medicine.

If you decide to do a major in like english, that is only a reflection your motives of joining MD/PhD.

Schools may not state they require this degree, but if it reflects poorly on you and your motives for applying for MD/PhD, they will likely toss out your application.

 

[somuchwater]

I think that's my concern. I just don't want to do biology. I'd rather do computer science or bme but it's too late to start either.

 

[gbwillner]

Unless things have changed dramatically in the last decade it doesn't matter at all what your degree is in. I can't even remember anyone ever asking me what my major was (pretty much since the day I graduated from college). I know several music majors who were successful MSTPs at top programs.

There are lots of things to worry about in admissions, but I don't really think this is one of them.