Major help!

[jasmeets93]

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I am applying to most of the UC's. And want to go into medicine. So, I want to select biology or bio chem or physiology or something as a major. But I know that it is impacted. So, it will be harder to get into.
So, my friend suggested that I apply as undeclared and then switch into bio. Is this a bad idea? Will I easily be able to switch into bio, or physiology or is it hard?

If not undeclared, then whats a better option? Like bio, or physiology, or kinesiology. or what? Some colleges dont have kinesiology, so what else should I do. And I know that I choose an intended and an alt. major. Should I then select bio as int. major and some easy major, like i dont know, east asian studies or something as alt major?

Need some help!
thanks in advance

 

[TheTruckGuy]

I'd recommend doing something you truly find interesting and not something you think will help you with med school. Biology and biochem are often chosen because people think that med schools look for that, when I really don't think they do. I've seen business, nutrition, kinesiology, psychology, and engineering majors all get in. In fact one of the highest percentage of acceptances go to psychology majors. Doing something else may even make you look more unique compared to 75% of people applying that are bio majors. If you like bio, then go for it.

If you keep your grades up, switching into bio shouldn't be a problem. But I think it would be better to declare something going in.

 

[Richardh]

major in biology 👍 if you major as undeclared, the downside is that even though you do get into a UC, you will be asked to sign-up for classes (related to bio) after all the bio majors have done so (and most of the time you won't get into those classes. you might be waitlisted and have to take the classes over the summer if you wish to switch/declare as a bio major later on). so to save time and money, major as a bio. but as the previous post mentioned, major in something that you enjoy and want to learn 🙂

[while I agree with the previous post, majoring in bio (or a related major) does help a student do well on the mcat (at least for the biological science section and physical science section). in addition when you start medical school, you would have already gotten down some of the basics in bio (like anatomy, physiology, etc.) by majoring in bio.]

 

[TheTruckGuy]

[while I agree with the previous post, majoring in bio (or a related major) does help a student do well on the mcat (at least for the biological science section and physical science section). in addition when you start medical school, you would have already gotten down some of the basics in bio (like anatomy, physiology, etc.) by majoring in bio.]

It doesn't necessarily help with the MCAT. I'm an engineer and got a 36R MCAT. If I was a bio major, woulda probably gotten better than 11 on the bio section, but I think my 13 on physical was due to being an engineer.

 

[deleted357625]

I am applying to most of the UC's. And want to go into medicine. So, I want to select biology or bio chem or physiology or something as a major. But I know that it is impacted. So, it will be harder to get into.
So, my friend suggested that I apply as undeclared and then switch into bio. Is this a bad idea? Will I easily be able to switch into bio, or physiology or is it hard?

If not undeclared, then whats a better option? Like bio, or physiology, or kinesiology. or what? Some colleges dont have kinesiology, so what else should I do. And I know that I choose an intended and an alt. major. Should I then select bio as int. major and some easy major, like i dont know, east asian studies or something as alt major?

Need some help!
thanks in advance

Major in what interests you, don;t major in science just because you want to get into medicine. Also, don't pick a major that you have doubts you will do well in it. Always be cautious and don't jeopardize anything and don't take a class you feel you might fail.

Major does not matter, it matters how well you do.

Example: music majors have a 66% acceptance rate to med school..

 

[Hyoon]

Major in what interests you, don;t major in science just because you want to get into medicine. Also, don't pick a major that you have doubts you will do well in it. Always be cautious and don't jeopardize anything and don't take a class you feel you might fail.

Major does not matter, it matters how well you do.

Example: music majors have a 66% acceptance rate to med school..

This might be stupid question but when you say "it matters how well you do" you are talking about in the pre-med reqs right? Do the medical schools look at your grades in other classes outside of the reqs? Like it wouldn't matter too much if I didn't do so swell in American History as opposed to some science class....right?

 

[littleclb]

This might be stupid question but when you say "it matters how well you do" you are talking about in the pre-med reqs right? Do the medical schools look at your grades in other classes outside of the reqs? Like it wouldn't matter too much if I didn't do so swell in American History as opposed to some science class....right?

Schools will have the classes that they require as pre-reqs. They look at overall GPA, and science and math GPA. I'm not telling you to bomb your classes that aren't science or math, but if you're going to bomb one, do it in the American History or whatever it may be instead of Biology.

REMEMBER, GPA is important, but it isn't everything...

 

[TheTruckGuy]

This might be stupid question but when you say "it matters how well you do" you are talking about in the pre-med reqs right? Do the medical schools look at your grades in other classes outside of the reqs? Like it wouldn't matter too much if I didn't do so swell in American History as opposed to some science class....right?

Short answer: Everything matters.

They look at overall GPA and just science GPA (including math). Some even look at non-science GPA. You need to do at least good in everything, but it would be best if you did better in science. Some schools do look at individual semesters and will find weak points where you might have decided to focus more on science than other classes and will call you out on it in your interview. I know I've been asked about certain specific weak points in my academic records.

Also, a really high science GPA but low overall GPA might be indicative of someone who can't connect with patients and families on a social and empathetic level.

 

[Hyoon]

wow! Thank You for all the great insights. I think I will end up majoring in Biology like a lot of pre-med students, but I also heard the admissions committee wants you to have a minor at least, or a dual-major. Are there anything else I can minor in that will help me?

 

[jeremmed77]

Major in what interests you, don;t major in science just because you want to get into medicine. ..

This guy said it all. Major in what you truley want to. For instance, I am majoring in Psychology, which is considered a social science. If you have your eyes set on Chemistry, Biology, or Physiology, I would suggest you start your freshmen year taking some of these courses to see which one interests you the most. But do not underestimate your liberal education courses. Try taking courses that you will enjoy instead of "easy" ones. Who knows, you may want to change your major to whatever subject that class was in. Good luck!

 

[jeremmed77]

Are there anything else I can minor in that will help me?

There are a ton of different minors that can help you out, but again, it would be better to minor in something that you find interesting. If you can make yourself stand out while doing it, you could have an advantage. For example, I know of a pre-med student who is a chemistry major and has a minor in acting lol.

 

[SeekerofTruth]

Just major in what you want to learn about. Don't try to cheat your way into the school, or you'll end up screwing yourself because of the reasons above .