Major questions about majors!

[Radon XP]

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I'm going to be applying to colleges this fall and I am thinking about my major. I am pretty much certain that I want to major in a science, but I am not sure as to which route to choose:

On the first hand, I am most interested in Physics & Astronomy and would like to major in physics/astrophysics/astronomy while, of course, doing the prerequisite courses. I would enjoy physics very much, but the problem is this: I heard physics is a very difficult major and I do not want to take it if it means getting a low GPA.

Rather, I could major in something such as biology which is more rote memorization, and I feel like I could do much better. However, I would not be as interested, and biology majors are a dime a dozen for medical school admissions. I do have a much better biology and chemistry background than physics, though (IB Biology + IB Chemistry, taking both at the Higher Level). I do not have much of a background in physics, although I may take an introductory physics course at a community college so that I am not overwhelmed during college.

I am going to be taking Calc I next year so I will have been exposed to Calc before college.

So the dilemma is: physics major, which is more interesting but riskier, or bio major, which is less interesting but I could probably get a higher gpa.

 

[indya]

So where has your interest in physics come from if not from taking classes?

I'm not saying this is you, but a lot of my classmates who dont know anything about the study of physics have seen Through the Wormhole with Morgan Freeman or something about blackholes on the Science channel so they think that they want to study physics in college.
However, from what I have heard, it isn't so glamorous. I'd much rather just stick to the Science channel than:

 

[Iapyx]

Honestly there is no rush, you have time to decide. That being said, while physics/astrophysics is one of the most interesting fields in existence, probably more so than biology/chem, it is also one of the most difficult. If you have not taken any calc/physics, I would steer you away from this major. You always have to keep the end goal in mind(med school), and you might even find that you come to enjoy bio/chem. I am not trying to disuade you from your likes. However, I have many friends who are more intelligent than I am who have significantly lower GPAs due to going the physics/astrophysics route. Despite their equal/superior intelligence they could never get into medical school due to 3.0ish GPA. Maybe consider a minor if you find you can handle it. Just food for thought...

 

[FuturepharmD343]

Do physics so if medical school doesn't work out, you have a physics degree to fall back on. The average physicist makes around $80,000.

You already said you don't like bio as much as physics. You are lucky you enjoyed the work in physics. I hated it, there goes my childhood dream of becoming an astrophysicist.

 

[Radon XP]

Indya,

I have self-studied physics and I love mathematics. Admittedly, I also love those science channel documentaries but I am not a complete laymen 🙂
I just don't have a super strong background.

But, don't you take intro classes anyway?

 

[deleted357625]

Physics is different for everyone, if you like it, major in it..

Also, every class is not so difficult if you really pay attention and take notes, that is all you have to do. Just major in what interests you.

 

[51stCenturyFox]

I'd like to repeat the question: How do you know you're interested in physics? Especially since your background seems mostly biological.

I hope I don't sound too imprudent. Because I love physics in the sense that I would happily listen to Neil Tyson talk all day about the atoms in our body originating from the crucibles of high mass stars... but I don't want to spend the rest of my life pushing equations and pondering theoretical universes.

How "hard" a Major is really depends on your interest and aptitude for the subject. Right now, I'm finishing up an Honours in Biochemistry with a Minor in Mathematics; the latter I once considered majoring in. I think it's important to ask yourself a few questions. How much do you really know what "studying physics" involves? How often have you applied integral calculus to practice problems on electromagnetism?

Best of luck! 🙂

 

[indya]

But, don't you take intro classes anyway?

That's the point. Just take some intro classes in subjects which you enjoy for you first year, and whichever you end up liking most and think you can do best in should be your major. However, in this case, if you haven't any idea what studying physics in a real class is like, I wouldn't just go out and take calculus-based general physics for engineering and physics majors because you think it might be interesting. See if you can maybe sit in on a class this summer without taking it for a grade or anything. If you think you can handle the material, sign up for your physics major classes when university starts, but if not, no harm done, just take the minimum of algebra based general physics like most other premeds.

 

[schrizto]

Do physics so if medical school doesn't work out, you have a physics degree to fall back on. The average physicist makes around $80,000.

You already said you don't like bio as much as physics. You are lucky you enjoyed the work in physics. I hated it, there goes my childhood dream of becoming an astrophysicist.

That 80k figure should be for physics PhDs.

OP, what about a chemistry major?

 

[Lil Mick]

Don't go by introductory courses. Especially for physics and mathematics, upper division courses are vastly different from introductory courses. I hated my introductory courses and have loved advanced material (more proof-based and theoretical). Chemistry involved a lot of exacting lab work, so I would suggest making sure that you enjoy your lab work in the introductory chemistry courses before deciding to major in it. Physics, mathematics, and chemistry are especially useful majors if you don't end up going to medical school. Many high schools and community colleges in the States are in need of physics and chemistry teachers, and some will waive the teaching degree requirement for a someone with a bachelor's or master's in the subject.