Medical Laboratory Science Major/Business minor?

[Myles80]

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I have a question that'd I'd really appreciate anyone answering or giving their input. I'm applying for college and would like to major in MLS for pre med. I would; however like to minor in finance or business management. (My school has a pretty decent business school). Is this a good idea? I have no idea how difficult the course work will be and I want to keep a good GPA. Thanks for any answers/input

 

[Coltuna]

At my school, MLS classes are offered on this day, at this time, in this building, during this semester; no questions asked. Because of this, it was difficult to fit in the medical school prereqs not required for the major. Unless you can fit in all your med school prereqs into your freshman and sophomore year, I would advise against going the MLS route. With that being said, I do value the experience I gained during the required clinical training my senior year. You're almost guaranteed 1-2 gap years with this major though.

 

[Myles80]

W

At my school, MLS classes are offered on this day, at this time, in this building, during this semester; no questions asked. Because of this, it was difficult to fit in the medical school prereqs not required for the major. Unless you can fit in all your med school prereqs into your freshman and sophomore year, I would advise against going the MLS route. With that being said, I do value the experience I gained during the required clinical training my senior year. You're almost guaranteed 1-2 gap years with this major though.

why am I guaranteed a gap year?

 

[gyngyn]

Your proposed major looks like a vocational one, not a broad liberal arts degree.
Medicals schools do not generally give a hoot about your major. The only exceptions are vocational majors, where I have seen evaluators view their rigor askance.

 

[Akewataru]

I'm probably biased, however I think doing a MLS program is a great idea. Med school prereqs are required for the major (except Physics and Calculus). Plus you take several upper level Biology classes. I believe Saint Louis University (SLU) has a MLS program that can be tailored to fit the needs of a pre-professional student. You can use this for your program and follow it accordingly. See below:

http://www.slu.edu/doisy/degrees/program-pdfs/mls-curriculum-pre-med10.29.15.pdf

You'll potentially have a well paying (40-50k+) and mobile job (you can find a MLS job ANYWHERE) upon or before graduation so long as you pass your ASCP exam within a year. This is something most pre-meds cannot boast with their degree in Biology, Chemistry or the like. I highly doubt any medical school will look down on a MLS program as long as you do well. They'll be more impressed that you can hold down a high responsibility job (you could kill a patient if you are not careful) and can potentially take care of yourself. The one down side is lab work isn't clinical experience since you don't interact with patients so there's that. However, you could potentially do phlebotomy work on the side and get certified in that too as you are trained to do it to get patient contact experience.


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[Petrichor1]

For sake of neutrality, the ratio of applicant to matriculated seems to be the same across most fields with the exception of humanities for I don't know why legitimately. I guess this just shows that admissions doesn't care what u major in, just do well in the prereqs and mcat.

 

[DrCaffeinated]

All my MLT classes are counted as allied health on my application (microbiology, clinical chemistry, hematology, ect...) not that that's a bad thing, I think it's a great major, but you might need to take med school prereqs in addition to your degree requirements, just like a nursing major might.

 

[Akewataru]

Be careful on this. While the MLS at SLU uses the same courses as a Biology major would, at many schools less rigorous courses not acceptable for a bio major (and therefore medical school) are used for nursing and other allied health fields. Most adcoms/schools will likely lean to /assume that an MLS will have this level of course work. You will have to be proactive in your application. Ironically specialized health science majors have the worst rate of acceptance to medical school at about 30%. In 2015 it was 494 matriculated of 1596 applying

https://www.aamc.org/download/321496/data/factstablea17.pdf

When I made this recommendation, I was making it under the premise OP was going to a traditional four-year and beyond university as they could minor in Business. Most MLS programs (especially the 3+1 or 4+1 programs) at universities are Biology degrees and take the same classes and then some. Don't adcoms go through your transcripts line by line?

I prefaced my suggestion with my bias. I believe most Bachelor degrees at universities are WORTHLESS. They don't require an internship, which leave you better prepared and connected for the job market. I mean this is why one goes to college, right? To increase your employability? If you don't further your education where does it leave you? Likely unemployed or underemployed for your level of education.


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[Pholaffle]

At my school the MLS program does have some basic sciences that are more abridged or fundamental than what is typical for premeds to take (i.e. Organic chem, biochem) although I was able to supplement with the premed oriented courses for these in order to fulfill med. school requirements. I did have to take physics on my own time though because that is not required for the program. Ultimately I have to take two gap years because I didn't want to risk studying for the MCAT with all the other courses and extracurriculars I had going on in college but thankfully my degree landed me a fulltime job with great pay/benefits that will make the application process much more financeable as well as saving for living expenses during school. I have no regrets going into the MLS program and it also brought me closer to researchers in various fields of molecular biology and parasitology where I've been able to conduct research in my spare time.
It would be good to compare what courses are required for the major with which courses are recommended by the prehealth offices to see if you would need to substitute more rigorous courses over the easier MLS requirements.

 

[kawi609]

I will put some info out there to help with I attend UTMB in their undergrad doing MLS I have taken all my pre-med prereqs but physics as part of my degree plan. I have had nothing but a awesome time with it especially the clinical side of it plus I have had the chance to receive amazing letting for professors that also teach the med students. I was kinda iffy on the major at first but after really going through the past 3 1/2 years of it I would say it is more enjoyable and the admissions also told me most school don't frown upon it one bit the past few years at least 10 or so MLS have matriculated from the program I hope this helps some.

 

[c12H22O11]

The way it works in the school that I am looking at, it has you take basically the entire pre-med sequences asides from Biochemistry ( although the MLS curriculum makes you take Clinical Biochemistry, but I know for sure it will not satisfy the requirement for medical school), and Physics. I could easily take those on top of everything else. I figured it was a good job that involves a bit of microbiology work which I enjoy and it provides very reputable jobs after graduation. In my area, there isn't much to do with a plain Biology or Chemistry degree. You would need a masters to be able to open some doors. I think you're doing well. Focus on grades, pre-reqs, become well-rounded and you will be fine!

 

[kawi609]

plus after you graduate you will be able to land a really good job that will also help with lab time ect..

 

[c12H22O11]

^^ that too. and also, it will be the closest degree that fits almost all pre-med classes that actually gives opportunity for significant work in case you need to take a gap year or two, as I may be.

 

[Coltuna]

W

why am I guaranteed a gap year?

It can be difficult to find time for some medical school prerequisites as you have no choice when to take the classes for MLS. At least this is how it was at my university. It's considered a cohort major and all classes in a certain sequence and only offered at one time and day during a specific semester.