Non-Biology route?

[MeowMeowCAT]

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I often read and hear that most of the people going for Medical School or even Pharmacy just major in Biology and or focus on their pre-med prerequisites. Is there any "leg up" if you are majoring in something a bit outside the usual? In my case Biochemistry?

Just wondering since I know of a couple of people planning to go to Pharmacy and they get to take a slightly easier route in terms of some of the classes, like they don't require as much Calculus-based stuff, etc.

Or does it not really matter in the end?

 

[nisarg2010]

I often read and hear that most of the people going for Medical School or even Pharmacy just major in Biology and or focus on their pre-med prerequisites. Is there any "leg up" if you are majoring in something a bit outside the usual? In my case Biochemistry?

Just wondering since I know of a couple of people planning to go to Pharmacy and they get to take a slightly easier route in terms of some of the classes, like they don't require as much Calculus-based stuff, etc.

Or does it not really matter in the end?

It dosent matter. Biochemistry is basicly the same as any other science major (bio, chem, phy, etc...) except a different name. Major in what interests you. for example, I am majoring in Environmental Engineering.

 

[IDreamtIChased]

I often read and hear that most of the people going for Medical School or even Pharmacy just major in Biology and or focus on their pre-med prerequisites. Is there any "leg up" if you are majoring in something a bit outside the usual? In my case Biochemistry?

Just wondering since I know of a couple of people planning to go to Pharmacy and they get to take a slightly easier route in terms of some of the classes, like they don't require as much Calculus-based stuff, etc.

Or does it not really matter in the end?

IMO, Biochemistry has an advantage over other majors like Bio, Chem, Phys.

 

[apumic]

I often read and hear that most of the people going for Medical School or even Pharmacy just major in Biology and or focus on their pre-med prerequisites. Is there any "leg up" if you are majoring in something a bit outside the usual? In my case Biochemistry?

Just wondering since I know of a couple of people planning to go to Pharmacy and they get to take a slightly easier route in terms of some of the classes, like they don't require as much Calculus-based stuff, etc.

Or does it not really matter in the end?

You've just contradicted yourself. Do some research first.

Now, if you'd said something actually interesting and truly uncommon (e.g., music majors that apply to med school), you might get a bit of a boost but for biochem...nope. It merely doesn't get the stigma attached to it that Bio majors do (i.e., you don't get penalized).

 

[rafflecopter]

To be honest, medical school is going to teach you all the science you need. I'm a film major, and I've had a number of interviewers tell me so far they believe my experiences of working in the film industry will give me a huge leg up in terms of social situations once I'm a doctor, and I think they're right. Pick a major that you enjoy, not one you think will help you later, because it really wont make much of a difference. Some of the most successful people I know who were accepted to medical school had "unusual" majors like psychology, computer science, or art. Some schools think these make you a more interesting applicant. I wouldn't say that biochem is far enough out of the norm for them to consider it a weird major.

To apumic, what "stigma" do bio majors have? Since a majority of medical school applicants (and therefore accepted applicants) have a bio degree, my guess is there really isn't one.

 

[phltz]

No. What will give you a leg up is being the kind of person who pursues your own interests for their own merit, instead of mechanically going through the motions of doing what you think will give you a leg up in your med school application.

Also, biochemistry and biology are essentially the same major.

 

[Geekchick921]

No. What will give you a leg up is being the kind of person who pursues your own interests for their own merit, instead of mechanically going through the motions of doing what you think will give you a leg up in your med school application.

Also, biochemistry and biology are essentially the same major.

To answer raffle's question, and be lazy by just quoting someone else, I believe this is the stigma that biology majors face. Schools believe they are just going through the motions and have no other interests or talents. Kinda like the one-track mind student here.

 

[BiopsychStudent]

I think you'd be miserable if you chose your major just to stand out on medical school applications, and it will be really hard to "fake" a passion in the field for this purpose. From what I gather a biology major with years of research experience who can honestly convey that they love the science and are really determined to see it applied in medicine is going to come off better than a music major who does what it takes to graduate with a high GPA and med school prereqs.

 

[Geekchick921]

I think you'd be miserable if you chose your major just to stand out on medical school applications, and it will be really hard to "fake" a passion in the field for this purpose. From what I gather a biology major with years of research experience who can honestly convey that they love the science and are really determined to see it applied in medicine is going to come off better than a music major who does what it takes to graduate with a high GPA and med school prereqs.

LOL, are you suggesting a major in music or any other art is easy to get a high GPA in? Please.

Also, you could be just as miserable just choosing a major to make fitting in the pre-reqs "easy" because they fit into your major requirements anyway. What you "gather" contradicts stats I've seen posted on SDN quite a few times. Science majors seem to have either no advantage or a slight disadvantage in regards to acceptances over nonscience majors.

 

[MCAT guy]

I think you'd be miserable if you chose your major just to stand out on medical school applications, and it will be really hard to "fake" a passion in the field for this purpose. From what I gather a biology major with years of research experience who can honestly convey that they love the science and are really determined to see it applied in medicine is going to come off better than a music major who does what it takes to graduate with a high GPA and med school prereqs.

I have no idea about the GPA, but it certainly depends on the school for what they will like.

A few schools I've interviewed at certainly love the oddball major, unique applicant. IMO most schools enjoy the rounded applicant (I.e. not cookie cutter Bio major/researcher).

 

[WorldChanger36]

No advantage or disadvantage, although something like dance or Engineering with a 4.0 would turn a few heads. Takes talent to do that and do well in the pre-recs. If I had to do it all again I would major in Humanities and ace the crap out of my pre recs. Do what you think you would enjoy most not what you think will impress the med schools. Believe me they are not impressed by any undergrad major but hard work, deacation, alturism, clinical and research experence and people with amazing hearts that want to help people make the best choices for their healthcare and want to heal those in need.

 

[MeowMeowCAT]

Edit: I don't know what I am talking about.

 

[XORD]

hello, my college doesnt offer premed programe.so i have to take physician assistant programe..my actual aim is to apply for medical school.and score good on mcat.,and also im taking all the courses required for mcat and medical programe. but not taking any majors in particular, since my college dont offer them..so can anyone please tell me, should i take transfer to other college which offers me pre med programe. or stay in same college, and go for PA. which one will be better for scoring good on MCAT, and having a good acceptance, in medical schools. and if i go for Physician assistant i can shadow doctors as a part of my job, but will i lack skill and knowledge , that premed will have? im really confused?

 

[apumic]

hello, my college doesnt offer premed programe.so i have to take physician assistant programe..my actual aim is to apply for medical school.and score good on mcat.,and also im taking all the courses required for mcat and medical programe. but not taking any majors in particular, since my college dont offer them..so can anyone please tell me, should i take transfer to other college which offers me pre med programe. or stay in same college, and go for PA. which one will be better for scoring good on MCAT, and having a good acceptance, in medical schools. and if i go for Physician assistant i can shadow doctors as a part of my job, but will i lack skill and knowledge , that premed will have? im really confused?

You don't need a "premed program." Take the prereqs and apply. Use SDN if your school lacks a good advisor.

To apumic, what "stigma" do bio majors have? Since a majority of medical school applicants (and therefore accepted applicants) have a bio degree, my guess is there really isn't one.

Bio majors get in w/ a 40% acceptance rate vs. most other majors at about a 45-55% rate. Bio majors' acceptance rate is only beaten for lowest by vocational majors at <30%. There is clearly a preference for students who do well in other majors AND succeed at the prereqs. It's a self-selected sample of those majors and so tends to be the cream of the crop; however, their GPAs (i.e., accepted non-science majors') are comparable to that of science majors (who are accepted); likewise, MCAT scores are comparable. There is clearly a slight stigma because bio majors are sort of "all the same." You are seen as a plain applicant, nothing academically special. Of course, you can shine in other ways, but realize that a 3.6+ in bio, while somewhat of an accomplishment, isn't exactly going to set you apart.

 

[MCAT guy]

No advantage or disadvantage, although something like dance or Engineering with a 4.0 would turn a few heads. Takes talent to do that and do well in the pre-recs. If I had to do it all again I would major in Humanities and ace the crap out of my pre recs. Do what you think you would enjoy most not what you think will impress the med schools. Believe me they are not impressed by any undergrad major but hard work, deacation, alturism, clinical and research experence and people with amazing hearts that want to help people make the best choices for their healthcare and want to heal those in need.

Yeah, definitely do what you find interesting and if it happens to be unique, all the easier to market yourself to schools. If not, then your EC and community service can be unique.

Unique is the key factor as you will find this process is super competitive when it comes time to apply. Differentiate.

 

[phltz]

hello, my college doesnt offer premed programe.so i have to take physician assistant programe..my actual aim is to apply for medical school.and score good on mcat.,and also im taking all the courses required for mcat and medical programe. but not taking any majors in particular, since my college dont offer them..so can anyone please tell me, should i take transfer to other college which offers me pre med programe. or stay in same college, and go for PA. which one will be better for scoring good on MCAT, and having a good acceptance, in medical schools. and if i go for Physician assistant i can shadow doctors as a part of my job, but will i lack skill and knowledge , that premed will have? im really confused?

Med schools usually look down on "vocational" degrees. Justified or not, they probably won't like you doing the physician's assistant thing. Is your school an accredited four year institution? It doesn't sound like it. You definitely need to be at one of those, and it really should have science departments that you could major in (although you don't have to, if the school doesn't even offer a biology degree, it's probably a huge red flag).

You also really need to work on your communications skills. If English isn't your first language you'll have a little more leeway, but this post is a train wreck.

 

[Geekchick921]

Wait, so you don't have to major in science, to go into medicine which is largely based on science? Is this how you have these doctors getting through with strong religious beliefs that disvalue a lot of scientific inovations and beliefs. I mean, the whole refusing to sell Plant B medication, performing abortions, etc. I guess it makes sense if essentially "anyone" can get into medical school.

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[MeowMeowCAT]

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[orthomyxo]

wait, so you don't have to major in science, to go into medicine which is largely based on science? Is this how you have these doctors getting through with strong religious beliefs that disvalue a lot of scientific inovations and beliefs. I mean, the whole refusing to sell plant b medication, performing abortions, etc. I guess it makes sense if essentially "anyone" can get into medical school.

But whatever i guess, i am a few years into biochemistry now, so i am beyond the "pick your major" stage. So at this point would doing a minor or two fill this "too much science" trend? I can probably complete the requirements for a psychology minor since i already took two classes for it, it filled some elective requirements earlier on.

3/10

 

[MCAT guy]

...

Also not sure.

 

[XORD]

What people mean by voluntering at hospitals..does any kind of job in hospital, helps in increasing the chances for admission

 

[XORD]

Med schools usually look down on "vocational" degrees. Justified or not, they probably won't like you doing the physician's assistant thing. Is your school an accredited four year institution? It doesn't sound like it. You definitely need to be at one of those, and it really should have science departments that you could major in (although you don't have to, if the school doesn't even offer a biology degree, it's probably a huge red flag).

You also really need to work on your communications skills. If English isn't your first language you'll have a little more leeway, but this post is a train wreck.

OK but they say,the courses they are going to offer me covers the requirement for mcat.like bio 1 and 2with lab,physics, phsycology.and chemistry.and rest courses required by medical school to accept.....,but they dont give any science major in particular, and what do you mean by BIOLOGY Degree.ANd yes my school is 4 yrs accredited institution..so is it betteri stay in and complete the course,or take a transfer ,which one will give me an advantage

 

[gravitywave]

one would think that the volume of bandwidth spilled over this topic would help people, but alas, no.

there is no "stigma" against bio majors, or science majors, or any majors. the stigma is against applicants who have a poor sense of why they are pursuing medicine. this type of applicant is over represented among science majors, esp. Bio, because these are exactly the type of majors that the clueless tend to opt for. Adcoms can (for the most part) discern the difference, and thus the acceptance rate for science majors is lower.

there is no "edge" for Biochem, either - there is no "edge" to any major. it really is about the individual applicant and the story they tell.