Non science majors

[UMpremed08]

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Hi everyone. I was wondering if anybody else is majoring in area's besides chem or bio. I'm majoring in psychology since it's something I enjoy and I think it will help have a better understanding of anybody I'll be working with as a doctor (patients/families/co-workers etc).

Also, how many extra science classes did you take beyond what most med schools require for amission? (2 Bio's, 2 Inorganic Chem's, 2 Organic Chem's and 2 Physics)? What science classes did you have under your belt before you conquered the MCAT? I'm trying to decide when to take it.

 

[MNIkid87]

Hola,

I am a psych major, too (and Biochem minor, woohoo).
I dont think that it will give me a better understanding of the people I work with, for me it is rather a fun course of study that is interesting and teaches me some stuff I always wanted to know more about (psychopathology, neuroscience).

 

[nlax30]

I was a psychology major as well and enjoyed it. I originally switched from Biology so I also got my Biology minor as it was only a few additional classes I was planning on taking anyway.

I'd say make sure and check with some of the schools that you'd like to apply to and see if they require or recommend any additional science courses like Biochem, Genetics, etc.... During my last year of undergrad, and then a year of post-bacc classes to help with my GPA I took some extra sciences such as Vert. Physiology, Genetics, Immunology, Virology, Molecular Biology, Biochem, etc...

I'd say if you have the time definitely take some of the sciences that some schools recommend, and then after that just take whatever interests you.

 

[EEL08]

My B.S. is in Counseling and Bible (double major). A while after graduating I took the pre-reqs, I am taking Genetics now and Biochem in the spring. I've also taken Microbiology, Anatomy, Physiology, and Zoology.

 

[spicedmanna]

I'd say if you have the time definitely take some of the sciences that some schools recommend, and then after that just take whatever interests you.

Agree. Major in whatever you want; it doesn't matter that much. Enjoy undergrad and the freedom that it presents. However, do take additional science classes, if time permits. It can only help. Seriously, I was a biology major and I took lots of science classes, but still feel overwhelmed by medical school right now. I wish I had taken stuff like histology, molecular genetics, microbiology, and immunology (I already took some cell biology, physiology, and biochemistry). Maybe I wouldn't be struggling so hard to learn the material right now had I had some familiarity with the stuff to begin with. I don't know. Maybe it wouldn't have helped that much, but it sure can't hurt as long as you do well in them. Obviously you can't take everything, so as nlax30 said, take classes recommended by medical schools, and then more, if time permits and it is interesting to you.

In terms of the MCAT, additional classes may or may not help you. The material required for the MCAT is pretty basic. Master the basics and learn how to apply them in unfamiliar situations. IMHO, the best way to prepare is to review everything (review; not learn, because by the time you are preparing to take the MCAT, you should have already learned the material) listed in the AAMC MCAT guidebook and take lots of practice tests. Learning how to take the test, and getting good at doing so, is about half the battle.

 

[Punchap]

I was a Public Health Studies major. That major encompassed the most interesting courses to me. I guess you could say I took the bare minimum science pre-reqs in college: 3 bio courses, general chem, organic, physics (all with labs).

I think it's a good idea to take additional science courses if possible. I wish I would have, it might have strengthened my application/gpa. On the other hand, I also knew I would receive adequate science instruction in med school, so I took the opportunity in undergrad to focus on other coursework that interested me -- when in medical school will you have the opportunity to take "Native American cultures," "medical anthropology," "anthropology of religion," etc.?

 

[UMpremed08]

I was a psychology major as well and enjoyed it. I originally switched from Biology so I also got my Biology minor as it was only a few additional classes I was planning on taking anyway.

I'd say make sure and check with some of the schools that you'd like to apply to and see if they require or recommend any additional science courses like Biochem, Genetics, etc.... During my last year of undergrad, and then a year of post-bacc classes to help with my GPA I took some extra sciences such as Vert. Physiology, Genetics, Immunology, Virology, Molecular Biology, Biochem, etc...

I'd say if you have the time definitely take some of the sciences that some schools recommend, and then after that just take whatever interests you.

Thanks 🙂 Yep, I know some schools have more science requirements beyong what I mentioned, I was just speaking in general.

 

[hb2998]

Try to think one step ahead of the "admissions committee and mcat" hurdle. Set your goals at success in medschool and the other two will work themselves out. I was a micro bio, immuno, molecular genetics major. I slept through the first two weeks of medschool... people who did psychology will be sleeping later when the behavioral science block rolls around. Take the classes that you like (please don't take art) .. and are relevant to medschool. Physiology would be a great class to take and it will help you on the mcat (impress admissions committee? --only if you do well).

 

[UMpremed08]

Agree. Major in whatever you want; it doesn't matter that much. Enjoy undergrad and the freedom that it presents. However, do take additional science classes, if time permits. It can only help. Seriously, I was a biology major and I took lots of science classes, but still feel overwhelmed by medical school right now. I wish I had taken stuff like histology, molecular genetics, microbiology, and immunology (I already took some cell biology, physiology, and biochemistry). Maybe I wouldn't be struggling so hard to learn the material right now had I had some familiarity with the stuff to begin with. I don't know. Maybe it wouldn't have helped that much, but it sure can't hurt as long as you do well in them. Obviously you can't take everything, so as nlax30 said, take classes recommended by medical schools, and then more, if time permits and it is interesting to you.

In terms of the MCAT, additional classes may or may not help you. The material required for the MCAT is pretty basic. Master the basics and learn how to apply them in unfamiliar situations. IMHO, the best way to prepare is to review everything (review; not learn, because by the time you are preparing to take the MCAT, you should have already learned the material) listed in the AAMC MCAT guidebook and take lots of practice tests. Learning how to take the test, and getting good at doing so, is about half the battle.

Thanks for the advice. I just began taking my pre-med classes this passed year. I don't know what to do about taking many extra science classes, as that area is not my strongest point and I don't want to drag down my GPA. I'll be done with my degree next Decemeber (2008) and will have just finished orgo 2. I'd have room for one extra bio before I graduate, maybe genetics? I don't know. What I do know is that I should be doing my chem homework. 🙂

 

[UMpremed08]

Try to think one step ahead of the "admissions committee and mcat" hurdle. Set your goals at success in medschool and the other two will work themselves out. I was a micro bio, immuno, molecular genetics major. I slept through the first two weeks of medschool... people who did psychology will be sleeping later when the behavioral science block rolls around. Take the classes that you like (please don't take art) .. and are relevant to medschool. Physiology would be a great class to take and it will help you on the mcat (impress admissions committee? --only if you do well).

You're right, I just want to be sure I'm prepared for the MCAT 🙂 Did you have both organic chem's completed before you took it? I've heard some people take it after finishing the first orgo.

 

[hb2998]

You're right, I just want to be sure I'm prepared for the MCAT 🙂 Did you have both organic chem's completed before you took it? I've heard some people take it after finishing the first orgo.

Organic is progressively becoming less and less of a factor on the mcat. I had taken all the required lower division o'chem courses (.. for chem majors) right before the MCAT (forgotten everything now 🙄 - although some concepts you just can't forget and it is helping me in medschool). A solid foundation in o'chem will really help you on the test. I didn't study for it or the bio section at all for it (I was doing 14+ on the practice questions.) My problem was the verbal! MCAT o'chem (the stuff they teach you in EK/Princeton) is horrible. It makes the MCAT very doable, but its not nearly detailed enough to breeze through it. O'chem questions on the mcat are so so basic that if you were given the problems during your midterm exams in your o'chem on that particular topic you would really laugh.

If you take the 2nd o'chem before the test, and do really well in it (ie. memorize!!) you will not even have to study for that portion of the test. Don't take the mcat prior to taking o'chem unless you're really confident you will get a really good score that you will happy with.(I've seen ppl with a 38 [😱😕] think about taking the test over again because they took it prematurely).

 

[TexasTriathlete]

Orgo II is the easiest class ever if you busted your ass in the first one. But orgo I is not memorization, like everyone seems to think. It is pure and simple understanding of concepts. In Orgo II, you just get more and more similar concepts.

However, most of the o-chem questions I've seen on the MCAT and on practice tests have been from orgo II.

But all this aside, why would you do something stupid like take the MCAT before you've had all the classes that are covered on it?

 

[hb2998]

However, most of the o-chem questions I've seen on the MCAT and on practice tests have been from orgo II.

👍 Definitely agree.

 

[UMpremed08]

Orgo II is the easiest class ever if you busted your ass in the first one. But orgo I is not memorization, like everyone seems to think. It is pure and simple understanding of concepts. In Orgo II, you just get more and more similar concepts.

However, most of the o-chem questions I've seen on the MCAT and on practice tests have been from orgo II.

But all this aside, why would you do something stupid like take the MCAT before you've had all the classes that are covered on it?

Thanks for the advice. I've talked to several people that gave me different advice so I wasn't sure. I've got over a year before I take it though.

 

[MossPoh]

That's kind of weird. You're the first person I've heard say that. Most everyone I know that took mcat in past said it was all pretty straightfoward o-chem 1 stuff. Looking at my review books, I'm really not as worried about organic for whatever reason. I'm more concerned with the physics that I'm 5 years removed from I guess.

 

[Natatiap]

I was reading an article just this week about this topic. Who knows how true it is but I added the link below. Basically it stated that schools are looking towards non-science majors because they appear to be well rounded showing interests outside of core sciences. I think whether you make the decision to major in science or a non-science should not be influenced by whether it would get you into med school or not but major in what you want because you are interested in it. I chose to major in Psychology, a science but not a pre med science of course. I minored in chemistry only because I was one class away from getting the minor. I changed my major first semester in undergrad after I took the Intro to Psychology which was required by my school and I fell in love with it. If you do a non-traditional science just make sure in addition to your pre-med prereqs to add a couple additional science classes. I took biotechniques (which I am seeing a lot of this imformation again in medical school), cell biology, quantitative analysis and one more I cant think of now. I didnt take biochemistry but I would recommend it just for the MCAT if you havent taken it yet. Biochemistry was our first class in med school and i'm doing good in it even w/o having previously seeing the information but it was heavy on my version of the mcat. Basically major in what makes you happy and take a couple extra classes and you should be fine. Ive seen it all (Theatre pre med, Art Pre Med, Engineering Pre med) and imagine how these stick out from the crowd! Good luck 😀
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20534716/site/newsweek/

 

[Punchap]

Try to think one step ahead of the "admissions committee and mcat" hurdle. Set your goals at success in medschool and the other two will work themselves out. I was a micro bio, immuno, molecular genetics major. I slept through the first two weeks of medschool... people who did psychology will be sleeping later when the behavioral science block rolls around. Take the classes that you like (please don't take art) .. and are relevant to medschool. Physiology would be a great class to take and it will help you on the mcat (impress admissions committee? --only if you do well).

What's wrong with art? I know a few pre-meds who could use the right/left side brain balance that art provides. Unfortunately, I never got around to taking art in college -- but I draw, paint, sew/design in my free time. Do what you love.

 

[umean2tellme]

Anthropology major and bio minor. I originally was a BIO major so I took a few classes beyond what minors need: ecology, genetics, pathophysiology. Also, since i'm not getting a B.S. b/c my school doesn't offer a BS in anthro, I got two semesters of calculus that is pretty much electives for me. I took anthropology b/c I ended up in an archaeology class to fill social science req and I loved it. It's interesting and not as stressful as these bio classes at my school. The whole dept is pretty relaxed and you don't have to worry about being weeded out as most nat sci classes seem to want to do.

 

[DC DOC]

What's wrong with art? I know a few pre-meds who could use the right/left side brain balance that art provides. Unfortunately, I never got around to taking art in college -- but I draw, paint, sew/design in my free time. Do what you love.

I second that! I am a Spanish and international studies major and I love it. I had to take a few additional science classes to prepare for the M-CAT, but that wasn't problem for something I enjoy studying. I believe it will allow me to better communicate with the growing and already large Hispanic population. Do what you love and the admissions commitee will know it.

I took three additional upper division Physics courses and Cell-Bio with Genetics, I also took an advanced comparative lit. class to help with the Verbal Reasoning section.

 

[hb2998]

What's wrong with art? I know a few pre-meds who could use the right/left side brain balance that art provides. Unfortunately, I never got around to taking art in college -- but I draw, paint, sew/design in my free time. Do what you love.

There is nothing wrong with art, but unfortunately it won't help you on the MCAT, or make you sleep more during medschool. I love art as well, and have fortunately taken many many classes in it (mostly music, opera, theater), but the OP wanted to know what to take prior to the MCAT, I wanted to change his/her mindset from "before mcat" to "before medschool."

Today a group from my school is going to a local museum to study fine art, and to learn to look for detail in painting. Its great for anatomy, etc, but still hour for hour you'll get more out of taking physiology or anatomy which is relevant to medschool than taking art.

 

[hb2998]

I second that! I am a Spanish and international studies major and I love it. I had to take a few additional science classes to prepare for the M-CAT, but that wasn't problem for something I enjoy studying. I believe it will allow me to better communicate with the growing and already large Hispanic population. Do what you love and the admissions commitee will know it.

I agree 👍. Its very very useful... for your career and great for getting into medschool (ad coms LOOOVE that stuff... nontraditional majors stand out no matter how relatively easy the subject may be. I was an anthro minor... not hard.) Its awesome you're doing the double major 😉! (Useful during medschool... depending on your school's geographical location maybe during 3rd and 4th year, can't tell you yet.)


If I had to suggest a class to take before medschool it would defiantly be Biochem.. There are a lot of concepts in biochem which you just can't learn quickly. They're simple, but they come up often and to appreciate them you need a class that goes covers them and explains the concepts in depth.

 

[DocRawk]

What's wrong with art? I know a few pre-meds who could use the right/left side brain balance that art provides. Unfortunately, I never got around to taking art in college -- but I draw, paint, sew/design in my free time. Do what you love.

+1 I just graduated with a BA in music and a minor in psychology. 3.87 Science GPA with all prereqs and a couple extras. 31 MCAT. Not perfect, but very strong overall. My adviser is telling me that the BA and minor will work to my advantage showing that I'm extremely well rounded. Study what interests you. People used to think it was a good thing to be well versed in a wide variety of things. I think they called it the Renaissance...

 

[Muscles00GT]

Kinesiology major here 😎

 

[Unknown3234]

BA in psychology with a minor in public health.

 

[TexasTriathlete]

I also have a Kinesiology degree. It is a BS, so I'm not sure if its really considered a science major or not, but I did take some science-based courses. Then again, I also took some idiotic courses where I learned how to design a weight room or plan an event.

Also, the biology degree that I have nearly completed is another BS about to be under my belt.

 

[t-funk]

I have a BS in Geology and a BA in Anthropology with a minor in Math. I also have about 20 hours of music. I started as an engineering major though. I wonder if the Adcoms will think I am well-rounded or crazy?

 

[HaveHope]

I'm a Psychology major and a Spanish minor. In addition to the med school prerequisites, I have also taken neurobiology and calculus and am currently taking biochem. That will be it for my science classes because all of this is already making me take 5 years to graduate instead of 4. I just took the MCAT in September so I had all of those classes done beforehand (except biochem). On some practice tests having taken neruo helped on a few questions, but really I don't think it would have been bad without it, either. I think the prereqs are enough to prepare you for the MCAT as long as you learn the stuff foward and backward. (But maybe I'll be saying something different after I get my score haha)

 

[Vee]

I was a Spanish major with a premed concentration. I only took the required premed sciences + advanced calc and did fine on the MCAT (30) and am doing fine as an MS1 now. They really do teach you what you need to know once you're here, so your background isn't a huge deal. It might make certain things easier but I am not struggling with it (as someone with a non-science background).

Definitely major in what you enjoy.

 

[Powdermonkey]

Just got my mechanical engineering degree this past December. Decided that the work sucked in my co-op opportunity before my senior year, and didn't feel like switching majors. Realized medicine was what I wanted shortly after that and planned accordingly for post graduation classes. Best. Decision. Ever. Just got my MCAT scores back (I took it twice. Wasnt as prepared as I should have been the first time.) and am really pumped about hopefully getting in this year, somewhere. I know personally two doctors around here that were mechanical engineers and are now physicians. Apparently they like the way we think or something like that....?? 🙂

 

[mrjbb]

I'm majoring in MEDICINE!! Whohoooo!! I'm doing 4 yrs of med school and no undergrad for me!! yeah!!!!.....

 

[JasonUD]

Hi everyone. I was wondering if anybody else is majoring in area's besides chem or bio. I'm majoring in psychology since it's something I enjoy and I think it will help have a better understanding of anybody I'll be working with as a doctor (patients/families/co-workers etc).

Also, how many extra science classes did you take beyond what most med schools require for amission? (2 Bio's, 2 Inorganic Chem's, 2 Organic Chem's and 2 Physics)? What science classes did you have under your belt before you conquered the MCAT? I'm trying to decide when to take it.

I'm a second year at NYCOM. I have a friend who was an English Major and another friend who was a History Major in my class.

I'd recommend you take an Anatomy and Physiology class and/or lab. The more anatomy and physiology you know, the easier your first year of medical school will be (especially anatomy). The Physio will help you on the MCAT, but both of them will help you even more once you start med school.