nutrition program and applying to medicine

[Canadian IB]

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I was in a bio major and now i am thinking of doing a nutrition major that lead to an RD. I still want to apply to med school and i am just wondering if I am going to be harshly questioned about why I want to be an MD and not an RD?

 

[oNichole]

Will you actually be completing your dietetic internship? If you were to take a year off to do that it would be valuable experience. I don't think you would be judged harshly if you just explain to them that you were very interested in nutrition and how it plays a role in medicine. It may actually make you look better because nutrition has such a huge impact on health, and from what I understand most doctors don't know nearly enough about it... hence the need for RDs.

They may see it as a backup plan but if you can explain to them how you always planned on becoming a doctor and how having a degree in nutrition would make you a better doctor you will be fine.

 

[Paladin7]

It is true that a bio major is more "traditional" for pre meds, and for that reason, you may be asked to explain your change of major. Don't let that bother you though. If someone "harshly questions" you, their real intention is to see how you respond. As long as you have a sincere reason for wanting to go MD and can explain your interest in nutrition (and its relationship to medicine as oNichole said), then you should have no prob with this.

Personally I think a bio major would help you more in the long run, and I would stick to bio as a major, but that's just me.

 

[LizzyM]

I was surprised this year at the prejudice that at least one adcom member showed toward someone who had taken a number of nutrition classes. It was considered "easy" and a "gpa booster" and not taken as seriously as bio. It is a vicious cycle as physicians don't know much about nutrition but at the same time many of them don't have much respect for dietitians and nutritionists.

 

[moto_za]

i was surprised this year at the prejudice that at least one adcom member showed toward someone who had taken a number of nutrition classes. It was considered "easy" and a "gpa booster" and not taken as seriously as bio. It is a vicious cycle as physicians don't know much about nutrition but at the same time many of them don't have much respect for dietitians and nutritionists.

wow 🙁

 

[pennstate4life]

There are classes easier than bio major classes? I thought people declare bio majors because it is the easiest accepted path to medicine.

 

[Canadian IB]

I was surprised this year at the prejudice that at least one adcom member showed toward someone who had taken a number of nutrition classes. It was considered "easy" and a "gpa booster" and not taken as seriously as bio. It is a vicious cycle as physicians don't know much about nutrition but at the same time many of them don't have much respect for dietitians and nutritionists.

Hopefully I can begin to change that mentality. At least I am going to be a unique applicant! Thanks for all your responses especially Lizzy M!

Also, I don't think that I will be completing my internship because I have always wanted to be a doctor but I am also very interested in nutrition and I want to take advantage of the fact that an applicant can take any major and apply to medicine.