Philosophy Major for Med School

[awbond]

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Anyone a philosophy major or know the chances of getting in? I am an undecided major at the moment but have an interest in philosophy. I know that schools are accepting arts majors and I know I could have a high GPA with the required courses. I excel at biology and chemistry so I'm not worried about the MCAT.

 

[dsk89]

Your major in college doesn't matter to medical schools. Major in anything you want and you feel you can excel in and enjoy! Also make sure you do well in the pre-reqs!

 

[plumhill]

Anyone a philosophy major or know the chances of getting in? I am an undecided major at the moment but have an interest in philosophy. I know that schools are accepting arts majors and I know I could have a high GPA with the required courses. I excel at biology and chemistry so I'm not worried about the MCAT.

I'm a philosophy major, and I think it'll help me out, especially because I'm crafting a bioethics focus out of it. You'll definitely stand out from the ranks of bio majors, and (per my opinion) it is a challenging enough major that adcoms won't think you just picked up an easy major to have a high GPA. There's a movement towards having more of a humanities bend in medicine in order to craft more compassionate and personable physicians, so I honestly think it'll help you! I also have a classmate who was a dual philosophy/biology major, and he said that adcoms were really interested in his major choice and what he did with it.

 

[Josh7]

Doesn't really matter. Study whatever you feel interested/passionate about. Not all pre-meds are biology majors.

 

[awbond]

I'm a philosophy major, and I think it'll help me out, especially because I'm crafting a bioethics focus out of it. You'll definitely stand out from the ranks of bio majors, and (per my opinion) it is a challenging enough major that adcoms won't think you just picked up an easy major to have a high GPA. There's a movement towards having more of a humanities bend in medicine in order to craft more compassionate and personable physicians, so I honestly think it'll help you! I also have a classmate who was a dual philosophy/biology major, and he said that adcoms were really interested in his major choice and what he did with it.

Glad to hear! I was thinking on phil major and chem minor.

 

[golfandmedicine]

Personally, if I could do it all over again I would choose philosophy. Not because of anything medical school related, I am happy with the medical school I will be attending. I just feel that with the basic sciences and completing research I wouldn't be far off from where I am with a biomedical science major. Philosophy is one of the things that I am always interested in but have trouble finding time to fit in on my own time with all my science classes.

As long as you make sure you learn the material in the science classes you have to take, you shouldnt really be at a disadvantage for medical school, and it would probably be a better major in terms of making yourself a well rounded person.

 

[BABSstudent]

Glad to hear! I was thinking on phil major and chem minor.

Minors don't matter, so only do one if you enjoy the classes. Personally, I have one class left to get a minor in chem but I will never take it because chemistry is boring to me.

 

[ErrantWhatever]

Many schools seem to appreciate a well-rounded applicant w/ non-science interests. I was a philosophy major and got II's from most of the schools to which I applied, along w/ one acceptance thus far. If you're into it and can get all the pre-reqs in, go for it!

 

[Josh7]

Many schools seem to appreciate a well-rounded applicant w/ non-science interests. I was a philosophy major and got II's from most of the schools to which I applied, along w/ one acceptance thus far. If you're into it and can get all the pre-reqs in, go for it!

Did your philosophy major come up often in interviews?

 

[occams_razor]

no, it really doesn't matter what you major in as long as you complete the pre-reqs. philosophy majors actually score higher on standardized tests, even on the MCAT they score higher than all other humanities majors

 

[kickster]

no, it really doesn't matter what you major in as long as you complete the pre-reqs. philosophy majors actually score higher on standardized tests, even on the MCAT they score higher than all other humanities majors

Do you have a link for that?

I'm a philosophy major, chemistry minor and I'm extremely happy with my decision. I love the balance between science and non-science classes (gives me a break from the gunner science kids). Also did a bioethics focus, fascinating stuff imo.

 

[CarlisleBeans]

I'm a journalism major and I've been accepted.

 

[suuuperhuman17]

Did your philosophy major come up often in interviews?

I've been briefly asked about it in 2 of 3 interviews. I wouldn't say it's a major talking point per se, but it does give the impression of a more well-rounded candidate.

 

[ErrantWhatever]

Did your philosophy major come up often in interviews?

It only came up as a passing matter if at all. I'm a non-trad and had plenty of other things which piqued interviewers' interests (like a foray into law school--whups).

 

[pre med 2014]

It will not really matter that much. A lot of science background is good, but as long as your grades are good you'll be fine.

 

[Lollygag]

Wasn't there a study a few years ago that showed philosophy majors scored the highest on the MCAT beating, biochem, engineering and biology? I'm annoyed because I can't find it now but I thought I heard about it from somewhere. I think the 2nd highest scores were from literature and 3rd was biochem but I can't back it up :-/