Physics Major Problem/Question

[fmpak93]

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Just had a mock interview and premed advisor asked why I'm doing Physics instead of a bio major. I told them I prefer to study physics since it is more interesting. She goes black and white on me saying I don't like bio all of a sudden and that I should go for something in the engineer field.... =____= huh?

So for the Technical/Math/Physics/Engineer majors out there, what exactly was your response to: Why did you do that major and not something in biological science?

 

[kxc262]

Let me ask you this then - You like Physics so why medicine?

You can have passions outside of medicine, but we want to know why you are drawn to the medical field. I hope that makes sense because med school applicants come from all types of background.

 

[fmpak93]

My reasons for pursuing medicine all connect to life experiences, thoughts and clinical experiences - so now what? This would go off topic from "why Physics and not biology..."

She made me feel like I was doing the wrong thing in majoring in Physics. Or as if i was self deceiving myself and did not like biology...

What would be a good answer to "Why physics and not biology" without making it seem like you chose physics because you had something against biology. My answer was that I find physics more interesting...she turned it around and guilt tripped me for placing more interest in physics over bio 🙁

 

[FindMeOnTheLinks]

"I really enjoy using math to solve complex problems that allows me to understand how the world works at a fundamental level. I think my physics background will give me an interesting and diverse perspective on solving the complex problems presented in medicine. While I enjoy biology, I know that I will be focusing mostly on biology in my future studies in medical school, and that my undergraduate studies will be my only opportunity to pursue an education in physics......"

 

[areserine]

Well what is it about physics that you like more than bio? Start there but connect the things you like about physics to medicine without putting down bio, does that make sense? I liked that in physics I got to X which helps relate to my interest in pursuing medicine because Y."

 

[fmpak93]

"I really enjoy using math to solve complex problems that allows me to understand how the world works at a fundamental level. I think my physics background will give me an interesting and diverse perspective on solving the complex problems presented in medicine. While I enjoy biology, I know that I will be focusing mostly on biology in my future studies in medical school, and that my undergraduate studies will be my only opportunity to pursue an education in physics......"

this one is awesome 🙂 I'll try to do something like this next time 🙂

 

[popopopop]

My reasons for pursuing medicine all connect to life experiences, thoughts and clinical experiences - so now what? This would go off topic from "why Physics and not biology..."

She made me feel like I was doing the wrong thing in majoring in Physics. Or as if i was self deceiving myself and did not like biology...

What would be a good answer to "Why physics and not biology" without making it seem like you chose physics because you had something against biology. My answer was that I find physics more interesting...she turned it around and guilt tripped me for placing more interest in physics over bio 🙁

Pfft, don't listen to her. I admire the physics majors at my school and it's a ridiculous and ignorant thing for the advisor to say. You're picking a more challenging major and being true to your interests. Your first statement is enough of a basis to expand on the issue if you can eloquently explain it. Was she purposely giving you a hard time because it's a mock-interview?

 

[fmpak93]

Well what is it about physics that you like more than bio? Start there but connect the things you like about physics to medicine without putting down bio, does that make sense? I liked that in physics I got to X which helps relate to my interest in pursuing medicine because Y."

I've always made a connection to radiology, and physics based techniques used in medicine. I did that and then she turned it on me again and said that's more in the line of scientists and engineerings...lol but i do like your advice 🙂

 

[fmpak93]

Pfft, don't listen to her. I admire the physics majors at my school and it's a ridiculous and ignorant thing for the advisor to say. You're picking a more challenging major and being true to your interests. Your first statement is enough of a basis to expand on the issue if you can eloquently explain it. Was she purposely giving you a hard time because it's a mock-interview?

she did say at the end it was a pressure interview, but her opinions were justifiable her own. I doubt she'd tell me I should go do engineering instead only to say that she was joking and was being hard on purpose haha 😛 but yeah forget herr, my friend just told me she's the meanest of the bunch that mock interview premeds so I'm not surprised anymore

 

[popopopop]

I've always made a connection to radiology, and physics based techniques used in medicine. I did that and then she turned it on me again and said that's more in the line of scientists and engineerings...lol but i do like your advice 🙂

I have a different perspective on this. I don't think you necessarily have to connect your undergrad major for a reason to go to med school. If that's the case, then why even give premeds a choice? Why not require so many hours at a hospital/clinic/shadowing etc in the first place? Your interests in medicine is already justified by your time outside of the classrooms. Your undergrad degree + prereqs gives adcoms a reason to think you won't fail out of their medschool. Be as truthful as you can without sounding artificial.

 

[fmpak93]

I have a different perspective on this. I don't think you necessarily have to connect your undergrad major for a reason to go to med school. If that's the case, then why even give premeds a choice? Why not require so many hours at a hospital/clinic/shadowing etc in the first place? Your interests in medicine is already justified by your time outside of the classrooms. Your undergrad degree + prereqs gives adcoms a reason to think you won't fail out of their medschool. Be as truthful as you can without sounding artificial.

Thats true thanks 🙂 and exactly, dont ask a premed student who's submitted 16 secondary apps and will submit a dozen more "are you sure you wanna be a doctor"....like id go through this entire hell for nothing haha

 

[Goro]

She was pushing you to see if you could intellectually stand on your two feet and justify your decision.

My reasons for pursuing medicine all connect to life experiences, thoughts and clinical experiences - so now what? This would go off topic from "why Physics and not biology..."

She made me feel like I was doing the wrong thing in majoring in Physics. Or as if i was self deceiving myself and did not like biology...

What would be a good answer to "Why physics and not biology" without making it seem like you chose physics because you had something against biology. My answer was that I find physics more interesting...she turned it around and guilt tripped me for placing more interest in physics over bio 🙁