Quick question about minor

[bonoz]

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I am currently have Bioinformatics as a minor. I am undecided as to whether or not I want to pursue it as I will be eligible to graduate next fall; for me to really pursue it I would have to take another semester of classes pushing my graduation date to next spring. Should I send my transcript either ways? Can I later decide to delete that minor? would this seem like a fishy thing to have on your transcript?

I am thinking of this in terms of application and possible questions they might ask me during the interviews.

Thanks

 

[MossPoh]

Much ado about nothing. Don't sweat it. If you want to take a semester off then the returns will be infinitely greater than some minor. A minor is really pretty worthless. It is more of one of those things you pursue out of your own interest in learning, or just the ease of getting it. For example, it was really easy for me to get a minor in M.I.S., management and a few other fields. I didn't get them, but I could've. It is more applicable for job interviews where you can show you have an interest in a particular area. Med schools won't care and won't bring it up during the interview.

 

[bonoz]

Much ado about nothing. Don't sweat it. If you want to take a semester off then the returns will be infinitely greater than some minor. A minor is really pretty worthless. It is more of one of those things you pursue out of your own interest in learning, or just the ease of getting it. For example, it was really easy for me to get a minor in M.I.S., management and a few other fields. I didn't get them, but I could've. It is more applicable for job interviews where you can show you have an interest in a particular area. Med schools won't care and won't bring it up during the interview.

It's just that my major is IT. Bioinformatics sort of stands out as something bio-related 😛

So should I leave it on my application? or delete my minor first, then send out the transcript?

 

[thedoctor8706]

As far as I know, med schools (at least the ones I've talked to) couldn't care less about what your major or minor was. Just so long as you've done the prereqs and have a solid MCAT, GPA, and EC's, etc, then the admissions committee won't care what path you took to get those. I had a minor in music performance (because it was a passion of mine) that I decided to drop because it would require an extra semester of college. It doesn't really matter because I gained what I wanted from the music classes and all I'm losing is the official record that says I finished the minor. Alot of people I know who got into med school had majors completley unrelated to science or health, so I guess do what you love!

 

[bonoz]

As far as I know, med schools (at least the ones I've talked to) couldn't care less about what your major or minor was. Just so long as you've done the prereqs and have a solid MCAT, GPA, and EC's, etc, then the admissions committee won't care what path you took to get those. I had a minor in music performance (because it was a passion of mine) that I decided to drop because it would require an extra semester of college. It doesn't really matter because I gained what I wanted from the music classes and all I'm losing is the official record that says I finished the minor. Alot of people I know who got into med school had majors completley unrelated to science or health, so I guess do what you love!

Cool. Now as for mentioning it on my transcript and the application even though I am undecided on keeping it, what should I do about that?

 

[Brent8927]

Cool. Now as for mentioning it on my transcript and the application even though I am undecided on keeping it, what should I do about that?

I agree with the others--minors are basically worthless, and mostly should just be pursued for fun, or because you can (ie, if you've already taken all of the courses anyway).

The only reason I have one is I was an art history major for a few quarters before changing majors. I completed enough art history courses for the minor, so I figured I might as well get it, since it was kind of "free."

As far as your application goes, it's probably better to not mention something you have then mention something you don't have. But I highly doubt that even if you mention your minor, and then drop it, that any adcom would care about it--they're interested in you completing your degree, taking the pre-reqs, having a good GPA/MCAT, etc. etc.

 

[bonoz]

I agree with the others--minors are basically worthless, and mostly should just be pursued for fun, or because you can (ie, if you've already taken all of the courses anyway).

The only reason I have one is I was an art history major for a few quarters before changing majors. I completed enough art history courses for the minor, so I figured I might as well get it, since it was kind of "free."

As far as your application goes, it's probably better to not mention something you have then mention something you don't have. But I highly doubt that even if you mention your minor, and then drop it, that any adcom would care about it--they're interested in you completing your degree, taking the pre-reqs, having a good GPA/MCAT, etc. etc.

So should I might as well leave the minor there just to make my ever-so-slightly more appealing and well-versed?

 

[bonoz]

Bump. Could I get more opinions on this please? thanks.

 

[tiedyeddog]

As far as your application goes, it's probably better to not mention something you have then mention something you don't have. But I highly doubt that even if you mention your minor, and then drop it, that any adcom would care about it--they're interested in you completing your degree, taking the pre-reqs, having a good GPA/MCAT, etc. etc.

I agree with this. If your are leaning towards dropping then just don't mention it.

 

[Brent8927]

So should I might as well leave the minor there just to make my ever-so-slightly more appealing and well-versed?

If you think you're more likely to keep the minor, then yes. But if you are leaning towards not keeping it, then I wouldn't recommend listing it in your application.

However, one thing to consider is that unless you drop your minor before you fill out your AMCAS application, then you are technically still minoring in that subject.

Personally I don't think schools will care much if you list it and don't complete the minor or visa-versa, but if you want the best advice possible, then you should contact some admissions offices at some of the schools you plan to apply to and ask them what they recommend.

 

[PremedIowa]

I had my philosophy minor on my application until I ended up dropping it to graduate a semester early and no one really cared. That semester off was an awesome time to have a bunch of cool experiences and save a ton of money in the process. I would probably take the time to do bioinformatics/medical research rather than taking a bunch of semi-useless classes.