Science Major VS something else?

[Ccn2000]

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Hello everyone! I'm new to the SDN forums.
Background info - I live in Texas and intend to go to a Texas Medical School; 18 years old, Female.
Currently going into my sophomore year of college, have a 3.9 GPA (got a B in Calculus).

Initially before starting college, I was a dead set Business major, but have given it A LOT of thought, and around 2nd semester decided to pursue medicine. So far, I've taken Biology 1 and Chem 1, and for Fall of 2011, I'll be taking [GenChem 2, Biol 2, Physics 1] and some GenEd classes, then for Spring [Physics 2, OCHEM 1, and other PreReqs]

I've been focusing on taking the PreReq classes, upon the assumption that I'd be the traditional Biology degree with a possible Business Minor as I already have some credit there.

I feel like for the past semester and most of this summer, I've given so much thought about what I should major in. I simply just do not know. After spending some time here, its seems the best advice is 'major in what you like and do well in your science classes. Keep a high GPA and MCAT score.'
I feel like I could major in literally anything except Engineering perhaps. Math doesn't come too naturally to me and I worked so very hard for that B in Calculus (my university is famous for its Engineering school, so Math is rather hard and a big deal here).

I'm the type of student who will work hard and have high expectations for myself. That being the case, should I just major in Biology as most of the classes would help me later on in Med School, even though the majority of applicants are Bio majors,
or would it be better to major in a Liberal Art or Humanities class?

So I guess this post is directed towards people who majored in something else besides the usual sciences...how did you do it? What was your major and what sort of timeline did you have and what were your experiences? Observations? And how did it help you in medical school?


I just don't know; I'm just feeling unsure, and feel like I'm taking a risk either way. Please share your experiences, thoughts, and insight! Anything would be appreciated.

Although if there's already a post like this one, please link me to that! Thank you so much for your time.

 

[AestheticMed]

It doesn't really matter what you major in as long as you have the pre-reqs.

 

[TheMightySmiter]

I major in political science, then did a post-bacc for my prereqs. Don't regret this route at all! Major in what you enjoy, it won't make a difference in the med school admissions process...especially if you take a few upper-division science courses beyond the prereq level. If you really like biology, major in that. I know of someone who majored in business management and is in med school now. It really doesn't matter as long as you keep your grades up.

 

[Ccn2000]

That's what I figured, but I keep reading other posts or forums from people saying that its better to major in a Science because of
[List of reasons] or that its better to distinguish yourself with a different type of major to appear well-rounded.
What do medical schools currently look for? Most of these answers came from users back in 2006-2009.

Does it just vary by school to school? Haha or am I just asking a question that doesn't really have an answer as it just depends on my overall application (GPA and MCAT school, personality, so on)

Thanks!! 🙂

 

[AestheticMed]

That's what I figured, but I keep reading other posts or forums from people saying that its better to major in a Science because of
[List of reasons] or that its better to distinguish yourself with a different type of major to appear well-rounded.
What do medical schools currently look for? Most of these answers came from users back in 2006-2009.

Does it just vary by school to school? Haha or am I just asking a question that doesn't really have an answer as it just depends on my overall application (GPA and MCAT school, personality, so on)

Thanks!! 🙂

Well apparently, humanities majors are big right now. But ultimately like said before, just do what you like and have good GPA/MCAT.

 

[circulus vitios]

Don't major in science unless you love labs and, if medicine didn't work out, you would consider going to graduate school provided you understand the implications of going to graduate school (e.g., being poor for most of your 20s, possibly poor job prospects, competition that blows medical school away if you want into academia, etc.) If you major in science and you don't get into medical school and you don't want to get a masters or PhD you're not going to make a whole lot of money.

Otherwise pick something easy and face crappy job prospects or something with a definitive career path like engineering, which you have already ruled out.

 

[TheMightySmiter]

That's what I figured, but I keep reading other posts or forums from people saying that its better to major in a Science because of
[List of reasons] or that its better to distinguish yourself with a different type of major to appear well-rounded.
What do medical schools currently look for? Most of these answers came from users back in 2006-2009.

Does it just vary by school to school? Haha or am I just asking a question that doesn't really have an answer as it just depends on my overall application (GPA and MCAT school, personality, so on)

Thanks!! 🙂

Stop overanalyzing!! It. Doesn't. Matter. Now, go enjoy your last few weeks of summer before it's gone! 😀

 

[AestheticMed]

Don't major in science unless you love labs and, if medicine didn't work out, you would consider going to graduate school, provided you understand the implications of going to graduate school (eg, being poor for most of your 20s, possibly poor job prospects, competition that blows medical school away if you want into academia, etc.) If you major in science and you don't get into medical school and you don't want to get a masters or PhD, you're not going to make a whole lot of money.

Otherwise pick something easy (and face crappy job prospects) or something with a definitive career path (like engineering, which you have already ruled out.)

Eggzactly the danger in doing something like pure Bio/Chem. That's why BME is teh best.

 

[alexlex143]

I just recently graduated with my B.A in English. I will be returning to finish up my pre-reqs (with a second bachelor's in Biology) and to get my M.A in English. Like most have said, don't worry too much and just do what you enjoy! It'll make things A LOT easier. For me, my strongest point has always been in the humanities. It took me a good majority of my undergraduate career to realize that and, while I managed to graduate on time, I wasn't able to make the most of the opportunities that were open to me if I had realized right away that English was the right path for me. I lost a lot of time, which is why I am going back post-bac. With all the science courses required for med school, majoring in English turned out to be an unexpected and amazing balance for me, which is what I need, as it turned out. If you're a great student and you have the grades/test scores/EC's, you'll make it into med school. Period!

 

[lkthlttr]

That's what I figured, but I keep reading other posts or forums from people saying that its better to major in a Science because of
[List of reasons] or that its better to distinguish yourself with a different type of major to appear well-rounded.
What do medical schools currently look for? Most of these answers came from users back in 2006-2009.

Does it just vary by school to school? Haha or am I just asking a question that doesn't really have an answer as it just depends on my overall application (GPA and MCAT school, personality, so on)

Thanks!! 🙂

A 4.0 GPA. 30+ on the MCAT. ECs that demonstrate knowledge of medical field. That's it.

 

[kpcrew]

This is a bit unrelated and I know you said you want to go to a school in Texas but there's a program in Mount Sinai that are for people who don't want to go the typical pre-med science route. http://www.mssm.edu/education/medic...nd-medicine-early-acceptance-program/about-us

It's a bit of a tight squeeze since applications are due relatively soon but if you are interested, you can get into a really good medical school early and you don't have to take the MCAT. Another benefit is that you can use two years to focus on things that you care about and gives you a good amount of freedom.

 

[Ccn2000]

Hey guys,
Thanks so much for all the replies so far! They've been helpful and informative 🙂

Is it possible to not major in anything at all, or get started on a major, but apply to medical school and get accepted without a Bachelors? Or is it possible, but rarely happens?
From my reading about the application process for Med schools in TX, they say that you don't need a Bachelors, but "it's strongly recommended." You just need about 90+ hours, including your prereqs.

I only ask because my sister did that for Pharmacy school; she never finished her Bachelors and got accepted early--but of course, it's different. Just wondering though.

 

[AestheticMed]

Hey guys,
Thanks so much for all the replies so far! They've been helpful and informative 🙂

Is it possible to not major in anything at all, or get started on a major, but apply to medical school and get accepted without a Bachelors? Or is it possible, but rarely happens?
From my reading about the application process for Med schools in TX, they say that you don't need a Bachelors, but "it's strongly recommended." You just need about 90+ hours, including your prereqs.

I only ask because my sister did that for Pharmacy school; she never finished her Bachelors and got accepted early--but of course, it's different. Just wondering though.

A dentist I know didn't get his Bachelor's. He went to school after 90 hours after his junior year.

 

[kpcrew]

Well many people apply in the summer of their junior year so they can get accepted to medical school before they finish all their coursework and receive their degree.

 

[aSagacious]

Is it possible to not major in anything at all, or get started on a major, but apply to medical school and get accepted without a Bachelors? Or is it possible, but rarely happens?

From my reading about the application process for Med schools in TX, they say that you don't need a Bachelors, but "it's strongly recommended." You just need about 90+ hours, including your prereqs.

Correct. Many applicants are accepted before they complete their bachelor's, but the acceptance offer is generally contingent upon the acceptee finishing their degree before matriculating. If he were to fail the remainder of his classes or simply not graduate the school would most likely rescind their acceptance.

 

[ScholarStud]

I think you should just finish your major in Business and take all the prereqs for medical school.

 

[Ccn2000]

Haha trust me, that was my initial decision and I was very confident in it. However, long story short-- I talked to my PreMed advisor at my university, and apparently I can't do that because our College of Business doesn't allow for minors, but instead a more concentrated Business Core. And there's some law in TX that states that I can't have more than 150 credit hours without paying out-of-state tuition. Should I major in Business, I'd have 122 hours plus the 40 hrs of Science classes.
So I can't major in business, although I really want to. I could, but I'd have to pay more for school than I am now, which is nothing since I have a full ride scholarship.

Thanks for the suggestion though!! And thank you everyone else again for your helpful responses. I'll just take it slowly for now, and look through other degree plans to see what their reqs are.

OOH WAIT!! Nvm, you said "finish" my degree first. I haven't considered that option too much since I wanted to apply to med school my junior year, so I'd need to have most of my prereqs completed right?
But I'll reconsider. Business would be a good backup if my plan for Med School fails as its so flexible.

 

[iceman132]

I seriously doubt it matters as long as you have a good GPA and MCat score.

However, the overwhelming majority of people that get into medical school from the statistics I see are usually Bio majors.

 

[Launcelot]

Hello everyone! I'm new to the SDN forums.
Background info - I live in Texas and intend to go to a Texas Medical School; 18 years old, Female.
Currently going into my sophomore year of college, have a 3.9 GPA (got a B in Calculus).

Initially before starting college, I was a dead set Business major, but have given it A LOT of thought, and around 2nd semester decided to pursue medicine. So far, I've taken Biology 1 and Chem 1, and for Fall of 2011, I'll be taking [GenChem 2, Biol 2, Physics 1] and some GenEd classes, then for Spring [Physics 2, OCHEM 1, and other PreReqs]

I've been focusing on taking the PreReq classes, upon the assumption that I'd be the traditional Biology degree with a possible Business Minor as I already have some credit there.

I feel like for the past semester and most of this summer, I've given so much thought about what I should major in. I simply just do not know. After spending some time here, its seems the best advice is 'major in what you like and do well in your science classes. Keep a high GPA and MCAT score.'
I feel like I could major in literally anything except Engineering perhaps. Math doesn't come too naturally to me and I worked so very hard for that B in Calculus (my university is famous for its Engineering school, so Math is rather hard and a big deal here).

I'm the type of student who will work hard and have high expectations for myself. That being the case, should I just major in Biology as most of the classes would help me later on in Med School, even though the majority of applicants are Bio majors,
or would it be better to major in a Liberal Art or Humanities class?

So I guess this post is directed towards people who majored in something else besides the usual sciences...how did you do it? What was your major and what sort of timeline did you have and what were your experiences? Observations? And how did it help you in medical school?


I just don't know; I'm just feeling unsure, and feel like I'm taking a risk either way. Please share your experiences, thoughts, and insight! Anything would be appreciated.

Although if there's already a post like this one, please link me to that! Thank you so much for your time.

The primary difference between your decision is the additional time required to take, say, Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physics, and Biology if it wasn't part of the list of classes you needed to take anyways to get your Bachelor's.

Let's say, for example, that you are a linguistics major who is trying to apply to medical school, versus a biology major applying to medical school.

As a linguistics major, you'd be taking classes far and away from the sciences in order to get your degree and then you'll have to tack on at least an additional year or two to get your prerequisite courses done after that (assuming that you have not started general chemistry, physics, biology, or calculus).

As a biology major, those necessary lower division courses (those described above) and some nifty extras (like cell biology and genetics) would have already been included in your 4 years of schooling. You would then be following the usually MCAT on junior year, applying during summer in between then and senior, and finally receiving your acceptance (or rejection) letters by Spring of your senior year at your university/college.

 

[Launcelot]

...
But I'll reconsider. Business would be a good backup if my plan for Med School fails as its so flexible.

I am a firm believer that if you were so inclined on even applying to medical school, that you must, first of all, be persistent and you must come to the conclusion by yourself to accept nothing else short of medical school.

I'm not saying to mindlessly break yourself against the rigors of medical school admissions, but I think that your should really spend your time looking at what doctors really do and learn to get passionate about what you are about to do. I'm a fanatic. 👍

 

[kathrasis]

I am a firm believer that if you were so inclined on even applying to medical school, that you must, first of all, be persistent and you must come to the conclusion by yourself to accept nothing else short of medical school.

I'm not saying to mindlessly break yourself against the rigors of medical school admissions, but I think that your should really spend your time looking at what doctors really do and learn to get passionate about what you are about to do. I'm a fanatic. 👍

ITT: People with parents who will support them no matter what.

 

[JESSFALLING]

I'd major in Business if you really like it AND take as many pre-med courses that you can squeeze into your schedule. Two of the requirements should also fulfill GE requirements (I'm guessing), which will help. You can then complete any remaining courses post-bacc, or concurrently at another college (over the summer, etc.), if needed. Or, you can just pay OOS for 1 semester at the end of your major. You should also look into the possibility of testing out of any GE courses that you are already knowledgable in. Many universities accept CLEP credit, for example, which may or may not count against you for the 150 unit limit...you'll have to verify the ramifications of this if you like the idea.

I'd also see if you can major in something like Biology or Chemistry and also Minor in Business. That would be a good combination too! If your school offers a BA degree in either of those, you may find that this combination will fit within the 150 unit limit. (And a BA degree in science is absolutely fine, from an admissions perspective.)

Lastly, I honestly think that a Business (or Economics or Politics) program is great preparation for a future, sucessful private practice, if that is one's goal. I hear from multiple practicing physicians that they wish that they would have studied more business, economics, and politics while in college. They think it would have eased the very challenging (and stressful) transition from residency to business ownership. Good luck!

 

[TheMightySmiter]

The primary difference between your decision is the additional time required to take, say, Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physics, and Biology if it wasn't part of the list of classes you needed to take anyways to get your Bachelor's.

Let's say, for example, that you are a linguistics major who is trying to apply to medical school, versus a biology major applying to medical school.

As a linguistics major, you'd be taking classes far and away from the sciences in order to get your degree and then you'll have to tack on at least an additional year or two to get your prerequisite courses done after that (assuming that you have not started general chemistry, physics, biology, or calculus).

As a biology major, those necessary lower division courses (those described above) and some nifty extras (like cell biology and genetics) would have already been included in your 4 years of schooling. You would then be following the usually MCAT on junior year, applying during summer in between then and senior, and finally receiving your acceptance (or rejection) letters by Spring of your senior year at your university/college.

This is completely untrue. You can major in almost anything you want to AND finish the med school prereqs in a 4-year period. At my undergrad, you only needed 14 courses in your major. The average college student takes 35-40 classes. This leaves plenty of time for med school prereqs and for a number of additional electives. It is absolutely false that you need to major in biology to be "on track" to apply to med school the summer before your senior year.

 

[Launcelot]

ITT: People with parents who will support them no matter what.

Loans. If you fail, get a job and reapply.

This is completely untrue. You can major in almost anything you want to AND finish the med school prereqs in a 4-year period. At my undergrad, you only needed 14 courses in your major. The average college student takes 35-40 classes. This leaves plenty of time for med school prereqs and for a number of additional electives. It is absolutely false that you need to major in biology to be "on track" to apply to med school the summer before your senior year.

Actually, I'm from CA, and the way it works at CSUs and UCs is that in addition to general education (which I suppose that you may be able to satisfy physics and first year chem) you'll need a majority of those "14" other courses to be: #1 upper division courses, and #2 courses selected from your major, as outlined by the school's course requirements.

Its possible to be done in 4 years, yes, but this is not realistic for everyone, especially if you are doing your EC/working during your time in undergrad.

Sure, you can try it, but more often than not, a common approach is to enter a post-bac program to finish up the rest of the pre-req there before medical school.

 

[TheMightySmiter]

Loans. If you fail, get a job and reapply.



Actually, I'm from CA, and the way it works at CSUs and UCs is that in addition to general education (which I suppose that you may be able to satisfy physics and first year chem) you'll need a majority of those "14" other courses to be: #1 upper division courses, and #2 courses selected from your major, as outlined by the school's course requirements.

Its possible to be done in 4 years, yes, but this is not realistic for everyone, especially if you are doing your EC/working during your time in undergrad.

Sure, you can try it, but more often than not, a common approach is to enter a post-bac program to finish up the rest of the pre-req there before medical school.

I suppose things were very different at my undergrad. It was not difficult to finish a major in literally any field and still complete all of the med school prereqs on track to apply just before senior year. Most of my friends who are now in med school did not major in biology, and still started med school right after graduating undergrad. This was by far the most common approach. Time for plenty of ECs too. Now, I myself did a post-bacc because I didn't decide I wanted to go to med school until right before graduation. Had I decided earlier on, I would have pretty easily been able to finish both my major requirements (political science) and my prereqs in four years. Heck, I'd probably have been able to do it in 3 years if I took summer classes.

Here's how the credit situation would work on a semester system: The minimum number of classes you needed to take to graduate from my UG was 38. Most majors required 14 classes taken in the field. This leaves 24 electives. There are four year-long med school prereqs, and let's add a couple upper-division science electives for kicks. This is 10 classes. So you still have 14 electives after you've finished BOTH your major requirements and your prereqs.