Should I major in Computer Science?

[ShaggyAce]

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I am having a bit of trouble making up my mind on a major. I really want to go to Med School in the future. A little background, I am essentially a junior in college but a little behind in my studies. I volunteer at the cardiology department at my local hospital in the summers and volunteer as an EMT on an ambulance during the school year. I have a 3.6 GPA currently with only Chem and half of Physics done in terms of Pre-Med requirements. I declared my major recently as Computer Science because I have an interest in programming and could see myself in such an industry if I were rejected from Med School. But at the same time, I see friends around me who are also taking the Pre-med route but majoring in things like Biology and Psychology. I don't feel comfortable with a major that wouldn't be giving me a back up plan but Computer Science also seems kind of useless at times considering the fact that I wouldn't mind going overseas for med school either. Am I just wasting my time with a Computer Science degree? Should I just switch to something like Psychology. Psychology is only a 30 credit major at my school while Comp Sci is 55.

 

[HereIgo2011]

I graduated with a degree in CS and got accepted at multiple schools already. You should do what you love but not as a back up plan. It is a little stressful at time but do able as a CS major. It seems to me that most med school found what I do as a programmer very positively. Good luck.

 

[Aaja]

Don't get an easy degree you aren't even interested in just because everyone else is doing it. I like you realistic idea of a back-up plan personally. Given less than 50% of med school applicants even get in on their first try, your degree might still be marketable enough to get a part-time job so that you pay the bills while reapplying the following year.

If you like programming computer software and can still keep up the good GPA, why change? Med schools accept non Biology or Chemistry majors all of the time, no worries.

 

[vapor90]

make sure you know what CS entails and if you're still OK with it just go for it. you'll thrive in something you're interested in. Plus CS doesn't necessarily just have to be a backup plan. There are many ways you can incorporate your CS background into medicine later on down the road. I was in your same position except with elec. eng. It turned out to be a hell of a lot more work but I don't regret it one bit. Don't bank on getting too much sleep though 😴

 

[Danlee07]

If you go to any career fair, then you will know the answer... major in Computer Science. There are so many applications to innovative and current systems in any field including medicine. Plus, it's excellent to know for yourself.

 

[duress]

I did a lot of CS related work/research in undergrad and it's still relevant. Most labs highly value someone who can program, so you could probably get a leg up in a chem/bio/phys lab if you feel the need.

 

[MT Headed]

A CompSci major will teach you fantic allegiance to logical thinking which will help a lot with all the MCAT sections, and if you decide to work in the industry for a few years you can self-finance your medical education too. A least that's been my experience.

Some interviewers were really excited about my CS degree and wanted to know my opinions on electronic medical records or bioinformatics, and the rest didn't care. It certainly was never a negative. If you enjoy the subject, pursue it by all means.

 

[sector9]

Duplicate thread. Closing this one. Discussion may be continued here.