Should I switch my major?

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[deleted1011020]

Currently, I am a second year in what is considered one of the most difficult life science majors at a T20 undergrad, but I'm having second thoughts. I haven't started the difficult upper divs that earn the major its notoriety, though I am really interested in the subject matter. The major I would switch to is just regular Bio, and I would spend the rest of undergrad taking mostly ecology courses. I am not all that into ecology, but I understand that to medical schools, it really doesn't matter what you major in because the only thing that they'll look at by the end of it all is your GPA. Is it worth it to stick to the major I'm really interested in, but is objectively more difficult, or should I switch to an easier major that I am not as interested in?

Yes. Switch to the easiest major and do the prereqs. I regret not having done this earlier on.

 

[RangerBob]

Major in what you want to study, and what would be your backup if you don’t end up pursing medicine.

I would never recommend basing your choice of major just on degree of difficulty. If you enjoy what you’re studying, you’re more likely to put more time into studying (and thus find it to not be quite so hard) as well as devote time to relevant ECs, which will help either your med school application or your resume should you end up pursuing further studies/work in that field.

 

[PreMedStudent55555]

I was really interested in Chemistry to be honest but stuck with bio because I heard that the chem upper level classes were notoriously hard at my school. 3 years later and things have gone pretty well for me in terms of medical school admissions.

Stick with the easier major. No school has really questioned or even asked about my major. They do like that I aced my last few years in college though.

 

[deleted1001426]

major in whatever interests you. Don’t pay attention to everyone who preaches to take the path of least resistance and major in underwater basket weaving. If you find a subject that you’re passionate about you’ll be motivated to study which will inevitably lead to academic success and you won’t want to throw yourself out of a window while you’re sitting through lectures in a subject that you don’t give a hoot about.

 

[souravdada]

Don’t do something just because it is easier, if you don’t think you’ll like the classes you’ll be taking, you’ll find it hard to motivate yourself to do well in those classes. Even if it is challenging do the major you are really interested in, you will feel it was worthwhile learning what you genuinely like learning. I guess a happy medium would be to switch to a perceived easier major and still take the classes you like as electives.

 

[FalconSlice]

I echo the sentiments above: study what you're interested in and worry about doing well in that regard. If you're very worried about maintaining a high GPA for med school, switch to an easier major... but realize what you're giving up in the process (e.g. freedom to study your interests, explore your true hobbies/passion, try to challenge yourself, etc.). By the way, you're paying for your education, so you're free to do whatever you want since no one is putting a gun to your head... "it's all advice, that's all it is... do whatever the %$#@ you wanna do!!!"

(props to those who know where the quote is from)

 

[Jungkookie]

just seconding what everyone else has said. Major in whatever interests you and you're passionate about that you can do well in. When you're passionate about something, that makes it easier to excel and put in the effort. As long as you got the prereqs and the GPA, your major won't make a huge impact!

 

[deleted966164]

What if you don’t get into medical school?

 

[Seihai]

I'm of the opinion that you'll naturally do well if you major in something you're actually interested in, but n=1.

 

[EdgeTrimmer]

Switch to easier major provided you have some interest. My son debated choosing between BME at JHU (known for grade deflation) vs biochem at another school which offered full tuiton scholarship and went with biochem and thriving. However he had interest in both.