Still undecided on major :(

[ssandedoc]

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Ummm so this is another post by me. I know a lot of folks have been kind to give me insight, but I'm still at loss on what to do for a major.

I know I can major in anything and be accepted to medical/DO school. However, why do a lot of the colleges for undergrad always recommend the usual Biology or Chemistry degrees for undergrad degree?

This is my problem. Do I take a leap of faith, major in Sociology, retake Organic I (Judy from examkrackers.com recommended this because I will have almost a whole year between Org I & II and plus Org I was at a comm. college), do Org II, Physics II (this one will be like a year after Physics I, is this bad?), take another Biology course, and get my BA in Sociology and "maybe" minor in Biology.

Or do I major in Biology, get all the pre-reqs needed for DO and med schools and PA school if needed, and minor in Sociology?

I guess in a way I'm asking for people to decide for me, which I don't want. I'm just at such a cross roads in my life, literally from college to personally. I really want to make the "Right" decision if that's possible. I just don't know guys. I have so many different people telling me to do this or that its so darn frustrating. Either way, whatever I choose I can't please everyone. I'm really trying to please myself but I just don't know what to do.

Because in med school I will have a lot of science classes. I can handle science classes, but usually I make B's in them. I think I'm capable of an A, its just that the pressure and stress makes me not want to do the work. So now its making me question if I should attempt med school. I have a reason, a desire, and a true drive to help others. I want to go on missions and treat others. I want to be able to help others when they can't afford it. In general, I enjoy and love helping others. I know there are other professions that a person can help in. But I still feel like this is my calling. I guess now I'm trying to figure out if my desire can help build the confidence necessary to do whatever it takes to run this race.

Any thoughts?

 

[OSUdoc08]

Ummm so this is another post by me. I know a lot of folks have been kind to give me insight, but I'm still at loss on what to do for a major.

I know I can major in anything and be accepted to medical/DO school. However, why do a lot of the colleges for undergrad always recommend the usual Biology or Chemistry degrees for undergrad degree?

This is my problem. Do I take a leap of faith, major in Sociology, retake Organic I (Judy from examkrackers.com recommended this because I will have almost a whole year between Org I & II and plus Org I was at a comm. college), do Org II, Physics II (this one will be like a year after Physics I, is this bad?), take another Biology course, and get my BA in Sociology and "maybe" minor in Biology.

Or do I major in Biology, get all the pre-reqs needed for DO and med schools and PA school if needed, and minor in Sociology?

I guess in a way I'm asking for people to decide for me, which I don't want. I'm just at such a cross roads in my life, literally from college to personally. I really want to make the "Right" decision if that's possible. I just don't know guys. I have so many different people telling me to do this or that its so darn frustrating. Either way, whatever I choose I can't please everyone. I'm really trying to please myself but I just don't know what to do.

Because in med school I will have a lot of science classes. I can handle science classes, but usually I make B's in them. I think I'm capable of an A, its just that the pressure and stress makes me not want to do the work. So now its making me question if I should attempt med school. I have a reason, a desire, and a true drive to help others. I want to go on missions and treat others. I want to be able to help others when they can't afford it. In general, I enjoy and love helping others. I know there are other professions that a person can help in. But I still feel like this is my calling. I guess now I'm trying to figure out if my desire can help build the confidence necessary to do whatever it takes to run this race.

Any thoughts?

Don't major in science unless you want to.

People in my class have degrees in religion, english, anthropology, aviation, french, education, and others, and are doing well.....

 

[ssandedoc]

Wow, OSUDoc, you always respond to my posts. I think you would be tired of me now. I think this makes me feel better, about being a non science major and being in med school. This still is going to take a lot more faith. I go to OU this Friday to enroll for summer and fall. However, I think I'm going to USAO in the fall.

Decisions, decisions, decisions...

 

[shane679]

Ummm so this is another post by me. I know a lot of folks have been kind to give me insight, but I'm still at loss on what to do for a major.

I know I can major in anything and be accepted to medical/DO school. However, why do a lot of the colleges for undergrad always recommend the usual Biology or Chemistry degrees for undergrad degree?

This is my problem. Do I take a leap of faith, major in Sociology, retake Organic I (Judy from examkrackers.com recommended this because I will have almost a whole year between Org I & II and plus Org I was at a comm. college), do Org II, Physics II (this one will be like a year after Physics I, is this bad?), take another Biology course, and get my BA in Sociology and "maybe" minor in Biology.

Or do I major in Biology, get all the pre-reqs needed for DO and med schools and PA school if needed, and minor in Sociology?

I guess in a way I'm asking for people to decide for me, which I don't want. I'm just at such a cross roads in my life, literally from college to personally. I really want to make the "Right" decision if that's possible. I just don't know guys. I have so many different people telling me to do this or that its so darn frustrating. Either way, whatever I choose I can't please everyone. I'm really trying to please myself but I just don't know what to do.

Because in med school I will have a lot of science classes. I can handle science classes, but usually I make B's in them. I think I'm capable of an A, its just that the pressure and stress makes me not want to do the work. So now its making me question if I should attempt med school. I have a reason, a desire, and a true drive to help others. I want to go on missions and treat others. I want to be able to help others when they can't afford it. In general, I enjoy and love helping others. I know there are other professions that a person can help in. But I still feel like this is my calling. I guess now I'm trying to figure out if my desire can help build the confidence necessary to do whatever it takes to run this race.

Any thoughts?

I think that you should choose something that is of interest to you. It seems that you have an interest in social science, so go for it. The required pre-medical courses are what are necessary. It would be a bad idea, in my opinion, to major in a biology/chemistry and not do well because of "the pressure and stress makes me not want to do the work." Major in something that is enjoyable to you, and nail your pre-medical course work. Hope this helps.

csh

p.s. Keep your head up. If a physician is what you want to be; then a physician you shall be. 🙂

 

[ssandedoc]

Thanks Shane... you know I've been looking at USAO and anyways to make a long story short I'm thinking of maybe doing a History major. I enjoy history and at times love it. And maybe for my independent study courses I could incorporate sociological ideals. And on the sides pick up the rest of my premed reqs and few helpful sci courses like physio. This seems like a relaxing ideal. And also maybe take the Socio courses I want!

 

[smc927]

This semester I complete my degree: B.A. in Letters, Arts & Sciences- Liberal Studies Option. No minor. Just took the core med school requirements.

One of the med schools I interviewed at commented on my degree in a positive way. I've heard from them and other sources that they are interested in students with diverse interests and educations.

You can always email a school you are interested in and ask if they've ever accepted a sociology major.

I think in a few years when you are actually in medical school you'll look back and realize you worried way to much about this.

Major in what you will enjoy. I'm glad I did. For the next four years I won't get any of the culture and literature courses I've been enjoying as an undergrad.

Good luck!

 

[stayinginphilly]

This semester I complete my degree: B.A. in Letters, Arts & Sciences- Liberal Studies Option. No minor. Just took the core med school requirements.

One of the med schools I interviewed at commented on my degree in a positive way. I've heard from them and other sources that they are interested in students with diverse interests and educations.

You can always email a school you are interested in and ask if they've ever accepted a sociology major.

I think in a few years when you are actually in medical school you'll look back and realize you worried way to much about this.

Major in what you will enjoy. I'm glad I did. For the next four years I won't get any of the culture and literature courses I've been enjoying as an undergrad.

Good luck!

I could not agree more with this post. I am currently completing my undergrad with a Sociology major and Biology minor. I agree with smc927 that you should major in what you want. I have really enjoyed my undergrad classes, which I would never have had the opportunity to take if I had majored in Science. Also, at my interviews, many adcoms were very interested in my social science degree and how I have used it thus far towards my medical school goals. I will start at PCOM in the fall and they in particular loved my non-science major. I encourage everyone to major in what they want (science or non-science) to ensure a great undergrad experience.

 

[Dr JPH]

Major in something that you will enjoy for 4 years...few reasons:

#1 You never know where you will end up. Plans change.
#2 You need to enjoy college. Can be the best years of your life if you are having fun.
#3 You will do better in classes that interest you.
#4 It will be difficult to explain to medical school admissions that you decided to be a chemistry major because you "love" acid/base reactions.
#5 You're spending enough money for college, might as well piss off the parents by picking a major that seems to have no point.

If I had to do it all over again I think I would have majored in Art History. Sounds so much better than "ummm...I was a bio major."

 

[Kazema]

I was a cognitive science major and love every course I took for that major. Enjoying your classes tends to help your motivation to do well in said classes.

Really all you need to do is do well in the premed science classes and you're fine.

 

[kaikai128]

Major in what interests you most...that is all that matters.

If I had to do it all over again, I know I wouldn't be a biology major. I just did it because that is what all the cool pre-med gunners were doing. Most of the courses at my University had a large plant component which I didn't enjoy at all. If I had to do it over again, I have no clue what I would major in...but I can promise you that it wouldn't be biology. 🙂

 

[ssandedoc]

Just to update everyone check this post:


I found my major!!!


Thanks again for all the help,
Scott