Take it easy vs double major vs masters?

[BeastfromthEast]

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I'm currently a sophomore and I am ahead in my biology classes. I only have 4 biology classes left to take (besides research for credit), physics 2, and biochem and I'll pretty much be set for my major. The thing is that my last two years will be very light because I can spread out these classes. So I was thinking about:

1. Taking it easy. With an easier courseload, I can really focus on extracurriculars and research since I'll have a lot of time on my hands. This can help my app out a lot. The only problem is, well, won't it look bad on my app if my courseload is too easy?

2. Getting another major. I was thinking about picking up a major in criminal justice since it's pretty interesting and I can take more than one at a time because a lot of the classes' prereq is the intro class. It'll help me stand out (hopefully) in the application process and I won't be the 40000th bio major applying lol. Not really any cons as far as I know, just that I won't have as much time to focus on EC's as in option 1.

3. I can get a masters in biology by the time I graduate. I overlaps a lot with the molecular bio degree, so all I have to do is take some seminars and do more research. The problem is, I really don't want to do research for the rest of my summers in undergrad... 🙁 (that's the only way it'll fit it). Plus, I don't find research very interesting lol,,,

So what would you do in my situation? Which would be the best for my admissions? Would you take it easy?

 

[theseeker4]

I'm currently a sophomore and I am ahead in my biology classes. I only have 4 biology classes left to take (besides research for credit), physics 2, and biochem and I'll pretty much be set for my major. The thing is that my last two years will be very light because I can spread out these classes. So I was thinking about:

1. Taking it easy. With an easier courseload, I can really focus on extracurriculars and research since I'll have a lot of time on my hands. This can help my app out a lot. The only problem is, well, won't it look bad on my app if my courseload is too easy?

2. Getting another major. I was thinking about picking up a major in criminal justice since it's pretty interesting and I can take more than one at a time because a lot of the classes' prereq is the intro class. It'll help me stand out (hopefully) in the application process and I won't be the 40000th bio major applying lol. Not really any cons as far as I know, just that I won't have as much time to focus on EC's as in option 1.

3. I can get a masters in biology by the time I graduate. I overlaps a lot with the molecular bio degree, so all I have to do is take some seminars and do more research. The problem is, I really don't want to do research for the rest of my summers in undergrad... 🙁 (that's the only way it'll fit it). Plus, I don't find research very interesting lol,,,

So what would you do in my situation? Which would be the best for my admissions? Would you take it easy?

Take it easy. Your grades will get your noticed a lot more than a second major. Take additional random classes for fun if you are worried about too light a course load, or if you are interested in the classes (of course). If you don't want to do research, don't do it (unless you have your sights set on a top research med school, in which case, you should probably start liking research). Fill up your time with EC's and get 4.0's, and your app will be very strong even if you are "just another bio major" in the stack of applications. Also, leave yourself plenty of time for MCAT studying.

 

[Black Knight]

Take it easy. Your grades will get your noticed a lot more than a second major. Take additional random classes for fun if you are worried about too light a course load, or if you are interested in the classes (of course). If you don't want to do research, don't do it (unless you have your sights set on a top research med school, in which case, you should probably start liking research). Fill up your time with EC's and get 4.0's, and your app will be very strong even if you are "just another bio major" in the stack of applications. Also, leave yourself plenty of time for MCAT studying.

I second this. Don't worry about getting a second major. Worry about taking classes that are both interesting to you and that you'll do well in. If that happens to give you a second major or a minor, then so be it. As far as I can tell, adcoms have a really hard time of judging the difficulty of courseloads.

If you don't like research, find another way to show adcoms that you're a "life-long learner"

 

[sliceofbread136]

Option 1 100%. Try to get some really standout ECs.

 

[gettheleadout]

Adding a second major to stand out is futile to nearly worthless, and from what you've said it sounds like you have little interest in actually obtaining or learning from education for a Master's. In your position I would go with Option 1 hands down.

 

[BeastfromthEast]

I second this. Don't worry about getting a second major. Worry about taking classes that are both interesting to you and that you'll do well in. If that happens to give you a second major or a minor, then so be it. As far as I can tell, adcoms have a really hard time of judging the difficulty of courseloads.

If you don't like research, find another way to show adcoms that you're a "life-long learner"

Haha yeah research isn't exactly the most thrilling thing to me, but I'm going to keep at it.

Hmm, I was actually hoping people would choose option 1... yay!

Anyone else?

 

[Nymphicus]

Easy peasy lemon squeezie.

 

[nuance]

I was in a situation very similar to yours and, although option 1 is probably the most logical choice, I decided to get a minor. Most of the time minors are pointless (especially if they are similar to your major), but I minored in Disability Studies and I actually think this helped me a lot when applying to med schools. One of my interviewers said that I was the first applicant he'd ever met that was involved in disability studies (he's been at the school for 40 years...) and it's what made me stand out to him. Also, the classes I took through my minor really impacted my views on society and health care. And, FWIW, I still had a lot of time to focus on ECs (some minors only require ~5 or 6 classes).

So, perhaps consider minoring in a social science or humanities related field. This option could be considered #1.5 because it really doesn't take up that much time.

 

[jbrharris84]

I can't really picture a scenario in which having a double major or masters at the sacrifice of grades would be a better shot for med school. Of course... if you can get the DM/Masters without sacrificing your grades, then by all means!

 

[BeastfromthEast]

I don't think my grades would be affected too much if at all if I got a double major. The problem is that I'll have less time to do ECs which is pretty much the weakness of my application right now.

 

[notreallysure]

When I was a freshman, I too had AP credits that would allow me to take it "easy." I decided to double major in Chemistry and Biology, do a Spanish minor, and complete a research program which adds 2 credits per semester for 4 years. I am now rounding out my application cycle and there is not a day that goes by that I DON'T regret this decision. My GPA was still high, at 3.85, but it def suffered because of my 19 credit course loads. and the worse part, schools don't seem to care. I had ONE interviewer actually mention my obnoxious course load in a positive way, and I was actually placed on hold at that school before receiving my interview. and though i got in places that I am happy with, i can almost guarantee that it has nothing to do with my second major, which turned out to cause more harm than good.

sorry I just had to rant a little, but long story short, OPTION 1 is the way to go, period. get the 4.0, do a bunch of interesting unique ECs, and enjoy your youth!

i will, however, put in a quick plug for minors. My spanish minor did play a large role in my admissions process, so maybe pick up a quick 9-12 credit minor that is unique and compliments your interest!

best of luck! 🙂

 

[theseeker4]

I don't think my grades would be affected too much if at all if I got a double major. The problem is that I'll have less time to do ECs which is pretty much the weakness of my application right now.

...Why are you asking this question if doing anything other than option 1 would prevent you from improving the part of your application most in need of improvement?

 

[BeastfromthEast]

Well because I thought it would look bad if I took an easy courseload and because im wondering whether the benefits of masters/ double major outweighs benefits of more ecs

 

[raltima07]

I took the double major route; I don't think it made much different, but I would love when we went around introducing ourselves at the beginning of interview days and everyone would be "Major, Bio" or "Major, Chem" and then I would go saying "Major History.....and bio." Bam - almost every admissions director/dean commented about this.

 

[sliceofbread136]

I took the double major route; I don't think it made much different, but I would love when we went around introducing ourselves at the beginning of interview days and everyone would be "Major, Bio" or "Major, Chem" and then I would go saying "Major History.....and bio." Bam - almost every admissions director/dean commented about this.

Now you know even more information that you'll never use and will forget in a year or two! bam!

 

[StoicJosher]

Well because I thought it would look bad if I took an easy courseload and because im wondering whether the benefits of masters/ double major outweighs benefits of more ecs

No it doesn't.

 

[raltima07]

Now you know even more information that you'll never use and will forget in a year or two! bam!

Never assume. In your post you assumed that I learned something in my history major, which I did not. So I can't forget what I never learned. Bam!

I Kid, I kid. It was pointliess, but I kept up my GPA so it didn't hurt

 

[ChartaBona]

Save yourself some money and graduate a semester early if it's an option.

 

[xXIDaShizIXx]

Take it easy. Your grades will get your noticed a lot more than a second major. Take additional random classes for fun if you are worried about too light a course load, or if you are interested in the classes (of course). If you don't want to do research, don't do it (unless you have your sights set on a top research med school, in which case, you should probably start liking research). Fill up your time with EC's and get 4.0's, and your app will be very strong even if you are "just another bio major" in the stack of applications. Also, leave yourself plenty of time for MCAT studying.

I second this. Don't worry about getting a second major. Worry about taking classes that are both interesting to you and that you'll do well in. If that happens to give you a second major or a minor, then so be it. As far as I can tell, adcoms have a really hard time of judging the difficulty of courseloads.

If you don't like research, find another way to show adcoms that you're a "life-long learner"

Option 1 100%. Try to get some really standout ECs.

Adding a second major to stand out is futile to nearly worthless, and from what you've said it sounds like you have little interest in actually obtaining or learning from education for a Master's. In your position I would go with Option 1 hands down.

Easy peasy lemon squeezie.

Well I think your question is answered, but I second the easy option. 😀