Triple Major Anyone?

[jeremmed77]

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My liberal ed requirements got fullfilled while I was still in high school, so now I am going right into my major (Biological Anthropology) at age 19. Although this degree is studying the evolution of humans, it does not require any physics, chemistry, organic chemistry, genetics, or even evolution classes. I find this lack of rigor disturbing since I assume you need to know these things in order to study evolution fully.

Since I have to take pre-med courses such as chem 1 &2, Phys 1&2, org 1 &2 anyway, I looked into a degree in Biology and a degree called ecology, evolution, and behavior (Long name). My advisor told me that the medical school I want to get into recommends taking statistics, genetics, biochemistry, and cell biology. Since the Biology and Ecology/Evolution/Behavior degree requires these anyways, I decided I would like to pursue all three of these majors. The Biology and Ecology/Evolution/Behavior degree are extremely similar and only have about 16 credits that are different.

I will have plenty of free time since I will not have to take more than 16 credits per semester(Remember I have already taken 60 credits).Will medical school look down upon a triple major (assuming my gpa doesn't get harmed)?. The Anthropology and the Ecology/Evolution/Behavior degree are very similar since they related to evolution and animal behavior(Primatology). Did anyone on here get a triple major? Any input on this would be great. Thanks.

 

[Negrodamus]

Why would you try a triple major? No one cares how many anthropology classes you've taken. Just finish your degree with enough credits to both graduate on time and keep your BCPM GPA up.

 

[Iapyx]

Usually you can only let one class cross over for two majors. If more than one class overlaps in pair of majors, you can't double major in them. I recommend you check on this.

 

[bad virus]

My liberal ed requirements got fullfilled while I was still in high school, so now I am going right into my major (Biological Anthropology) at age 19. Although this degree is studying the evolution of humans, it does not require any physics, chemistry, organic chemistry, genetics, or even evolution classes. I find this lack of rigor disturbing since I assume you need to know these things in order to study evolution fully.

Since I have to take pre-med courses such as chem 1 &2, Phys 1&2, org 1 &2 anyway, I looked into a degree in Biology and a degree called ecology, evolution, and behavior (Long name). My advisor told me that the medical school I want to get into recommends taking statistics, genetics, biochemistry, and cell biology. Since the Biology and Ecology/Evolution/Behavior degree requires these anyways, I decided I would like to pursue all three of these majors. The Biology and Ecology/Evolution/Behavior degree are extremely similar and only have about 16 credits that are different.

I will have plenty of free time since I will not have to take more than 16 credits per semester(Remember I have already taken 60 credits).Will medical school look down upon a triple major (assuming my gpa doesn't get harmed)?. The Anthropology and the Ecology/Evolution/Behavior degree are very similar since they related to evolution and animal behavior(Primatology). Did anyone on here get a triple major? Any input on this would be great. Thanks.

Wow good job man. If you think you would enjoy doing a triple major and it won't hurt you in terms of grades, then more power to you. As to will medical schools look down upon it? They have no reason to. Just make sure you don't skimp on any of the other good stuff like volunteer work and research/shadowing etc . . . With 16 creds a semester, I don't see that as a problem for you.

 

[jeremmed77]

Usually you can only let one class cross over for two majors. If more than one class overlaps in pair of majors, you can't double major in them. I recommend you check on this.

I was worried about this too, but they said most people do it the same way I do. Just to be safe, I am definitely going to get a second opinion on this before I do anything.

 

[jeremmed77]

Why would you try a triple major? No one cares how many anthropology classes you've taken. Just finish your degree with enough credits to both graduate on time and keep your BCPM GPA up.

I would love to take the classes within those majors anyway, but I know it could take a dent out of my gpa. Your reasoning is the only reason I am second guessing getting a second major. I could just take the bare minimum science prerequisites with the Anthropology degree and get a really, really high gpa.

 

[Negrodamus]

I could just take the bare minimum science prerequisites with the Anthropology degree and get a really, really high gpa.

Why not do that? You can always study these subjects on your own free time.

 

[jeremmed77]

Why not do that? You can always study these subjects on your own free time.

Your probably right. If my final goal is to go into medicine anyways, why risk my high gpa for that. Thanks for the advice.

 

[Nymphicus]

👍

Your probably right. If my final goal is to go into medicine anyways, why risk my high gpa for that. Thanks for the advice.

 

[Carbon inc]

As an economics major, I picked up bio as a second major after completing my pre-reqs since I figured it was only a few more classes so...what the hell? I might as well...

If I could do it over, I would not have picked up a bio major. It lowered my gpa slightly and required me to stay an extra semester to finish up all of my courses. It just wasn't worth it and you really don't gain anything for it. Med schools will not be impressed by poly-majoring. I would say just complete whatever majors you're on now and if you're really itching to take some of those extra courses, you can always just enroll in one or two without majoring in the subject.

 

[phnerd1105]

Don't take on all that added stress. Do the anth degree, your pre reqs and whatever science classes you want to take. Use that extra time to do ECs and research. That will matter more for apps.

 

[Political]

You know, OP, suicide is never an option

 

[deleted357625]

Your probably right. If my final goal is to go into medicine anyways, why risk my high gpa for that. Thanks for the advice.

mhm better safe than sorry

 

[schrizto]

Those three majors have too much overlap. It's more impressive to have two majors that aren't very similar but even then it won't help you that much in terms of getting into medical school.

 

[slatermd]

Your reasoning is the only reason I am second guessing getting a second major.

Methinks a writing class would be good.


Just joking, but seriously. I had a butt-wad of AP credits going into college. Looking back, I still should have taken some English classes. The world needs more physician journalists, IMO.

Priority #1: Protect your GPA

 

[WorldChanger36]

Don't do that!!! Just finish your degree and apply to med school. Never ever and to your plate when you don't have to.

 

[jeremmed77]

Methinks a writing class would be good.


Just joking, but seriously. I had a butt-wad of AP credits going into college. Looking back, I still should have taken some English classes. The world needs more physician journalists, IMO.

Priority #1: Protect your GPA

Lol, a writing class would definitely help! Thanks for the advice everyone. I am going to keep my gpa up and do the Anthropology major. I still think a lot of the courses mentioned in the two majors would help me in medical school (Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Genetics, etc...). Anyway, thanks again for the help.

 

[raltima07]

It would be cool to talk about, if GPA stays same

 

[Naijaba]

I had three majors (Computer Science & Engineering, Mathematics and Biology). I did it because I was interested in all three subjects. Here's my take on what happened:

1. Top research schools interviewed me (harvard, stanford, yale, etc.) because of my three majors
2. Top, mid, and low-tier schools rejected me for a low gpa

Frankly, I think that the lower tier schools didn't have the time to screen applicants individually and were completely unaware that I had three majors.

My advice is to do it if it is personally important to you, but don't let it affect your grades.

 

[afugazzi]

Also 3 majors (physics, math, and french). Took them because I liked them all. The majors helped in two ways: 1) physics looks scary to adcoms and 2) physics and french are a weird combo. I don't think the number 3 was special in any way. Take what interests you; I would not expect 3 very related majors to look much more special than 1.

 

[raltima07]

Also 3 majors (physics, math, and french). Took them because I liked them all. The majors helped in two ways: 1) physics looks scary to adcoms and 2) physics and french are a weird combo. I don't think the number 3 was special in any way. Take what interests you; I would not expect 3 very related majors to look much more special than 1.

Physics is scary!

 

[jeremmed77]

I would not expect 3 very related majors to look much more special than 1.

I agree with you here. I was originally just going to take the EEB major, but then I found out all I needed was one more class for the Biology degree. I just feel like Anthropology doesn't expect you to know any of the sciences (No chemistry, math, Biology, or Physics is required). Since I took/am taking all of these anyway, I was looking into other options. Anyway, thanks for all of the input.

 

[Gunneria]

ur OVER 9000!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Salient]

Why not just sign up for the extra classes you want instead of taking on entire majors?

A triple major (provided you still do well) will look good on an application,
but it won't set you apart as much as something truly unique will. If you want to multi-major, do it in something relatively unrelated like religious studies or philosophy (that you also find interesting) and then just sign up for the evolution and pre-req classes that you also need. That'll still be less than a TRIPLE major, and will make you more well-rounded than three majors with large areas of overlap.

 

[Lil Mick]

I triple majored (bio, chem, psych, with my concentration area in philosophy). I enjoyed all of them, and many committees saw it as interesting. Just keep your grades up and make sure you have time for other activities (volunteering, clubs, whatever makes you tick)...

 

[lord_jeebus]

I triple majored in three completely unrelated fields, out of interest. (Biology, Psychology, Japanese Literature).

I don't think adcoms cared. Having now been on an adcom, I can say we didn't care if someone had 3 majors.

Now that I know the importance of playing the game, I would recommend majoring in the easiest field you are interested in, and use the time that you save by not doing 2 more majors to pursue publishable research.

 

[MCAT guy]

Good advice:

Don't do a triple or quadruple major.

Instead:

Pick a fun/interesting major and get perfect grades. Get a girlfriend. Party. Find interesting hobbies (ski / rock climb / play an instrument / learn a language / start a business / etc).



You can either be a super academic or be a rounded person (better).