undergrad major?

[mdphdhopeful]

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I was initially going to be a biology major, but since I'm doing neuroscience research I decided to switch to a major under the psyc department. My PI said that people wouldn't respect that choice for a major for md/phd. (for md only its a different story he said.) He said that generally people think its an easy major. What do you guys think?

 

[javert]

You're not going to be accepted or rejected based solely on your major. You should choose a major based on what interests you the most and, if you think you know what you want to do after undergrad, then also on what you think will give you good preparation for post-college life. Don't choose it based on what you think others will think.

At almost every school I've interviewed at, I've been asked at least once "What made you decide to major in ____?" I have a feeling that "I actually wanted to major in Psychology, but I chose Biology because my PI said I wouldn't get any respect from MD/PHD Committies otherwise" would not be a good answer.

 

[b&ierstiefel]

You're not going to be accepted or rejected based solely on your major. You should choose a major based on what interests you the most and, if you think you know what you want to do after undergrad, then also on what you think will give you good preparation for post-college life. Don't choose it based on what you think others will think.

At almost every school I've interviewed at, I've been asked at least once "What made you decide to major in ____?" I have a feeling that "I actually wanted to major in Psychology, but I chose Biology because my PI said I wouldn't get any respect from MD/PHD Committies otherwise" would not be a good answer.

Totally agree with the above.

BTW, if anybody used THAT answer to justify their selection of majoring in Biology openly during an interview, he/she should be smacked. I think some people shoot themselves in the foot during interviews because they are TOO honest.

 

[xanthines]

Ha ha! I was a history major and still got in. Unless your PI is on the admissions committee, I would take his/her assesments of other people's thoughts with a grain of salt!

-X

He said that generally people think its an easy major. What do you guys think?

 

[b&ierstiefel]

hey xanthines (aka TJ pimpdaddy), where have you gotten accepted so far?

 

[xanthines]

Rosalind Franklin U. Sure it's on probation, but it seems to be on the up and up. Besides, Chicago is cool.

-X

hey xanthines (aka TJ pimpdaddy), where have you gotten accepted so far?

 

[b&ierstiefel]

Rosalind Franklin U. Sure it's on probation, but it seems to be on the up and up. Besides, Chicago is cool.

-X

congrats! you're gonna be a mudphud!

 

[mdphdhopeful]

Totally agree with the above.

BTW, if anybody used THAT answer to justify their selection of majoring in Biology openly during an interview, he/she should be smacked. I think some people shoot themselves in the foot during interviews because they are TOO honest.

I'm not saying that I would tell the interviewers that. I just don't want people to pick up my application and get a negative first impression by looking at the major.

 

[b&ierstiefel]

I'm not saying that I would tell the interviewers that. I just don't want people to pick up my application and get a negative first impression by looking at the major.

I said the above somewhat sarcastically. Sorry if it seemed like I came across like a jackass.

Seriously though, don't worry about your major selection. Your major is just one line on your CV. The main thing committees will look at are your coursework, MCATs, and research experience.

 

[Mimidoc^2]

I was initially going to be a biology major, but since I'm doing neuroscience research I decided to switch to a major under the psyc department. My PI said that people wouldn't respect that choice for a major for md/phd. (for md only its a different story he said.) He said that generally people think its an easy major. What do you guys think?

I was a psychology undergrad at a small liberal arts college. My first research experience was summer after sophomore yr and I didn't begin science coursework until fall of junior year. I applied to only 10 md/phd programs (all MSTP and most very competitive) and I received interview invites at emory, vanderbilt, and the medical university of south carolina. The point is, majoring in psychology apparently didn't harm my application package. Please choose a major because you enjoy it, and concentrate on being an excellent scholar in that area. 👍