What is the disadvantage(s) and advantage(s) of non-science majors?

[hle007]

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What are your opinions and suggestions on that? If you are struggling with the science courses in your first year of college, which caused you a x.xx GPA. Should you switch major? Like... pick something that would benifit your GPA? (You really really want to bring up your GPA, because that's ideal... isn't it? BUT, that is not what you really what to get out of your undergraduate education...)

I sort of know what I should do, but I just want to hear what you guys would say to this question too. After all, you guys are the runners ahead, please share your insights. Thanks.

 

[UseUrHeadFred]

The best way to benefit your GPA would be to major in something you're really interested in, even if it's something really weird. That will also make it much easier to interview later on - when they ask "why did you major in xxx", you can just tell them why you find it interesting with *real* enthusiasm. Some would say having a unique background gives an advantage, but even if you love something as plain vanilla as Biology, do it.

The only other piece of advice I can give is to make sure you find the most effective study habit *for you* and stick to it. Don't play around with stuff that isn't THE ABSOLUTE BEST for you. That should automatically boost your GPA a few points - with the added advantage of giving you study habits that will be vital for the MCAT and, ultimately, medical school.

No matter what you major in the MCAT is the ultimate equilibrator. Things like your academic major and minors are way, way back in the pack somewhere as far as importance goes. You'll need to know the required science material one way or the other.

 

[b-real]

Well, in the scheme of med school admissions, science GPA matters more than overall GPA, so you gotta do well in those science classes. IF you are unhappy with your major, then definitely consider changing it to something YOU enjoy. Don't change to non-science just because you think med schools would like it.

 

[hle007]

Although my GPA is suffering drastically due to the low grades I've earned from my science courses, I am still ambevilant about switching major... I think I know what I want to gain from this major and thus, I am closing the doors to other majors out there. I know it's stupid not to try to boost up my GPA because the first thing the med school looks at are your GPA, MCATs...

We all have our own ways of constructing their path... I guess. Although med school is where I wanted to end up at, but, there will always the but about myself... what I want. I don't like the idea of feeding the med school admission committee what they want vs. trying to achieve what I want...


Am I thinking silly and stupid? I sound like I am going against the wind force while everyone is going in the same direction with the wind.

 

[Fusion]

I don't like the idea of feeding the med school admission committee what they want vs. trying to achieve what I want...

You need to strike a balance between what you want and what you think med schools are looking for. The absolute most important thing is your GPA (sci GPA particularly). You are correct to some extent in not wanting to give med schools what you may *think* they want. Don't try to impress med schools with a hard major or take certain classes because you think that they are more rigorous and will impress them. They won't be impressed. All they care about is your GPA. I doubt med schools have the time to go through each applicant's transcript a class at a time. Study something you enjoy and can make good grades in. Yeah, an engineering or physics major may be given a little slack in this regard, but generally not.

 

[constructor]

major in english, comm, anthro, music, psych, history, soc, poli sci or something easy like that and your gpa will hit the skies in no time... just make sure to get over a 3.5 in the science classes. majoring in something you're interested in can actually hurt you (it did to me) because while you might be good at something and very interested in it, it could still be very difficult to get those A's (and sometimes even B's) depending on what you study.

 

[Fed Meat]

major in english, comm, anthro, music, psych, history, soc, poli sci or something easy like that and your gpa will hit the skies in no time... just make sure to get over a 3.5 in the science classes. majoring in something you're interested in can actually hurt you (it did to me) because while you might be good at something and very interested in it, it could still be very difficult to get those A's (and sometimes even B's) depending on what you study.

It depends on your school, too. The average gpa of bio majors actually higher than the average gpa of English majors at my school.