what should my major be??

[jessicalynn]

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I am interested in persuing the M.D./Ph.D program in psychiatry at NYU after I complete my undergraduate studies at another college. (I am now a senior in high school) I have two questions: What undergraduate major will prepare me for that program? (should i doudle major in psychology and biology?) and
What do the admissions people look for/at when reviewing applications for this program? any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Newquagmire]

i walked into several years of college not knowing md/phd programs even existed. you young-ins are so... talented these days.

i think it's safe to say: major in what you enjoy. they will want to see that you are excited about whatever it is that you do.

 

[jessicalynn]

🙂 thanks! anybody else have an opinion?

 

[smuwillobrien]

Okay, well I know no one likes the cliche advice I'm about to give, but please use it: "Take it one day at a time". Priorities change over time, and the late teens and early twenties are a time where you will fluctuate constantly about what you do and don't want to do.

Take something that will leave options open (including a back up plan). I'd say take general biology, general chemistry, and either calculus or physics your first year. Take as many arts electives as you can (they are a major stress reliever).

I was a high school "hot shot" like you, I got to University, and I hated it. I went to school for two months, withdrew from everything, and took the rest of the year off before reapplying. I reapplied, got back into school, took biology/chemistry/physics/calculus/english both semesters and I've got a 4.18/4.00 gpa now.

Don't put unneeded pressure on yourself. Go through your first year, and see what happens. If you have the marks start planning for actually getting into a M.D., but the first year is really a litmus test to see if you like the sciences enough to compete and do well in them.

Good luck, be a 18/19 year old for a while, and don't stress out too much.

 

[coldchemist]

Jessica--

Don't double major! It's simply not necessary, and it will make it difficult for you to maintain a competitive GPA (especially if one major is a science). If I were you, I would major in psychology (or another interesting, but not too difficult discipline) and get your pre-med requirements out of the way quickly. Get to know your science professors really well early on (in freshman or sophomore year), and try to get involved in their research ASAP. The type of research won't really matter as far as MSTP admissions is concerned, so pick a lab that you think is interesting.

Like the others have said, it is perfectly natural to change your mind a million times regarding your career goals. Don't resist the desire to explore other options! It will only frustrate and limit you.

CC

 

[AWhitehair]

I couldn't agree more with the previous two posters. I have changed my major two times and I will be a Junior in the fall. College can be very stressful, especially if you have other responsibilities, like family. I have thought many times about forgetting about being a doctor and just settle with being a nurse, but I know in the end I would regret it. Don't rush into college setting yourself up with a heavy load, it will only discourage you if you don't make that GPA you were use to in highschool. I know many of my fellow pre-med classmates who have done this and when they didn't make an outstanding GPA there first semester or two, they threw in the towel. My advice to you is take it one day at a time. I have always been the kind of person that tends to sit down and try to plan out my whole life, but that only leads to dissapointment when something doesn't go as planned.
Good Luck!