What to pick?

[Ardorius]

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Hello to all,
First of all, let me assure you I have used the search function, but I cannot find the information that is pertinent to me.

I've been in a situation lately where I have been wondering whether or not to major in Psychology. I'm fully aware that psychology, as well as any other hard science (bio, etc.) do not mean much, and will often require graduate school. Psych has fascinated me in high school, and continues to do so in college. Do adcoms realize that this is an easier major and will make it harder for a premed majoring in psych to get accepted? I realize the major consensus on SDN is to pick what you enjoy, but I'd like to know that what I enjoy will not undermine my goal of getting into an MD medical school. Of course, I will take all the prerequisites and probably a couple more biology classes (eco & evo, physiology, microbiology, etc.). This will most likely land me a minor in biology. Another way to prove to adcoms that hard science does in fact matter to me, I partook, and continue to do so to this day in biological research. I plan to do this a couple years (and am even hoping for a pub, but nothing is for sure).

what do you guys think, is it safe to major in psych and minor in bio? This will give me more time to focus on more ECs and allow me to create a better candidate for myself. However, if my choice of major in any way shape or form makes me look unappealing to the majority of med schools, i will drop psych major and complete a BS in biology.

edit: I was actually browsing around the forum and it seems that many psychology majors are not granted a spot in medical school. Is that my impression? It seems to me they seem to be insecure of their major. Am I just looking at skewed patterns or potentially weaker candidates (thus the major in psych, 'easier') I do not mean to offend anybody with my last sentence, it is just something I observed. In fact, I hope I'm proven to be wrong, and brought to my senses.

thanks for all your advice and information
cheers

 

[Bollywood Junkie]

you can get in with any major as long as your numbers are up. If you like psych, go for it. I would recommend taking upper level biology, though, if it will help you.

 

[nlax30]

edit: I was actually browsing around the forum and it seems that many psychology majors are not granted a spot in medical school. Is that my impression? It seems to me they seem to be insecure of their major. Am I just looking at skewed patterns or potentially weaker candidates (thus the major in psych, 'easier') I do not mean to offend anybody with my last sentence, it is just something I observed. In fact, I hope I'm proven to be wrong, and brought to my senses.

Way too many factors to blame any outcome on one of them, just not possible.

If you are interested and want to do psych then do it, simple as that. Whatever you do choose just do well in it and you shouldn't have a problem.

I enjoyed my pysch major and at my school it was a very flexible degree which allowed me to do more in the neuro/bio side of psych as opposed to the clinical side.

 

[TexasPhysician]

psychology is VERY interesting. I would major in it if I did it all over again.

 

[niranjan162]

If i could go back i would also major in psychology

 

[tdittyx2x3]

I think if I would have gone back, I would have done mine in music rather than psychology - just lost interest after awhile and music would have been more valuable to me. Bottom line, do well in your major, do well in your pre-reqs and you're free to study whatever you like.

 

[Ardorius]

For you guys that picked or wished they picked Psych, what are some of the reasons you went into this field? Did you know you were going to be pre-med at the same time? Were there ever doubts as to whether to major in psych, a social science or a hard science? Do you think a hard science would prepare one for the MCAT better? Do you believe that psych, being the 'easier' major would have ultimately given you a rougher time in medical school because one would not be accustomed to the rigors of it?

I aopologize for the plethora of questions, but they are rather representative of my thought processes, and are a major influence as to whether I go ahead and say thumbs up, or continue to stick with my Bio major.

Thanks a lot to all! Your information is highly appreciated, as always. 👍

 

[TexasPhysician]

I don't think any pre-med major will prepare you for the MCAT better. You take the same pre-reqs for the MCAT no matter what major you are in. Med school is tough, but I honestly think there were only 2 courses I took in undergrad that helped in med school. Genetics and Gen Cell Bio. Both of which you could take as electives. Neither are really necessary to take before med school either.

Because med schools want you to have the highest gpa possible, I would choose the field that is easiest for YOU.

 

[tdittyx2x3]

what are some of the reasons you went into this field?

Inherently interesting, some clinical application, relatively easy major

In the end I lost interest, didn't see as much clinical application as I would have liked, and the "easy" part came back to haunt me.

Did you know you were going to be pre-med at the same time?

Not until my junior year when I basically put my major on cruise control and worked to do well in the pre-reqs.

Were there ever doubts as to whether to major in psych, a social science or a hard science?

By the time I realized I would prefer a hard science, it was too late. Not that my plan wasn't decent. I did the bare minimum, had an amazing college experience, and got into med school.

Do you think a hard science would prepare one for the MCAT better?

Possibly, but marginally at best.. nothing a truckload of studying can't fix. Unwise way to choose a major anyway.

Do you believe that psych, being the 'easier' major would have ultimately given you a rougher time in medical school because one would not be accustomed to the rigors of it?

We'll find out in August now won't we. Listen don't let medical school affect this decision. If you do well in whatever you choose and jump through the other 99 hoops, you can get into school regardless of your major.