Which degree is more useful?

[NP545]

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I'm planning to apply to MD schools and was unsure about a Exercise Science or Psychology major. I have equal interest in both, but not sure which to choose. If by any chance I back out of med at the last second which degree would be more useful? Also, which of the two would prepare me better for med school/MCAT?

 

[Boolean]

Psychology you aren't going to have many job prospects without graduate school. Exercise science you may be able to find a job, but it won't likely pay too much.

Neither would really prepare you for med school / MCAT. Studying and pre-reqs accomplish that. Perhaps exercise science will have some material covered in the MCAT, but in that same thought, so would psychology.

 

[MaybeDr]

Pick exercise science despite the comment above you will probably get quite a bit of human phys which can be pretty helpful for the MCAT on some passages. I know I had 2 full passages.

 

[WillburCobb]

Psychology you aren't going to have many job prospects without graduate school.

This. I was a psych major, the degree is near worthless without grad school. Luckily I like it enough that I would have no issue in going to grad school for it instead of med school. Also, if you're thinking about psych to go the clinical psych route be aware that, that is MUCH more competitive than med school. But you should really pick whichever one in which you're more interested

 

[Boolean]

Psychology you aren't going to have many job prospects without graduate school. Exercise science you may be able to find a job, but it won't likely pay too much.

Neither would really prepare you for med school / MCAT. Studying and pre-reqs accomplish that. Perhaps exercise science will have some material covered in the MCAT, but in that same thought, so would psychology.

Pick exercise science despite the comment above you will probably get quite a bit of human phys which can be pretty helpful for the MCAT on some passages. I know I had 2 full passages.

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

Both degrees will go into the toilet. Psychology and biology are generally worthless without a graduate degree.

 

[chocolatethunder]

Both of those UG degrees are pretty useless. Would need to go to grad. school for decent job prospects if you don't go to med school. If you're set on med school, neither will prepare you for it.

Just choose something you can do well in. Either because you enjoy it or because the course load seems manageable.

 

[deleted407021]

This. I was a psych major, the degree is near worthless without grad school. Luckily I like it enough that I would have no issue in going to grad school for it instead of med school. Also, if you're thinking about psych to go the clinical psych route be aware that, that is MUCH more competitive than med school. But you should really pick whichever one in which you're more interested

The Psy D program at my school has a mean accepted GPA of 3.87. Lots of other tough requirements, too. Definitely not a "wtf, no med school let's do something else" alternative.

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

The Psy D program at my school has a mean accepted GPA of 3.87. Lots of other tough requirements, too. Definitely not a "wtf, no med school let's do something else" alternative.

That's your school. There are a lot of programs that take anyone. This is thanks to argosy and the other diploma mills, and yes, you can find a job after if you do well. It's like a Psychology Caribbean. There's always a way to get a Masters first and have that GPA count in your application instead of undergrad for some schools.

 

[NoDakDok]

Pick a degree based on your capabilities and interests, not because they will give you a particular advantage for medical school. Everyone comes into medical school with a varying undergrad experience, so that's not an issue. Medical schools also do not favor certain majors over others.

Alternative job prospects are pretty limited in both Psychology and Exercise Science undergraduate degrees. The former generally requires further education and the latter has career fields, but not generally high paying ones.

The Psy D program at my school has a mean accepted GPA of 3.87. Lots of other tough requirements, too. Definitely not a "wtf, no med school let's do something else" alternative.

Mean accepted GPA is a terrible way to judge the competitiveness of an application process.

 

[Frostbite22]

I think if you are going for either degree you have to work exceptionally hard and have outstanding work experience to fall back on-at least for a job straight out of undergrad. I am an animal science degree which is normally pretty useless since I have zero farm experience, but was offered a handful of jobs when I graduated college. I ended up doing a clinical lab science program because of the pay range. However, I talked to HR at a few of these places and they said they had hundreds of unqualified applicants. Mostly good grades with zero lab or other work experience. So I guess what I am saying is if you want a fall back I would go after internships and experiences to put you ahead in that sort of game. I think those sorts of internships are hard to obtain when you graduate. Its hard to do both though, maintain a great GPA for med school, and outstanding internships. But it can be done.

However, I really don't know about those degrees and what prospects they hold, so you can take my advice with a grain of salt.

 

[WillburCobb]

That's your school. There are a lot of programs that take anyone. This is thanks to argosy and the other diploma mills, and yes, you can find a job after if you do well.

Its actually pretty tough to land a residency coming out of these schools. Based on data from ~4 years ago roughly 75% of grads were landing residencies from these programs and the number is expected to continue to go down. PhD programs and PsyD programs that are associated with "respectable" universities are SUBSTANTIALLY harder to get into (near flawless grades, tons of research coming out of undergrad, excellent GRE scores, etc.). Grads from these programs have a near 100% success rate with residency placement.

 

[deleted407021]

Pick a degree based on your capabilities and interests, not because they will give you a particular advantage for medical school. Everyone comes into medical school with a varying undergrad experience, so that's not an issue. Medical schools also do not favor certain majors over others.

Alternative job prospects are pretty limited in both Psychology and Exercise Science undergraduate degrees. The former generally requires further education and the latter has career fields, but not generally high paying ones.



Mean accepted GPA is a terrible way to judge the competitiveness of an application process.

I wasn't judging competitiveness so much as recognizing the standard they set. They don't even consider anything below a 3.7.

 

[NP545]

Psychology is the higher GPA obviously (estimating 3.9 sGPA; 3.85 Cumulative) but Exercise science involves more science classes like anatomy, physiology which may be somewhat helpful in med school. Could probably pull of a 3.8 sGPA and 3.8 cumulative GPA with EXS. Both are not good with just a bachelor's, but from what I'm reading above, it's somewhat mixed responses. The EXS one has an internship senior year where I could make a couple extra bucks but with the Psychology major, I MUST minor in something like Biology or Chemistry in my school (only a couple extra classes).

Any final thoughts/recommendations? lol

 

[WillburCobb]

Exercise science involves more science classes like anatomy, physiology which may be somewhat helpful in med school.

These will have low, if any, yield, in regards to helping in med school. Also, you can take them in addition to major required courses if you want. My vote still goes for what you're most interested in as it will be easier to do better in coursework (kinda biased towards psych though😉).

 

[nabilesmail]

Most say Undergrad psych classes are SUPER easy, easy GPA to get for those grad schools. And I sincerely doubt that psy.d. programs are more difficult to get into than medical school. #1 I doubt thats the average GPA amongst all programs, #2 Med School GPA incldues classes like Ochem, Physics etc, that are wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy harder than psych undergrad classes, #3 GRE is a joke compared to the MCAT

 

[WillburCobb]

Most say Undergrad psych classes are SUPER easy, easy GPA to get for those grad schools. And I sincerely doubt that psy.d. programs are more difficult to get into than medical school. #1 I doubt thats the average GPA amongst all programs, #2 Med School GPA incldues classes like Ochem, Physics etc, that are wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy harder than psych undergrad classes, #3 GRE is a joke compared to the MCAT

This = wrong on pretty much every point.

 

[NP545]

Alright so final choices:
1) Psychology Major with Biology, Chemistry minors
2) Exercise Science Major (credit intensive so no minor needed)

Equal interest in both majors. Again (for the last time haha) which would prove to be better off for me regarding stress levels, GPA, med school chances, non-med school jobs, (and satisfaction)?

 

[nabilesmail]

This = wrong on pretty much every point.

Like what ? Two of my best friends were psych majors at good schools, UCSD and UCSB, and I went to USC,
The one at ucsd is premed and going to med school, she switched to psych because of gpa issues (psych classes are easier ), she also ended up loving the subject. My other friend will be attending USC for grad school.

Look at the material tested on the GRE, it's a joke, it's pretty universal that the MCAT is the hardest admissions test. Look at the average amount of time someone spends studying for the GRE vs MCAT, not to mention, once again, the material tested on each exam.

Also, you can't possibly think that psych classes on average are harder than ochem, physics, calculus, chemistry, biochem, molecular bio etc


Haha I remember one time during Kings CUp, my psych friend put categories up "majors harder than psych ", which we expected to go on forever, but the next person said "sociology ", and we were all in shock cause the psych peepz like to make fun of the sociology peeps hahagood times, and that is one of two majors we consider easier (the other is comms )


Also: Remember, many Psy.D. Ph.D. programs take into account graduate GPA, which is SUPER inflated. Seriously, some people consider it terrible to have <3.7 in a grad program

 

[dyspareunia]

I'm planning to apply to MD schools and was unsure about a Exercise Science or Psychology major. I have equal interest in both, but not sure which to choose. If by any chance I back out of med at the last second which degree would be more useful? Also, which of the two would prepare me better for med school/MCAT?

When I saw the thread title I was really hoping the OP would read "MD or DO?". Oh well.

Exercise science would probably be more useful. Psychology is about as useful as art history, US history.. anything history.

 

[WillburCobb]

Like what ? Two of my best friends were psych majors at good schools, UCSD and UCSB, and I went to USC,
The one at ucsd is premed and going to med school, she switched to psych because of gpa issues (psych classes are easier ), she also ended up loving the subject. My other friend will be attending USC for grad school.

Look at the material tested on the GRE, it's a joke, it's pretty universal that the MCAT is the hardest admissions test. Look at the average amount of time someone spends studying for the GRE vs MCAT, not to mention, once again, the material tested on each exam.

Also, you can't possibly think that psych classes on average are harder than ochem, physics, calculus, chemistry, biochem, molecular bio etc

While yes many psych classes are fairly easy, I took at least 4 that I had to put far more effort into than Ochem, Biochem,physics, etc. to earn decent grades. Also, I've taken the MCAT, the GRE, and the psych GRE - I beg to differ.

Edit - I also put in the same amount of time/effort studying for GRE as I did the MCAT.

 

[nabilesmail]

And how did you do %wise on GRE compare to your % on the MCAT. (relatively the same etc?)

Also, pretty much anyone takes the GRE ( just like the LSAT) so the student population taking it isn't very strong. For the MCAT, most pre-meds were weeded out ebfore they get to that point. Generally, only the ones successful in the courses get there.

By the way, I don't mean to say that getting a 3.8 in Psych isn't an accomplishment, it certainly is. I would just be careful when comapring average GPA of Psych grad programs (which also include master's GPAs) to Med school GPA's.

 

[WillburCobb]

And how did you do %wise on GRE compare to your % on the MCAT. (relatively the same etc?)

Also, pretty much anyone takes the GRE ( just like the LSAT) so the student population taking it isn't very strong. For the MCAT, most pre-meds were weeded out ebfore they get to that point. Generally, only the ones successful in the courses get there.

By the way, I don't mean to say that getting a 3.8 in Psych isn't an accomplishment, it certainly is. I would just be careful when comapring average GPA of Psych grad programs (which also include master's GPAs) to Med school GPA's.

MCAT - 87%-tile
GRE - 70-75%-tile (can't remember the exact number)

Your second paragraph is very flawed.

I realize the GPA issue is somewhat like comparing apples to oranges and never said otherwise. However many schools will auto reject at higher number (both GPA and GRE) than med schools. For clinical psych research is a must, and pubs and presentations are often expected. Also, one of the biggest factors that affects competition is number of applicants/number of available spots...

Edit - I forgot to address this about one of your previous posts. The vast majority of people going into clinical psych programs are coming straight out of undergrad, so no, you don't get the benefit of grad GPA padding. I.e., most PhD programs, for psych and pert near every other field, have an MS/MA built into them.

 

[D4C]

Alright so final choices:
1) Psychology Major with Biology, Chemistry minors
2) Exercise Science Major (credit intensive so no minor needed)

Equal interest in both majors. Again (for the last time haha) which would prove to be better off for me regarding stress levels, GPA, med school chances, non-med school jobs, (and satisfaction)?

If they want you to take Pchem, ditch the chem minor. You will not regret it.

 

[deleted577188]

While yes many psych classes are fairly easy, I took at least 4 that I had to put far more effort into than Ochem, Biochem,physics, etc. to earn decent grades. Also, I've taken the MCAT, the GRE, and the psych GRE - I beg to differ.

Edit - I also put in the same amount of time/effort studying for GRE as I did the MCAT.

I honestly think you're being absurd and just saying these things to disprove a point that most people would agree with him/her on.

 

[WillburCobb]

I honestly think you're being absurd and just saying these things to disprove a point that most people would agree with him/her on.

 

[WillburCobb]

I honestly think you're being absurd and just saying these things to disprove a point that most people would agree with him/her on.

And yes I am trying to disprove a point that some people would agree with him/her on, because it's incorrect.

 

[deleted407021]

I honestly think you're being absurd and just saying these things to disprove a point that most people would agree with him/her on.

Coming to @WillburCobb 's defense, it seems that @nabilesmail and yourself are trying to prove that one profession is more challenging to enter than another. Why should it matter to you? He has provided some evidence, numbers. You've provided conjecture.

 

[deleted577188]

His opinion and the numbers conflict. Opinions only matter when numbers and stats aren't involved.

 

[WillburCobb]

His opinion and the numbers conflict

???????

 

[deleted407021]

His opinion and the numbers conflict. Opinions only matter when numbers and stats aren't involved.

Nice way of justifying your failure to support your argument. Making up new rules for intelligent discourse. We may no longer support opinions with numbers!

 

[deleted577188]

Nice way of justifying your failure to support your argument. Making up new rules for intelligent discourse. We may no longer support opinions with numbers!

Bottom line is this: you're tryna make the psych/PsyD track as competitive as any other major/MD. Based off numbers alone (NO opinion), med is harder. Period.

 

[deleted407021]

Bottom line is this: you're tryna make the psych/PsyD track as competitive as any other major/MD. Based off numbers alone (NO opinion), med is harder. Period.

I'm not trying make anything out to be more competitive than anything else. That's your argument. Why do you care?

@NP545 If you keep it up, that MD/DO degree with definitely be the most useful. 😉

 

[WillburCobb]

Bottom line is this: you're tryna make the psych/PsyD track as competitive as any other major/MD. Based off numbers alone (NO opinion), med is harder. Period.

#because it is #cognitive dissonance

 

[WillburCobb]

@NP545 I truly apologize for the de-rail. Psych or or Exercise Science? My opinion is abundantly clear.