Which major requires not much writing?

[jessicamed]

Sorry this is a stupid question, but I was wondering which major do you guys think doesn't require lots of writing. For example, essays. I am not a big fan of writing so i am hoping to major in something that is interesting, but doesn't require me to write 5-10 pages all the time. Sociology, Political Science, Economics? Thanks

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[Uegis]

Any science major won't require a lot of writing. Maybe not economics, but I only took 3 or 4 of those classes.

 

[internet]

music, fine arts, math

 

[virilep]

engineering. I only took one actual english course. and a history writing course to fulfill my pre-med req. and thas the only things i wrote... but i mean, we had lab courses in engineering but it was technical writing. a different ballgame.

 

[jessicamed]

Thanks guys. Hmm engineering? No way, I am not good at math 🙄 Tahnks for the suggestion tho. I guess most of the humanities type of major requires lots of writing huh? I like science, but ppl been telling me to major in something different. What do you actually study if you major in music? Do you have to know how to play an instrument or anything? I always wonder that.

 

[Kazema]

Generally you have to audition to make it into a music program. So yeah, you have to know how to play an instrument and be pretty good at it too 😉.

 

[fever5]

I did a major in computer science and a minor in zoology. Computer science usually doesn't involve too much math as compared to engineering. It is more practical. Programming assignments can be brutal (but somehow fun).

Zoology on the other hand can have some really nasty labs as you progress, but courses like physiology and histology will be of benefit in med.

 

[JimmyMallo]

I think anything science related could be tailored to your needs. As for being different, I think it's overrated. It might help if your numbers are iffy but if you work hard and good well on the MCAT any degree will get you in.

 

[abcxyz0123]

history

 

[doctorkojo]

I chose economics, since I, too, did not care much for the level of writing demanded by humanities. If you are not proficient in math up to calculus, however, then economics might pose some minor difficulties. Otherwise, it's a perfect discipline for those who like to apply scientific analysis to problems of immediate social concern. I feel that econ has given me the background to speak with some authority on healthcare issues; and such preparation has come in handy on the interview trail (What's the biggest problem facing healthcare today? Why? How would you fix it? Well, that's easy -- it's misaligned price signals!).

It is certainly a unique major among pre-meds, and its applicability to healthcare has been, in my experience, an asset to my application. There are so many approaches you can take with economics, from econometric/empirical observations to pure theoretics. Take an intro econ class and see how you like it. At the least, it will equip you to be a more engaged citizen, someone in tune with the Washington policy debates (like SS) that will prove to be among the most important of our time!

 

[dopaminophile]

english comp... no writing there.

 

[jessicamed]

I'm sorry, what is english comp? Is it a regular English major?

 

[PhotoMD]

I'm sorry, what is english comp? Is it a regular English major?

Are you sure college is right for you?

 

[vhawk]

Are you sure college is right for you?

Well, since the most disturbing thing about the average college grad is their complete inability to use written communication and to understand and quickly summarize documents, I would hope that NO degree is without some legitimate writing component. That being said, not so sure about picking science. At least at my school, we write about one 7-10 page lab report a week, which, while certainly different from essay writing, can be grueling for someone who dont write good. Comp. Sci sounds much better.

 

[Code Brown]

I chose economics, since I, too, did not care much for the level of writing demanded by humanities. If you are not proficient in math up to calculus, however, then economics might pose some minor difficulties. Otherwise, it's a perfect discipline for those who like to apply scientific analysis to problems of immediate social concern. I feel that econ has given me the background to speak with some authority on healthcare issues; and such preparation has come in handy on the interview trail (What's the biggest problem facing healthcare today? Why? How would you fix it? Well, that's easy -- it's misaligned price signals!).

It is certainly a unique major among pre-meds, and its applicability to healthcare has been, in my experience, an asset to my application. There are so many approaches you can take with economics, from econometric/empirical observations to pure theoretics. Take an intro econ class and see how you like it. At the least, it will equip you to be a more engaged citizen, someone in tune with the Washington policy debates (like SS) that will prove to be among the most important of our time!

I would definitely agree with you on the economics degree. At my school, this has to be one of the least writing intensive majors available. However, you need to remember is that it will require some decent understanding of math and being comfortable with it (including calculus, but only the basic stuff, no need to worry about sin/cos/tan and all that trig stuff). Also, keep in mind that because of this lack of having a big writing requirement, your grade is often based on how you score on 2 or 3 tests over the whole semester so the margin of error is often lower (i.e. if you bomb a test, there is really no way to make it up). However, if you "get it", it's fairly straightforward and easy to do well in. If you want to see if you will like it, take an in intro to MICRO economics since this will be more indicative of what it will be like. Taking an intro to MACRO economics isn't always the best idea, as it is not indicative of what the rest of your major will be like. This is the case because you will end up taking 2-3 MACRO type courses but around 8-9 MICRO type courses over the course of your major.

To the OP, I am taking 6 econ classes this semester and none of them require a paper. This is despite the fact that my school mandates that EVERY class include a 10 page paper. They always find ways around it.

 

[melimi]

i would def not suggest biology if ur thinking about a science major that doesnt involve a lot of writing. i wrote ~300 pages in lab reports.
i guess its more objective writing, but its writing nontheless

 

[wanderso]

music, fine arts, math

You suggested music. Are you out of your mind? I have done a bachelors and a masters in music. I have undoubtably written over 2000 pages of work over the course of these two degrees. In undergrad alone I had six semesters of music history which required 150 pages of writing each semester. You add theory courses such as form and analysis and you break the 1000 page mark. So, no, don't be a music major if you want to avoid writing. Also, you can't just be a music major. Almost any program of any quality will require you to be accepted not only to the university, but also to the school of music. This requires specialized auditions in theory, aural skills, piano and the major area of the applicants skill, as well as the academic background to get into the University.

 

[45408]

Well, since the most disturbing thing about the average college grad is their complete inability to use written communication and to understand and quickly summarize documents, I would hope that NO degree is without some legitimate writing component. That being said, not so sure about picking science. At least at my school, we write about one 7-10 page lab report a week, which, while certainly different from essay writing, can be grueling for someone who dont write good. Comp. Sci sounds much better.

7-10 page lab report? typed?? Sucks to be you. 😛

 

[KonHndrkx]

ahhh the good ol' music days...I was a jazz studies major, and while the amount of writing I had to do was not nearly as much as wanderso did, there was a pretty good amount of papers I needed to turn in.....add that on top of the 4-6 hrs of practice a day 👍


....but you might want to get used to writing, it's a skill you'll probably need in any profession you get yourself into. (not that I've gotten much better at it...)


As to which major doesn't have much writing.....I guess we've established science majors right now as the concensus. Lab reports do take forever, though....physics barely had any essay-style writing at all in my case, was this true for anyone else?

 

[myodana]

I am not a big fan of writing so i am hoping to major in something that is interesting, but doesn't require me to write 5-10 pages all the time. Sociology, Political Science, Economics? Thanks

any social science or humanities major is going to require writing. obviously don't major in english - but most courses in sociology, religion, politics, etc, are going to require analysis papers. and music and art history? forget it. long theory-based papers abound in those kinds of majors...

math and science (bio, chem, environmental science) courses are probably your best bet, where often you'll just be writing up lab reports (which, depending on the course, can average well over 5 pages, at least), and your tests might be more multiple choice and short answer based than essay (though i did have all essay tests in my animal physiology class). in short, you're not going to get out of college without at least doing some writing. and you SHOULD learn how to write - since it's a skill you're going to NEED! (if only to write a good personal statement, letter of interest, letter to the editor, or whatever.)

have fun! and don't major in anything you don't like, because it's far harder to write 2 pages on something that bores you than it is to write 10 pages on something you find fascinating. remember this.

(btw, i was a double in biology and dance with a minor in chemistry)

 

[myodana]

ahhh the good ol' music days...I was a jazz studies major, and while the amount of writing I had to do was not nearly as much as wanderso did, there was a pretty good amount of papers I needed to turn in.....add that on top of the 4-6 hrs of practice a day 👍

cool, where? and what's your instrument? my brother was a jazz performance (piano) major at northwestern.

 

[KonHndrkx]

guitar major jazz studies performance track at University of North Texas. Good times!

 

[jessicamed]

Thanks for all your opinions. It's not that I don't know how to write, it's just that I'm not very confident in my writing. English is my second languange, therefore, it's hard sometimes but I don't want to blame it on this. Anyway, I am trying to narrow down majors and was just wondering which major doesn't requires much writing. I was looking into Anthropology and Sociology, but I heard ppl said that Anthro is an intensive writing major. As for Sociology I have no idea, but since it's under liberal arts, I figure this major probably requires lots of writing too. Can someone tell me about it? I have taken an intro socio class and liked it very much, but there was not writing what so ever so I have no idea. Anyway, thanks for replying, i really appreciate it. 🙂

 

[OSUdoc08]

Sorry this is a stupid question, but I was wondering which major do you guys think doesn't require lots of writing. For example, essays. I am not a big fan of writing so i am hoping to major in something that is interesting, but doesn't require me to write 5-10 pages all the time. Sociology, Political Science, Economics? Thanks

-Lots of writing in poli sci


-very little writing in sociology

 

[sockandmittens]

psychology is pretty good for that. with the exception of my senior thesis...

 

[frycek]

Jessicamed, I'm going to go out on a limb here and advise that the best thing you could do for yourself would be to have classes in which you'll have to write. Written communication, and all the mental skills that go with it (especially the skill of "getting to the point" and eliminating "fluff") are essential in most or all professions - yes, even the hard science ones - and definitely in medicine. That's why 1/4 on the MCAT is writing. I do appreciate your concern about having to write "too much", especially if English isn't your first language. But... why choose a major based on what you fear? Do the major that interests you the most, something that you connect with, and then take on all the challenges that come with it. You'll grow the most, learn the most - why go through life limited by fears?

All the best to you as you ponder this.