Will I look less credible...

[Desperate]

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As many of you know I have been very ambivalent about resuming my premed studies. I've decided to add on my premed classes and lengthen my MA to 3 years. I'm going to stay a business student, not going to gear it to health care admin or anything like that, just plain old business. The pragmatist in me needs a contingency plan in the likely event I don't get accepted to medical school. That contingency is entering the corporate world; I know it's not quite as glamorous, but it is still better than failing without a backup plan. I plan on volunteering in hospitals when I can. Will I look like a flake or someone who is not committed to premedical studies. I would certainly hope that the professional reviewing my application would not hold it against me for not putting all of my eggs in one basket.

 

[gatorfann14]

I did the exact same thing but ti was with my BA. I got a BA in econ because it was both interesting to me and something I knew would be useful in the event I did not get in anywhere. I only took the pre-reqs and said it was a backup to my interviewers when asked and all seemed to think that it was a good idea. As long as you come across as passionate about it and not purely doing it for a back-up then I would think that you are fine. I love econ and was able to talk about it and show them that it was a good thing.

 

[costales]

I don't see a huge difference between 2 years and 3 years as long as you have the requisite good grades and a good explanation for the extra time. Nowadays med schools couldn't care less about your degree major.

 

[SLC]

I'm going to stay a business student.

Good plan!

The pragmatist in me needs a contingency plan in the likely event I don't get accepted to medical school.

I wouldn't move forward assuming it's unlikely, those that believe they have what it takes are the ones who get in and succeed in medical school. Still, everyone should be as level headed as you, and having a contingency plan is a great strategy.

Will I look like a flake or someone who is not committed to premedical studies. I would certainly hope that the professional reviewing my application would not hold it against me for not putting all of my eggs in one basket.

You will not look like a flake, you'll look smart and mature. ADCOM's are actually looking for this, and I think it will honestly make you more attractive on a lot of levels.

First off, you won't be one of those generic Bio or Chem majors. Nothing against them, but there are millions of pre-meds who are Bio majors because it's the quickest path to completing the pre-requisites. When a committee member looks through 40 applications over a weekend, and 33 of them are virtually identical, which ones will stand out in his/her head on monday at the interview selection meeting? With you being a business major, you'll be one of them.

Second off, having a strong contingency plan shows that you are mature, and that you've thought things through, both qualities which are of vast importance in a competent Physician.

No, I think that as long as you have acceptable grades, you'll do a lot better than you are thinking you will. Keep at it, you're on the right track.

SLC

 

[scummie]

Good plan!
First off, you won't be one of those generic Bio or Chem majors. Nothing against them, but there are millions of pre-meds who are Bio majors because it's the quickest path to completing the pre-requisites. When a committee member looks through 40 applications over a weekend, and 33 of them are virtually identical, which ones will stand out in his/her head on monday at the interview selection meeting? With you being a business major, you'll be one of them.

No, I think that as long as you have acceptable grades, you'll do a lot better than you are thinking you will. Keep at it, you're on the right track.

SLC

Agreed. Gone are the days where you must be a science major. Stick with a major that you can get good grades in and the rest will follow.