SkyGirl

I am planning to enter pre-med. My love is research in the medical field. I had been set on majoring in biochem or neuroscience for ages, but the thing is for financial reasons, I am choosing a college that doesn't offer either of these courses. So I have three options.
I need everyone's opinion:

a) I major in Chemistry or biology. I probably choose Chemistry. It is a solid course. I have no worries.

b) I double major in chem and bio. But for this to happen, is it possible to finish double major in chem/bio in 4 years?

c) I try to construct an Independent major with emphasis in biochem. My college has the option of constructing independent majors but first of all they have to approve it when I go there. But this is a crazy idea, and probably I am digging myself into a big fat hole since I already need to concentrate on being a "good" and "dedicated" pre-med.

So what you all think? I will be working on campus already minimum 10 hours/week. Is either (b) or (c) look good for me?

GoldShadow

http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/pre-med-topics/

Check out the premed FAQ while you're there.



Also, it makes no difference what you major in; double majors don't make any difference either. Major in something you like and do well in it.

SkyGirl

Yeah, Goldshadow I am aware of the fact that it doesn't matter what we choose to major in undergrad for pre-med. You are totally right.
But my focus is not only pre-med. I so want to go into research one day and my focus is also molecular biology related. I know I am sounding kinda naive perhaps since I have no idea what option b or c might entail, and it is possible tht I will overwork myself as a pre-med and screw up my GPA with option b or c.
My most prominent worry is the independent major. Is it advisable for a pre-med to take on this risk. Do pre-meds take on Independent majors with science focus successfully? You know Independent major have no previous structure, so that is one of the most risky part.

Or just should I follow the usual path and go with option a? Follow my heart with b or c or follow pragmatics and go with a?

b@r!um

At my college the bio major would give you the option to take a lot of your electives in chemistry (I think up to three chemistry electives beyond organic), and you could elect to do a chemistry major with a concentration in biochemistry (though there is no biochemistry major).

My best advice for right now: don't plan that far ahead. You would probably want to take bio, chemistry and math in your first year and that would allow you to pursue either path down the road.

burgler09

I would say just go with one major, I'd personally choose chemistry because I like chem better than bio. Don't go through the hassle of constructing your own major and whatnot because truthfully, it really just doesn't matter that much. Whether you want to go to med school or do a doctorate program in a bio or chem field it doesn't matter, just make sure you get good grades and finish the prereqs needed.

OKgirl

Are you planning on getting a degree before med school? If not then it really doesn't matter what your major is. If you are going to get a degree first, you could always do a major in chemistry and a minor in biology (or the other way around).

burgler09

minors really aren't a big factor when applying to med school. Just major in chem (or a bio related degree) and take the other prereqs you need. Don't worry about picking a major and minor.

student14x

More than 1/2 of all students applying to med-school are rejected each year. Its wise to have a practical major to fall back on.

SkyGirl

Thanks guys for the input. OKgirl, yes I am planning on getting a degree first.

I am kind of out of it on not getting to major in wht I wanted, so I thought maybe I can make it work for me with option b or c. I am still confused and I realize doing an independent major in biochem is way too much hassle for a pre-med.
But I also want to go into research in addition to med school, and so I wanted to major in sth tht seems relevant to my interest, molecular biology.

Student14x, you are right, and if med school doesn't work out, I will go straight into research and postgrad. Well, that is my plan at least.

Is it difficult to double major in bio and chem in 4 years and also meet the pre-med req?

burgler09

chem and biology are perhaps some of the most practical majors you can choose. Skygirl, I find it fairly useless to double major, especially for what you want to do. It won't really give you much of a benefit, and I think it would definitely be hard finishing in 4 years if you plan on doing undergrad research or have a job or much of a social life. You don't have to major in one or the other to go into that type of grad school.

SkyGirl

I do want to get involved in undergrad research a lot. The downside of bio/chem double major is also tht it is not exactly molecular bio/biochem concentration as well just by taking 2 majors.

b@r!um

Why don't you just pick one major, say chemistry, and just add a few bio classes - those that are of interest to you? You would get all the benefits of the bio classes but not the hassle of having to complete the requirements for two majors.

GoldShadow

I'm going to second barium and burgler's last two posts.

Chedva

You are "planning to enter" pre-med. You're not even in college yet. You don't need to choose a major yet, much less a double major. If you start out by taking the courses necessary to be a pre-med you will be well on your way to satisfying the major requirements for several majors.

Go to your college's pre-med counseling office for more assistance once you get on campus.

Don't stress over something you don't need to stress over yet.

SkyGirl

I am absolutely 100% sure in doing pre-med. It is just I was so used to thinking I will be studying neuroscience or biochem when I enter college, and when suddenly those options are not available to me, I got very confused and feeling down. I only have limited options available to me i.e. either bio or chem major, but I know myself, I need tht major tht makes me tick, tht pushes my buttons.
I dunno, I am kind of feeling down about this. For me, I perceive my major beyond just something I am doing for pre-med. So I feel it is very important.