Cardinal880804

Like the title says, is it wise to major in, say, history or other humanities or social science while taking pre-med courses for med school requirements? I really want to study history as an undergrad, but I am also aiming for a good med school. Is it too much to major in totally different field from medicine and take pre-med courses at the same time, time-wise? Also Is it disadventageous to major in other fields than biology or organic chemistry if you are thinking of gaining admissions into a med school?

cherrycoke102

for your second question, i've heard that medical schools actually may look favorably upon students who've majored in subjects other than the sciences, granted that your gpa and numbers are excellent, they're all about bringing diverse and passionate people to their med schools, so you can major in practically anything.

Doogie311

ya dude, it may be too much....but do it!

I am doing the same thing, except im majoring in finance and accounting, and taking pre-med as my electives.

What you ultimately want is a high GPA, both overall, and pre-med. If you dont enjoy biology, then chances are you wont have a high GPA majoring in something you dont really enjoy.

Ive read numerous articles saying medical schools are looking for diversity. Ive also heard this from many admissions boards at medical schools. Definatly major in something you enjoy, it will make pre-med less stressful.

Medical schools will not reject you based on your undergrad major. They may reject you based on your GPA/MCAT/EC's, but not your major. However, if one were to choose to major in a "pre med science" such as chem, physics, bio, then ive read it may decrease your chances. The reason for this is because the majority of pre-med applicants do major in a science. This puts you in a position where you have to prove you are better then these applicants. You have to show how you are different, and what sets you apart. With a different major, this may become easier for you to do.

The only problem i foresee for you is that it is definatly possible that during an interview for medical school, they may ask you how your major will help you as a doctor. Or something like, why did you choose to pursue this major if you are interested in pre med. You have alot of time to consider this though

ndhawk

I'd say its fine, you should choose your major based on what you're passionate about. Just make sure you have killer extracurriculars because you wont have a chance to do any scientific research which is one of the main ones that med schools like to see.

Vperricone

Im doing computer Engineering and Pre-med.

feenotype

premed is not a major. It's a year of bio, genchem, organic, physics, and math. Distribution requirements will probably means you'll have to take two of those science courses anyway, and you'll have a bunch of elective time otherwise. It shouldn't be that big of impedement to you

Doogie311

i wouldnt necessarily say med schools like to see science research. Most medical doctors dont do any research.

What med schools would prefer to see though are extracurriculars such as hospital volunteering, doctor shadowing, things that show you have developed your communication skills and show that you want to become a doctor because of a passion for medicine.

I read a book saying a good job for pre-med students is a plebotomist, who are the people who draw blood. Also, a deiner, which is a job in the autopsy department. Each are about a week of training and will offer great experiences for pre-med students.

I wouldnt worry about science research opportunities. Many people arent too interested in what is researched anyway. I guess if you are passionate about a certain field, then jump right in. But it takes ALOT of time and patience, both of which may be running thin as a pre-med.

Elleneast

My daughter is a pre-med with a non-science major. At Columbia it is a heavy load because of the added demands of the Core Curriculum. The Core courses are excellent but they eat up alot of time. In spite of the load my daughter is very happy there and has been supported in her choices by the pre-med advisor.

FWIW, all of the pre-meds (science majors or not) that I know at Columbia have done some sort of research, shadowing or medically related work during their summers....part time or full time. Some of them continue this work during the school year.

Doogie311

i think what they mean by science research is laboratory work with specific experiments concerning very specific topics of interest.

A friend of mine whos interested in pre-med does lab work with mice and brain tissue, she says its boring.

I do EMS, i looove it! I think its more medical then lab work too.

gemstar66

as long as you can handle the workload of majoring in both of those areas, and are able to keep up a good gpa, it should be fine.

medical schools will love the fact that you majored in something non-science related too; it will set you apart from other applicants that did the usual bio/chem/physics majors.

Cardinal880804

im Asian-American (Korean) male btw. does that make a difference? I know that not many asian male major in history or humanities to begin with, so will that allow my profile to stand out in the med school admissions (as opposed to Asian, male, engineering major, which seems to be the majority)?

Cardinal880804

maybe.....? i dunno......being asian sucks for any type of admissions process

uvajack

" wouldnt necessarily say med schools like to see science research."

I completely 110% DISAGREE.

Doogie311

u misunderstood, i meant its not the say all end all thing to have on your app.

It cant hurt you if you dont have it.

Sry for any misunderstandings