<p>I’m currently a senior right now, and I’m trying to figure out with major should be the best path for me to Medical School. After extensive research (reading forum posts and articles lol), I understand that the general consensus is that I should major in something I’m interested in. However, I’ve reached a dilemma. My strengths pull towards Math and Science, but the subjects does not draw a strong interest from me. Literature/Humanities does draw passion, but I have a hard time writing my thoughts down on paper, something that is essential to this field. </p>
<p>So my question is: Should I major in a (Biochemistry or Mathematics), an area where I can achieve a high GPA easier (essential to getting into Med school), or major in Philosophy, a subject I’m really interested in and that will help me improve my English skills and help me become a better doctor. </p>
<p>Another motivation for majoring Philosophy is that I want to expand my skills sets. I want to become a well rounded doctor that can communicate and interact with patients and not a bland doctor that majored in Biology and can only talk about math and science. However, majors in math and science will have a high job prospect if I do not get into medical school.</p>
<p>Or perhaps I should minor? </p>
<p>Please give me some wisdom on which path I should take. Thank you for your time!</p>
<p>My “widsom” is to decide in 2+ years. Take some Intro philosophy classes. Take multivariate calc and linear algebra. And of course, take the standard premed prereqs. If you like/love philosophy, stick with it. If not, choose something else.</p>
<p>First of all, many students change their major within the first two years of college; that’s why college not only encourage taking a broad range of classes but also allow until your second semester sophomore year to declare a major.</p>
<p>And take these studies, like this one^^, with a grain of salt. They paint a very broad picture, but when it comes right down to how successful you’ll be in finding a job post-UG, remember it’s about one person: YOU. Favorable factors that make a difference include your motivation, your network of contacts, and where you live.</p>
<p>The general thinking is to choose something you love, but be mindful of where that could lead you and even whether you might need another degree (MD, MBA, etc) to optimize it.</p>
<p>“not a bland doctor that majored in Biology and can only talk about math and science.” - your major has nothing to do with how you communicate to others, topics of your conversations…etc. Actually, most people never ever have fun thru acaemic discssions, theyjust hve fun. So,have any major your hear desires and make sure t develop as a person during 4 years at college</p>
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<p>What skill set do you think philosophy conveys? </p>
<p>Being a philosophy major doesn’t automatically make you a well-rounded, interesting individual. (I’ve known a couple of philosophy majors who were/are dreadful bores droning on and on about white dead guys who no one but they care about.)</p>
<p>I also know any number of research scientists and physicians who can discuss sports, politics, art, environmental policy, music, history, literature, theater, the newest Harry Dresden novel, the Washington Post editorial page, the Lance Armstrong accusations, what’s hot on Broadway this season, the best hiking trails in the Grand Canyon …</p>
<p>There’s no law that says a bio major can only know about biology. (Or mathematician only know math. Or engineer can only know engineering.)
It’s up to you to become a well rounded individual no matter what your major is.</p>
<p>P.S. And no major will give conversational and social skills unless you work at learning them.</p>
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<p>And BB is right, except for math, a science major by itself doesn’t really improve your post-college employability all that much. Huge glut of bio and biochem majors out there.</p>
<p>In the end, I just want to do the minimum Pre-Req for Med School, and use the rest of my time growing, learning, meeting people, volunteering, etc. Philosophy will allow me to spend time learning about the world and different literature, issues, arts, people, etc. </p>
<p>However, I’m a naturally safe person, but I need to take risks to grow. I just don’t want to do anything overly optimistic and naive. Should I just be safe and take a math major and philosophy minor?</p>
<p>“I think; therefore, I am.” If you decide on philosophy, remember to not put Descartes before the horse. Because if we invoke Kant’s universality principle from his idea of the categorical imperative, then everyone would put their carts before the horse, which would make the world a place filled with carts before horses. That is, no one would ever get anywhere because the cart would always be in front of the horses, inhibiting the horse’s ability to pull the cart.</p>
<p>Lame attempts at humor aside, I think the advice above is spot on. On a practical level, I would add that you are known by the company you keep. I know some pre-meds that cannot shut it down, i.e. they constantly talk about pre-med stuff to the point where you think they might be neurotic. These are the SDN-type. If you ask about what they plan to do over the weekend, they usually answer with a laundry list of what they have to study. Contrast this with my core group of friends (about a good portion are pre-meds) who tend to spend time talking about the latest smartphones, football, study abroad plans, or winter/spring break trips.</p>
<p>I think you should major in something you enjoy because, in the end, it’s your life and doing everything because it’s a means to an end is joyless.</p>
<p>Since you’ve never taken a philosophy course, you can’t know that it’s something you’ll enjoy or be good at. (Technically I could say the same thing about math. ‘Real’ math starts once you’ve finished the calculus sequence. Everything else is just applying formulae.) Take a couple of lower level classes when you start college and get a feel for the field, then decide if you want to major in it.</p>
<p>Most colleges do not allow students to declare a major until sometime during the latter half of their sophomore year.</p>
<p>Be aware, though, that philosophy is extremely time-intensive. Tons of reading, even more writing. Balancing a full math major, a full philosphy major and completing pre med requirements will require excellent time-management skills on your part and a well-thought out course planning sequence.</p>
<p>Indeed, college level math is very different from high school. I was a great math student in high school and I literally had no idea what was going on in my math major friend’s math books</p>
<p>Again, try not calculate too much. Just try, see if you like it. If you do, then stick to it, if you do not. drop it, switch osomething else. Aside from maintaining high GPA, Med. School has very little to do with this very personal process. And aside from Med. School requirement, it is a very good idea to maintain a high college GPA no matter what you end up doing. You simply will end up with more opportunities after graduating from college, you will be choosing instead of being desparate looking for something that will support you financially.</p>
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<p>Math major math courses like real analysis and abstract algebra are heavy with proofs. A freshman or sophomore maybe able to get a taste of that (depending on what is offered at the school) in the following types of courses:</p>
<ul>
<li>Honors lower division math courses (calculus, multivariable calculus, linear algebra, differential equations).</li>
<li>A “proof methods” or “transition to upper division math” course.</li>
<li>A discrete math course that includes proof methods.</li>
</ul>
<p>Thank you everyone that shared their advice with me. I greatly appreciate the time you all took to respond.</p>