Major in Chemistry

Colleges & Universities University of California - San Diego
1

<p>If I major in this, how does it look when I apply to Med school? Also, is it known for being a tough major?</p>

2

<p>(learn to check out the old posts, i’m copy-and-pasting my answer to a previous question here)</p>

<p>don’t choose your major because you think it’ll help you get into med school.</p>

<p>for many med students, their primary interests concern the workings of the human body, and a bio major is appropriate for that. at the other extreme, don’t pick something completely out in left field just because you think it’ll help you “stand out.” college is a one-shot ordeal. enjoy it. study what you want. as long as you fulfill the pre-med requirements, you’re good to go. i’ve had friends majoring in history and buddhist studies wind up in UC med schools.</p>

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<p>chemistry “looks” fine. biologists, biochemists, and chemists are some of the most-represented majors in med schools. it isn’t the major they’re looking for, it’s what you make of it – and make of yourself during your time in college. and i dunno, is it tough? there are some parts i found more difficult than others, but i can say that about any field. i felt i had plenty of free time.</p>

3

<p>You do realize that you will be held to the same expectations that people who want to be actual chemist will be held to?</p>

<p>If you don’t realize that, you shouldn’t even attempt to major in chemistry. Just because you are “pre-med” doesn’t absolve you from anything.</p>

<p>Go major in biology or something. That is easy.</p>

4

<p><a href=“http://www.aamc.org/data/facts/2007/mcatgpabymaj07.htm[/url]”>http://www.aamc.org/data/facts/2007/mcatgpabymaj07.htm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>check this out. chemistry majors fall under “physical sciences.”</p>

<p>so chemistry majors make up <10% of medical school applicants yet they score comparatively well on the MCAT (it’s actually ironic that they score better on the biology section than do biology majors ;]). It won’t give you an advantage over non-chemistry majors per se, but it will at least give you as good a chance of getting accepted into medical school as other students.</p>

5

<p>a chem major is pretty tough (see p-chem), so if you do well you will stand out from the slew of bio majors. if you screw up your gpa, though, don’t expect any sympathy from med schools.</p>

6

<p>i’m a biochemistry/chemistry major, does anyone know what’s the difference between that and the biochemistry & cell biology major??</p>

7

<p>That one has more emphasis on chemistry classes and you must take 20 series math + 2 series physics (the harder series). Biochem/Cell Bio has more bio classes, requires only 10 series + 1 series physics.</p>