Path to Premed?

I second @goldenrock. It is a easier pathway to do bioinformatics/computational biology as opposed to CS and premed. They have a much better overlap of courses whereas CS/premed dont have much of an overlap other than one year of Math.

In some places, lower level Math and Physics courses may be counted towards CS degree. Bioinformatics and Computational biology usually have biology, cs and bio statistics related upper level courses. It may be easier to do than a CS degree.

I have not heard of those majors before-I will look into it! And I also hope that by the first and second semester I will have a better idea of my major/career path in general. :slight_smile:

Yes, I am very excited about the opportunities my state’s universities have and the prospect of having less student debt!!

Yes, I do agree that the overlap of those majors would be more beneficial towards being premed, only one of the schools (I’m really only looking in-state as of now) seems to offer the major. Additionally, if I were to do a minor in CS, would that require more classes? Just wondering!

@zacademics

A minor always requires additional classes over and above your GEs and major classes, otherwise it wouldn’t be a considered a minor. Colleges typically don’t allow "double dipping-- counting one class toward 2 majors or toward both a major and a minor.

While a particular college might allow 1 class which overlaps in content to count toward both, usually you will need special permission from both college departments involved if you want to double dip.

Thank you!!

People put too much stress about majors, doublemajors and minors. The most effective hook anyone has is doing a masters instead of doing multiple majors to impress medical school adcoms. If one can get a masters within the 4 years instead of double or triple majoring, one will actually improve their app.

@texaspg
Are there any accelerated Bachelors/Masters program that can be completed in 4 years ? There are many 5 yrs combined Bachelors/Masters programs. One can probably finish UG in two years and then apply to masters program.

Some students do a nominally 5 year bachelor’s + master’s degree program in 4 years after coming in with AP, IB, and/or college credit taken while in high school. However, a pre-med needs to be careful with respect to medical school acceptance of any such credit in pre-med subject areas (e.g. may need to take more advanced courses in the subject).

@grtd2010 Heard few students did BA/MS in 4 years OU. Actually 1 student even did BA+JD in 4 years at OU. Many students do BA/MS in 5 years at OU. Since the 5 years scholarship for NMF at OU is really a tempting reward to miss it.

@GoldenRock I think you mean Oklahoma but is this the OU you mean?

@thumper1

Yes I meant Oklahoma University. Also typo, it should be ‘reward not to miss it’.

@ucbalumnus described what I was implying. There are many students who do graduate with a master’s in 4 years because they get credit for APs, IBs, dual credits etc. If one has bandwidth for double major and a minor in their program, they probably have enough flexibility to do a masters in 4 years instead.