choosing a major.
While probably most helpful for incoming students, this also really applies really to any undergraduate. Keep in mind that the information below is based on Andy's thoughts and experiences, so ultimately it's up to you to make your own decision about what major you are most passionate about and think you can excel in.
"1. I think a “science-y” major is probably best.
If you do something biology, chem, biochem, etc…you will never have to show that you can’t throw down with the other science majors. Medicine is extremely science heavy, and thus anyone who looks kind of soft is going to probably going to get some heat during the application process about why they didn’t pick a science major.
That said, not everyone should make a run for MCB, or take a shitload of p chem or graduate courses which will destroy you, your sanity, and your GPA. Find a science major you think is quite interesting, and then be savvy about how your class selection and scheduling. In my experience, just show up with a good GPA, a science-y major, and you should be good.
Space your coursework out. I was a valedictorian in high school and slept through class. I humbly admit that when I got to Cal, I got my ass handed to me multiple times as an undergrad because I bit off way more than I could chew. Give yourself breathing room because you will need it. And don’t insist on a hardass major/track.
2. But Andy I heard that non-science majors have higher acceptance rates!
This is true. This has been true since when I was a fossil that applied to med school. But after intense discussion with other students, admissions, I think this is misleading. If you look purely at the % of people admitted to med schools with non-science majors, you’d be “oh shit, they have higher % acceptance”. What that doesn’t show is 1) how many let’s say, music majors applied to med school, which would likely be significantly less than science majors 2) the average age of the music major applicant, which I have a hard time believing would be someone who hadn’t done something else with their life first then realized medicine was their calling, in which case they would be a lot older than the average science major on application to med school, and 3) those people probably did an assload of work to go toe-to-toe with the other applicants, or are older, and thus have more stuff to show for their application. Short version of all that stuff I just posted – not that many music majors go straight out of undergrad and end up in top tier med schools."
3. What about double majoring? [Andy's opinion]
My *opinion* is that a double majoring is generally a huge waste of time and energy if you pursued two degrees only for the sake of impressing an admissions committee. It won't really help you get that much more brownie points. If you are going to double major or add on a minor, you have to be genuinely interested and truly passionate in both areas, while keeping your GPA as high as possible.
Another opinion: K.lam-
"Go for it if you actually love two different fields (e.g. English and Nutri Sci), but don't do it because you want to impress the admissions. Double majoring does not make up for a poor academic performance or indequate extracurricular activites, so keep that in mind when you plan your course schedule. Alternatively, you may want to consider a minor instead, which allows you to take additional courses of your interest while keeping your workload minimum."
"1. I think a “science-y” major is probably best.
If you do something biology, chem, biochem, etc…you will never have to show that you can’t throw down with the other science majors. Medicine is extremely science heavy, and thus anyone who looks kind of soft is going to probably going to get some heat during the application process about why they didn’t pick a science major.
That said, not everyone should make a run for MCB, or take a shitload of p chem or graduate courses which will destroy you, your sanity, and your GPA. Find a science major you think is quite interesting, and then be savvy about how your class selection and scheduling. In my experience, just show up with a good GPA, a science-y major, and you should be good.
Space your coursework out. I was a valedictorian in high school and slept through class. I humbly admit that when I got to Cal, I got my ass handed to me multiple times as an undergrad because I bit off way more than I could chew. Give yourself breathing room because you will need it. And don’t insist on a hardass major/track.
2. But Andy I heard that non-science majors have higher acceptance rates!
This is true. This has been true since when I was a fossil that applied to med school. But after intense discussion with other students, admissions, I think this is misleading. If you look purely at the % of people admitted to med schools with non-science majors, you’d be “oh shit, they have higher % acceptance”. What that doesn’t show is 1) how many let’s say, music majors applied to med school, which would likely be significantly less than science majors 2) the average age of the music major applicant, which I have a hard time believing would be someone who hadn’t done something else with their life first then realized medicine was their calling, in which case they would be a lot older than the average science major on application to med school, and 3) those people probably did an assload of work to go toe-to-toe with the other applicants, or are older, and thus have more stuff to show for their application. Short version of all that stuff I just posted – not that many music majors go straight out of undergrad and end up in top tier med schools."
3. What about double majoring? [Andy's opinion]
My *opinion* is that a double majoring is generally a huge waste of time and energy if you pursued two degrees only for the sake of impressing an admissions committee. It won't really help you get that much more brownie points. If you are going to double major or add on a minor, you have to be genuinely interested and truly passionate in both areas, while keeping your GPA as high as possible.
Another opinion: K.lam-
"Go for it if you actually love two different fields (e.g. English and Nutri Sci), but don't do it because you want to impress the admissions. Double majoring does not make up for a poor academic performance or indequate extracurricular activites, so keep that in mind when you plan your course schedule. Alternatively, you may want to consider a minor instead, which allows you to take additional courses of your interest while keeping your workload minimum."