I started college as a pre-pharmacy student, and anticipated finishing my prerequisites in a year and a half and applying to pharmacy school. Then I decided I might as well go for a major. Or two. Or a couple of majors and certificates. I’m pretty sure I gave a different answer every time someone asked me what my plans were.
And that is totally okay!
College can be overwhelming as an incoming freshman, a transfer student, a fifth year, or a student who didn’t get into the major he/she wanted right away. It’s even tougher if you’re majoring in something that just isn’t right for you. Majoring in Biology or Biochemistry as a pre-med student is overrated. If you’re passionate about the subject, then by all means, go for it! Just don’t do it only to “look competitive”.
But if you’re passionate about anthropology, economics, music, or maybe Mexican American studies, then don’t be afraid to take that path. That being said, don’t avoid science majors because you are weak in science, or because you think it will make you stand out. Let me go over a few things to consider when making your decision:
Know What’s Required for Admission
What are the prerequisites to get in? Most medical schools require similar types of courses and approximately the same number of credit hours for these courses. Some schools restrict advanced science courses to students majoring in science or in that particular subject. You should speak to an academic advisor about exceptions to these restrictions or other equivalent classes you can take to meet your medical school requirements.
Take Advanced Science Courses or Research
If you do pursue a non-traditional major, medical schools want to see that you are competitive in terms of higher-level science courses. Taking a few upper-level classes (like anatomy or physiology) will also better prepare you for some of the material you will see in medical school and may help you decide if medicine is the right path for you. I have been told that some classes cover the same material as taught in medical schools (they use the same textbooks), so that’s an additional benefit.
Research might make or break your medical school application. Most (around 85-90%) of matriculated students have research experience. Participating in research is important regardless of your major, although it should be something that you are interested in and enjoy doing. There are many different ways to conduct research, so choose a topic and method that suits you.
Familiarize Yourself with the University Core Curriculum
As a student at your university, what courses are you required to take regardless of your major? Many of your medical school prerequisite courses can also be utilized to fulfill your university core curriculum, since you will likely need a combination of science, social science, and humanities courses. Your degree checklist, something you should be able to get from your academic advisor, should have a list of the classes or types of classes necessary to satisfy your core requirements.
Keep Your GPA in Mind
Maintaining a high GPA is important for medical school or graduate program applicants. While I support taking electives that you find interesting before deciding on a major, I would not recommend taking classes like quantum physics or ancient theology unless you sincerely think you will be successful. Likewise, when deciding on a major, try to find a subject that you are interested in and feel you can succeed in.
Adding a Major or Minor
If you decide you feel more comfortable or confident taking the traditional hard science route, but wish to take additional classes that you are interested in, there is also a possibility of adding an additional major or a minor. This will grant you access to classes you may otherwise have been restricted from taking. Pursuing an additional major or minor may, however, extend the amount of time you take in undergrad, unless you start taking courses early. You should talk to your academic advisor as soon as you can if this is something you are considering.
Disclaimer: This commentary is based on my personal opinion; be sure to check that the schools you plan on applying to do not require you to major in a hard science. Also, if you choose not to major in the hard sciences, make sure to speak to an advisor about getting access to required courses.