<p>I am most interested in pursuing a science-related major in college, though I would be almost as interested in a few non-science majors. However, I have heard on this site that medical schools don't care what classes applicants take (besides those required), but only what grades they obtain in them. In this case, would you suggest going for the science major, which I am slightly more interested in, or the non-science major, which would be quite a bit easier?</p>
<p>This is not “somewhat unique” - it’s not even a little unique. Tons of people go through the decision you’re trying to make.</p>
<p>Major in something that you like AND are good at. Of course, you need good grades for a successful medical school application, but it’s hard to get good grades in something you don’t care about. The ideal major for you will be one that you find interesting and can succeed in.</p>
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<p>Man, how I love this stereotype :rolleyes:</p>
<p>@shades_children: That’s why I said “somewhat.” I don’t really feel like you answered my question though. I’m highly interested in both, but slightly more interested in the science major.</p>
<p>@Icarus: I’m not stereotyping. It’s not as simple as I posted it, I just didn’t feel like mentioning specifics.</p>
<p>Shades is right, your situation is not unique in any way; Icarus is right too, and I doubt that you are in a position to judge what is really “easier” or “harder” seeing as how you have not even started college.</p>
<p>That said, if you are more interested in the science major, then go with the science major.</p>
<p>Okay, we’ll talk about this in theory. Assuming the science major was harder by about .2 points on a GPA, would it still be the best decision to stick with the science major?</p>
<p>How could you possibly know what effect it will have on your GPA? 0.2 is a big difference. I give up. Flip a coin and decide what to major in that way.</p>
<p>Okay, now that I’m no longer tired and I’m less cranky, let me rephrase that last post:</p>
<p>Without having taken college classes, you have no way of knowing whether your GPA will be higher in one major or another. There is no guarantee that the non-science major will result in a higher GPA, or that it will be easier. And even if it was easier, a 0.2 difference in GPA is pretty big; this is purely anecdotal, but most of the strong science-majors I know would not do all that much worse even in a non-science major.</p>
<p>There are exceptions; engineers tend to have lower GPAs than non-engineers.</p>
<p>At the same time, it is usually easier to do well in a major you are actually interested in. Being an engineering major doesn’t mean you’ll automatically have a lower GPA; it might mean you’ll have to work harder to get a high GPA, but that might be easier to do if you’re legitimately interested in the coursework.</p>
<p>If we knew the specifics in your case, it might help us out. That said, you may want to hold off on making any final decisions until actually taking a few classes from each major in college. It could very well help clarify for you which major is the right choice.</p>
<p>You are asking for a black and white answer to what is a very subjective question. Even if you liked both majors the same, they are very different in terms of structure and evaluation. Do you want to spend your time reading and discussing and writing essays or do you want to spend your time in large impersonal lectures and being evaluated by timed exams? Even if you were to accurately gauge your GPA (which is impossible before entering college; I figured I’d be a 3.5-type student in college and I graduated with 3.9+), 0.2 on the GPA means two different things depending on where on the spectrum you fall. 3.5 is a lot better than a 3.3. 4.0 is not a lot better than a 3.8 nor is a 2.6 a lot better than a 2.4.</p>