ajor Problem

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
1

<p>I am having a dilemma chosing my major I need to solve quickly.</p>

<p>Ever since I traveled on a volunteer trip to the Dominican Republic I wanted to become a doctor just like the American physicians administering to the Spanish speakers in the country. I am trying to choose between the Bio-related or Spanish major and I cannot chose one! Please note: I have already finished all prerequisites for medically school and will be prepared for the MCATn and Med school reguardless of major chosen.</p>

<p>Bio Major:
Pro:
-Develop scientific knowledge more deeply
-Very applicable to Med school
-about 70% med school entering class has this major
-Reccomended by Dr’s and past professors
-Enjoy subject matter
-Easily get research opportunities in science field (looks good 4 med school)</p>

<p>Con:
-Damn near EVERY medical student is a science major
-Limits the “well-rounded” aspect of college
- Wont stand out among all bio majors applying for med school
-No guarentee on level of Spainsh proficiency</p>

<p>Spanish Major
Pro:
-Unique major not often chosen (Good appeal to Med school)
-INSURES higher level proficiency in Spanish (Reading, writing, speaking on college level in Spanish-speaking countries)
-Study abroad, which I really want to do, is more easily attained (perferrably to Spain)</p>

<p>Cons:
-noted as an “easy major”
-how much Spanish is too much? (Classes in grammer, Culture, and Spainsh Works)
-not a science major</p>

<p>Thanks for your time. I have considered double majoring. Anyone done that? Thanks!</p>

2

<p>Can you do a concentration or a minor?</p>

3

<p>wait, are you a current student at CU? Like, current sophomore trying to decide what major to declare?</p>

<p>if so, you've got a few months yet, no?</p>

4

<p>actually Im applying as a transfer to CU, so I maybe have a month or 2! But really myapps need to be started soon so less than that.</p>

5

<p>You can easily double major...</p>

6

<p>Sweating bullets...keep the good advice coming!</p>

7

<p>Double majoring seems to be your best bet.</p>

8

<p>How about majoring in English... 'cuz your English ain't all that.</p>

9

<p>^That's somewhat conceited, not funny, and nonsensical. You're supposed to major in what you love.</p>

10

<p>
[quote]
^That's somewhat conceited, not funny, and nonsensical.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>It wasn't supposed to be funny. It makes sense because the OP's writing is incoherent.</p>

<p>
[quote]
You're supposed to major in what you love.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>You are? Who said? My parents always told me to major in something practical that I also like.</p>

11

<p>Practicality is also essential, but I would say never to take a major that was solely practical because it seems incredibly shallow to leave your interests behind.</p>

<p>The post was nonsensical because the OP majoring in English does not reflect his interests and you provided no practical support for an English major as well. </p>

<p>I am poor at drawing. That does not mean I should major in drawing.</p>

12

<p>
[quote]
The post was nonsensical because the OP majoring in English does not reflect his interests and you provided no practical support for an English major as well.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>OP didn't say he's not interested in English. It may be good to major in something you suck at because it will force you to improve and because overcoming obstacles is an important life skill.</p>

13

<p>i think you should double major that way you develop scientific knowledge and have it applicable to med school, but you also have study abroad opportunities and having a second language as a doctor can be viewed as beneficial.</p>

14

<p>^^ You could do a major and a concentration. </p>

<p>If you like bio, go for it. You haven't actually stated if you like Spanish--are you just looking at it because you'd like to work in the DR? </p>

<p>Also, for what it's worth, bio at columbia is considered to be one of the more challenging bio majors in the country.</p>

15

<p>A little off the point, but I think it is very difficult for transfer students at Columbia to study abroad. There is a limit to the number of credits that can be transferred (which most study abroad credits will be), which, combined with the requirements of the core, may put some constraints on what you can do.</p>

16

<p><em>takes off CU alum hat</em></p>

<p><em>puts on soon-to-be med student hat</em></p>

<p>
[quote]
Bio Major:
Pro:
-Develop scientific knowledge more deeply

[/quote]
</p>

<p>umm ok, though if you major in anything you can take biochem and genetics and have all the basic science preparation you'll need for med school

[quote]

-Very applicable to Med school

[/quote]
</p>

<p>it isn't really....basic science is not the same as medicine....its nice to have a strong basic science background and it might help you with some of your classes in the first year of med school but it certainly won't make you a better doctor

[quote]

-about 70% med school entering class has this major

[/quote]
</p>

<p>wrong...the stat is that 70% of med school entering class majored in science or math ....not just bio!

[quote]

-Easily get research opportunities in science field (looks good 4 med school)

[/quote]

you shouldn't do basic science research just because it "looks good for med school"</p>

<p>
[quote]
Con:
-Damn near EVERY medical student is a science major

[/quote]

well again, 70% are...but what does that have to do with what you choose? They don't get into med school because they are science majors...it just so happens that people interested in medicine are usually very interested in science/math so they major in it

[quote]

-Limits the “well-rounded” aspect of college

[/quote]
</p>

<p>depends on the college....definitely not the case at a place like columbia where 1/3 of your classes are core classes

[quote]

  • Wont stand out among all bio majors applying for med school

[/quote]
</p>

<p>the way you "stand out" is through your extra curriculars and your story/purpose for going into medicine....has nothing to do with your major</p>

<p>
[quote]
-No guarentee on level of Spainsh proficiency

[/quote]
</p>

<p>you can probably take enough spanish courses as a bio major to be proficient enough to get by</p>

<p>
[quote]
Spanish Major
Pro:
-Unique major not often chosen (Good appeal to Med school)

[/quote]
</p>

<p>they don't find this particularly appealing

[quote]

-Study abroad, which I really want to do, is more easily attained (perferrably to Spain)

[/quote]
</p>

<p>you can go abroad just as easily if you aren't majoring in spanish

[quote]

Cons:
-noted as an “easy major”

[/quote]
</p>

<p>doesn't really matter but this is arguable....it is basically agreed upon though that doing well in an "easy" major (GPA > 3.5) is much better than doing poorly (GPA < 3.5) in a "hard" major

[quote]

-how much Spanish is too much? (Classes in grammer, Culture, and Spainsh Works)

[/quote]
</p>

<p>2 or 3 college-level spanish classes should be more than enough to get by as a doctor and studying abroad would be excellent for your language skills and your personal story

[quote]

-not a science major

[/quote]
</p>

<p>doesn't matter</p>

<p>so bottom line is choose a major you would be happy in and which is practical if don't become a doctor for some reason or other (not getting in, change your mind, etc)</p>