<p>I was wondering how important it is for pre-medical students to get a B.S. from their undergraduate university. I realize a B.S. is much more concentrated and specific to the major as opposed to having a more diverse set of courses taken. Basically, I am wondering if it matters whether or not I have a B.S. or a B.A. Also, if I don't become a doctor, will I be less competitive for jobs with a B.A. in bio-chemistry for example than a B.S. in bio-chemistry. </p>
<p>I am applying to the UC schools and the big ones on the East Coast like Harvard, Brown, Penn, and Dartmouth. I was also going to apply to two liberal arts schools in my area (LA area), Occidental College and Claremont McKenna College, but neither offer a B.S. degree. Would going to these schools hurt my jobs prospects and admission to medical school? Should I even bother looking at liberal arts schools or are they a waste of time for science major students if they don't offer a B.S?</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>You should go to the Pre-Med Topics forum and read some of the sticky threads at the top. Lots of good information and informed posters there, several who are current Med students and so have been through the process.</p>
<p>As far as med school, it doesn't matter at all whether you get a BA or BS. To qualify for med school, you just have to take certain classes, you can major in anything. Other factors such as your GPA, MCAT scores and medical ECs will be much more important than the title of your degree.</p>
<p>MCATs are so general anyways since they focus on the elementary topics that you don't need full on concentration of that indepth anyways.</p>
<p>Though for the money, I'm getting a B.S. in Molecular Cell biology, since its only one class or two more than B.A. for a General Biology degree at Hopkins.</p>
<p>Thank you. I'm new so didn't know about the pre-med forum. Thanks!!</p>
<p>The schools with the B.S. degrees are my first choices. The two liberal arts colleges are my "safe" schools. If I don't become a doctor (if I have a change of heart, don't get in, etc...), will I get paid less or not be able to get jobs in science related fields if I have a B.A. in a science major instead of a B.S. in a science major? Basically, is a B.S. a more prestigious degree to have for science majors?</p>
<p>Generally, its always better to have a B.S. if given the choice to pursue one over a B.A., though it doesn't mean that you will be totally jacked screwed coming out of college without a B.S., you will still do fine in the workforce. B.S. for research position is generally highly more preferred than a B.A. (based on my endless searchings for openings on craigslist, myspace, monstertrak, websites etc....many employers that employ ppl for research generally want a bachelor of sciences degree, though they never say or make a explicit distinction between the both). I'd go with B.S. because I'd say it is better. :)</p>
<p>Question my LAC is offering B.S. and B.A. in computer science. What's the difference between a B.A. and B.S. degree?</p>
<p>Good thing the major I am looking at is a B.S. then I guess. haha
I never knew they were really that different. I always just thought that BA was a degree given to arts majors and BS was given to science majors. i am very wrong. haha</p>
<p>Different schools do things differently. At my school you only get a BS if you major in business or engineering. Generally, a BS requires a few more math/science electives than a BA. Nothing too special. If you really want to better your career prospects, try to finish your major in 3 or 3.5 years and tack on an MS. That'll get you on a higher pay scale, and sometimes your college will pay for your extra year to get the MS.</p>
<p>There are no national standards for defining B.A. or B.S. Every college and university gets to work this out for itself. Ultimately what is on your transcript is what matters, not whether your diploma reads B.A. or B.S. (or A.B. as some of them put it).</p>