<p>I am contemplating majors for premed. My overriding favourite major would be biochemistry, and because of such, I wish to study this. However, with AP credit (yes, I know med schools don't always accept AP's), I therefore will have credit for many courses I will need to take under my major that are not required for med school (such as economics and Computer Science). Thus, with this free time in my schedule, I am contemplating double majoring in biology, chemistry, psychology, or forensic chemistry. Additionally, if I do not double major, in the same four years of college, I can also obtain dual BS/MS degrees in biochemistry if I take summer courses. Will the Masters' in biochemistry present me with a greater benefit over any of the double majors, namely careers outside of the premed realm? Or do the double major positions (please recommend which specific subject) offer better opportunities for jobs and med school admittance? Thanks for the assistance, and I know I will have hard, long work ahead of me!</p>
<p>major in whatever you want.</p>
<p>Are you an int’l student?</p>
<p>History majors consistently score higher on the MCAT.</p>
<p>Correlation != causation, danishpastry123.</p>
<p>Don’t double major in biochemistry and bio or chem. Frankly, I would be surprised if your university even let you do that. The other options all sound OK; it depends on your interests and what pitches life throws at you.</p>
<p>Of course, if you hate history, then don’t be a history major.</p>
<p>But don’t be a bio major if you aren’t comfortable with biology.</p>
<p>You’ll score higher with whatever your more comfortable.</p>
<p>Correlation and causation are correlated.</p>
<p>I don’t understand your logic, danishpastry. Just because history majors score higher on the MCAT does not mean that you will score higher on the MCAT for the sole reason being you are a history major. There’s a huge selection bias going on. A history major who is also premed obviously has enough drive and motivation to both pursue the premed route and major in something he enjoys. This motivation manifests itself in his study habits, which result in a higher MCAT.</p>
<p>Many premeds choose to major in biology because they mistakenly believe that it will give them a huge advantage on the MCAT and in med school admissions. So the premed who fails to major in something he enjoys and chooses biology because of a preconceived notion will probably not have as much drive and motivation as the premed who chose history.</p>
<p>In the end, it does not matter what you major in. All that matters is you do well in the pre-requisites.</p>
<p>No specific benefits in any major. Major in Music if you want or whatever else, any combo of major(s)/minor(s)/post-grad, whatever. Just get high collge GPA, decent MCAT, take care of pre-reqs, do reasonable medical and other EC’s, involve yourself in college life, do not sit in your room studying all day long and you will be good to go as successfull applicant to Med. Schools.</p>
<p>"History majors consistently score higher on the MCAT. "</p>
<p>-because they follow current events and understand current political/economic picture. Many Verbal sections are devoted to that. However, anybody who prepare and has been working hard at college is up to get a decent MCAT score. My D. always had the hardest time with History, it has been her most challenging subject. Thank goodness she did not need to take it at college and potentially lower her GPA, took care of it in HS. She is very remote from political/economic issues. I am not saying that it is good or bad, these are the facts. She did well on her MCAT and was accepted to couple top 20’s and starting at great Med. School in 20 days. </p>
<p>So, do not take anything that you hate, take classes that you enjoy or you think you might enjoy. it will work out at the end, you will have something exciting to talk about during interviews at Med. Schools.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Biology and chemistry generally have poor job and career prospects at the bachelor’s level if you do not get into medical school. (Chemical engineering is significantly better than chemistry in this respect.)</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/internships-careers-employment/1121619-university-graduate-career-surveys.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/internships-careers-employment/1121619-university-graduate-career-surveys.html</a></p>
<p>Major in whatever you want. You have to take science classes anyway and your whole life will be dedicated to science/medicine, so you might as well major in something that interests you outside of that. Medical schools don’t care what you major in as long as you have a high GPA and a good score on the MCAT, as well as extra curricular activities. If you follow your heart in undergrad, you’ll get a better GPA, be happier, and have more interesting things to talk about during your interviews!</p>
<p>Actually, history majors are trained by their majors to analyze text efficiently, and think outside the box.
The MCAT is testing your critical thinking more than knowledge.
Bio majors are more knowledge-oriented.</p>
<p>
It may be so. However, it is well known the graduation requirement for a history major is not as demanding as many other majors (esp. some major like chemical engineering.)</p>
<p>OP: my D has just finished her second year of med school. Her undergrad degree is in biology, and she feels it has been helpful in med school. Biochem major will also be helpful as biochem is very important in med school. </p>
<p>My advice is major in biochem and take lots of biology classes with your extra classes. My D felt her genetics class was helpful. You don’t need to double major as far as med school is concerned. </p>
<p>Some liberal arts classes would be good too. Writing and critical reading skills are also important, both on MCAT and in your applications.</p>