<p>Hi everyone! I was accepted to USC and am now just thinking about what I should major and minor in. I know I want to major in mechanical engineering or biology. I let the school know that I was going to pursue a double major. The problem I am having is the workload and whether or not I will be able to finish my degrees within four years. I want to have a great experience there both socially and academically. I am almost positive I want to pursue mechanical engineering no matter what, but i may want to be a doctor later on or possibly a biologist. Biology has always been an interest at heart and I am trying to decide whether or not I should pursue a dual degree or maybe minor in biology to keep myself sane. So what do you guys think is a good route that I should take? I'm just so confused about what to do. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!</p>
<p>If you’re thinking about med school later, you don’t need a “pre-med” style undergraduate degree. Lots of people apply to medical school with degrees in German, History, Classics, et cetera. Although biological sciences majors are by far the most common, they only represent about 57% of those accepted to med school. Med school only requires the basics of biology and chemistry. They want a high GPA and a high MCAT score; your major doesn’t really matter. I think a bio minor would be a good way of keeping your options open while not overwhelming yourself.</p>
<p>Do note though that engineering schools (USC is no exception) suffer from grade deflation, and med school admissions officers do not care that it’s harder to get an A in engineering. They will compare your GPA to a Bio major’s GPA straight up.</p>
<p>I’d look into a minor in natural sciences considering you will have taken 3 of the classes already as part of the Mechanical Engineering degree as well as fulfilling most of the premed requirements.</p>
<p>[USC</a> College Department of Biology](<a href=“http://dornsife.usc.edu/bisc/undergraduate/programs/minor_naturalsc.cfm]USC”>http://dornsife.usc.edu/bisc/undergraduate/programs/minor_naturalsc.cfm)</p>
<p>Thank you guys for the responses! Let’s say,however, that I pursue a dual degree in both mechanical engineering and biology/natural sciences, as War Chant suggests. Would I be able to fulfill the requirements in four years? And if so, how much time would have to be devoted? Difficulty of the courses is what scares me, and even though I know I’ll work hard, there may be times where the workload may be a bit too excessive.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, the mechanical engineering degree requires alot of units as shown [here[/url</a>]. However, if you have credit from [url=<a href=“http://viterbi.usc.edu/students/undergrad/fye/orientation/apcredit.htm]AP/IB/Community”>http://viterbi.usc.edu/students/undergrad/fye/orientation/apcredit.htm]AP/IB/Community</a> College](<a href=“http://viterbi.usc.edu/assets/113/70713.pdf]here[/url”>http://viterbi.usc.edu/assets/113/70713.pdf) you may be able to waive some requirements and open up units. Otherwise, your remaining options are taking an increased course load (19-20 units per semester) or taking summer classes.</p>
<p>Well that does not sound very appealing. I think I will major in Mechanical Engineering and minor in natural sciences. A very good suggestion War Chant. I appreciate your advice. What kind of opportunities are available for biology minors? Let’s say that sometime in my career I want to take a break from engineering and wish to become a biologist. Is this possible? Also are minors in natural sciences allowed to pursue undergraduate research (such as study abroad and the like)?</p>