<p>From previous posts, I am interested in a Bio/Chem major @ Yale. I know that their Bio/Chem program may not be the number 1, even though I'm sure they are prestigious, I would like to know how students think about Yale's Bio/Chem major.</p>
<p>1) How is the competition within the classroom? Is there an average GPA available for Bio/Chem majors?
2) How possible is it to achieve a 3.7+ and be involved in sports such as Crew and Rowing?
3) Just how renown is the Bio or Chem program at Yale?</p>
<p>I’m a prospective Bio major. I’m sure that older students can give you better answers, but here is my take as a rising sophomore.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>There isn’t any cut throat competition among students in general at Yale, not even in the sciences. Most students help each other out in problem sets, while studying, etc. Any sort of competition is personal, you motivating yourself to do better. No idea what the average GPA is though.</p></li>
<li><p>Yes, it is possible. It all comes down to your study habits and how well you stay on top of your work. I failed miserably in these 2 categories freshman year and my GPA shows it. But, it is definitely not impossible to get a minimum 3.7, perhaps even higher.</p></li>
<li><p>No idea. It doesn’t matter, IMO. There are many really good professors (especially in the higher levels). Yale does have some pretty cool research going on. Just have to go out and find it.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Crew and Rowling demand a lot of time commitment. IMHO, It is not very compatible with premed. I heard they need to get up early for practice and many science classes are early morning as well.
In terms of percentage of premeds, bio > mb&b (biophysics and biochem) > chem.
Any of these programs are more than good enough (somestimes maybe too good for some premeds who are not so much into bench research) for premeds, judging from the caliber of the professors. A more likely issue, if any, is whether you as a student is good enough to stand out among the students who may be as good as you. After all, there are many perspective premeds comming in each year, and in the summer of junior year, only about 80 non-international students (in one class year at least, likely in year 2007 or 2008) apply to medical schools. (Including alumni, the number is about 200.) About 70% of admitted students go back to their in-state public medical schools.</p>
<p>I am not sure whether the 3 majors attract top notch students so that their GPA is higher (or lower?) But the introductory science classes seem to attract good students. Some political science or history or English students may still take these classes if they are premed. Their “science GPA” may not be lower than many bio/chem majors. (Two examples: one political science major last year: science GPA=3.92. One social science major this year: science GPA: 3.95+.) Do not underestimate the science aptitude of those non-science majors, at least at the premed class level.</p>
<p>Premed students do help each other on problem sets, etc. It is not cut-throat in this sense.</p>
<p>Yeah, we work together a lot. It’s not competitive like that. Or rather, it will only be for you if that is your attitude. </p>
<p>I’m surprised at how many pre-meds aren’t particularly good at science. I am very good at science, and i find it relatively easy to do well in my classes (my GPA is about a 3.9, high 3.8 for science classes). If you are naturally very good at science, you will do well. If you are pretty good and work hard, you will do well. If you are not good at science and really want to take it anyway, props to you. If you’re not good at it and don’t intend to work very hard, i’d advise against a science major.</p>
<p>biology is definitely easier than chemistry, although MB&B is hard. In bio you’ll do a lot of annoying memorization, whereas chemistry will require more quantitative work and conceptual understanding. With that said, bio majors have to take a sizeable bit of chemistry (Up to two semesters of general and organic), but if you’re pre-med you’ll need this anyway.</p>
<p>It’s true that some premeds aren’t particularly good in the sciences. But, I feel like the issue for a lot of premeds (definitely the case with my friends and me) is that students underestimate how much time needs to be devoted to a given class or just don’t stay on top of it. Doing all your work in a timely manner and with some diligence alone gives you ~B+ in many cases (in others A-/A). My grades freshman year were low, but my average could’ve easily been an A- or so if I had done simple things like hand assignments in on time and go to sections.</p>
<p>Thanks for the replies!
To Kwijiborjt/others who may know: How much harder in terms of biology is MB&B? That was one of the other majors I was really interested in. What is it like? How is the grading there?</p>
<p>Also, correct me if I am wrong, but, is the biology major traditionally one of the under-enrolled majors at Yale? I really do have a genuine interest in biology, and my high school is special in that it focuses mainly in the sciences. So, wouldn’t it make sense for me to apply to biology instead of a major like chemistry? (Because bio is what I am interested in)</p>
<p>I am not sure, but is it also true for MB&B? I believe my high school background best revolves around these two majors, and these two are majors which I am really interested in. Still, I am not sure whether applying as a bio or a MB&B major would be more beneficial, even though I really like both.</p>
<p>It doesn’t matter what major you put on your application. Yale gives very little, if any, consideration on your potential major. Most people change their majors once they get to Yale and no one really expects you to know what major you’re going to be before you even get in. If you like biology, then put biology. But honestly, it means the same thing as you putting chemistry as your potential major.</p>
<p>Biology is not THAT under-enrolled. I think it’s like one of the top 5 majors in Yale College. If not, definitely top 10.</p>
<p>MB&B vs. Bio: Not too sure, but MB&B is obviously a lot more concentrated. The only difference I have heard of a lot is that MB&B’s Biochem class is a lot better than the Bio one. Also, the req’s are slightly different for MB&B. Kwijibort can probably answer this question better. (Kwijibort, what year are you again?)</p>