BS in Math---> MS in Geology, is it possible? HELP CAREER IS AT STAKE!!!

Graduate School
1

<p>I am going into my junior year and I am changing my major from biology to applied mathematics with a concentration in statistics. I'm just sick of being in classes with pre meds and I find math a lot more interesting than biology.</p>

<p>I am minoring in Biology since I took most of the classes for the major and I am minoring in psychology as well.</p>

<p>I'm thinking about taking a Geology course next year to see if I like it. I heard geology is doing very well in terms of job prospects and I was wondering if it would be possible for me to be admitted into an MS Geology program without an actual degree in Geology. </p>

<p>I'm actually kind of lost as of right now. I'm not sure what I want to do after college. I was originally a pre-med, but my gpa isn't stellar. I also don't think I have what it takes to go through the hardships of becoming a doctor. </p>

<p>I'd much rather have a job as soon as possible and also enjoy what I do. What I consider to be something I enjoy is something that doesn't involve stress. </p>

<p>My options as of right now are:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Apply to a masters program for Geology.</p></li>
<li><p>Apply to a masters program for Bioinformatics</p></li>
<li><p>Apply to a masters program for Biostatistics.</p></li>
<li><p>Apply to a masters program for Computer Science</p></li>
<li><p>Apply for CPA certification or a masters program for Accounting ---> CPA</p></li>
<li><p>Live with parents after graduating. Get a minimum wage paying job. Work for 2-4 years so 75% of debt is gone (I'll be 68k in debt). Then consider applying for a graduate program.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>I know I might have to take some prereqs. I'm willing to do so as long as I'm not taking more than 16 credit hours to be able to participate in the program. </p>

<p>The ones that seem most interesting to me are the first three in no particular order. 4 and 5 are just options that I could possible do if I wanted to. I am looking for the option that provides me with the best job opportunities. 6 is an option if I can't seem to get any financial aid for my masters.</p>

<p>I'm going to be very low on options. I expect my gpa to be around a 3.2 or a 3.3 when a graduate and I feel like this will end up ruining my future. </p>

<p>It seemed so simple to go into college and saying "yeah, I already know what I'm going to do. I'm going to be a doctor". Once I found out that I'm not cut out for it, I found myself in a huge mess. </p>

<p>I'm out of options. I just want to stop living with my parents and get my own place. I'm in a crapload of debt that I thought I'd be able to pay off since I thought I was going to go to medical school and eventually become a doctor....</p>

<p>PLEASE HELP!!!</p>

2

<p>I am an Environmental Bio major and I’m considering applying to Geology MS programs as well. From what I’ve been told, it’s possible, but you should take as many geo courses as possible and speak to some faculty/dept chair about the prospects.</p>

<p>If you are doing a BS in math, you might need a different course in physics than what you had for bio- at my school, math/physics/chem/geo require a calc-based physics class instead of the easy calc-free physics class. Keep that in mind.</p>

<p>Again, speak to someone (or a few someones) in the Geology department at your school to see what they think and what programs might accept you. try to get some relevant experience (reus, working with a geo prof in his/her lab) and do well in the geo classes that you take.</p>

3

<p>You could also joint the military, get an officer’s commission and work with your Math and Statistics degree.</p>

4

<p>I was actually thinking about joining the Air Force right after college and applying as an officer. But I feel as if the chances are very, very slim for me to actually get in as an officer just by having a bachelor’s degree.</p>

<p>Also I’ve heard that it’s pretty difficult to get into the Air Force. I also don’t want to take the chance of being deployed. I’m a huge wimp and I’m very scrawny. I don’t think I’d be good enough for the military.</p>

5

<p>Think about the Navy too. I think they send people to boot camp skinny and they come back fit. One of my friends joined the Air Force. She weighed about 98 lbs and was extremely feminine and petite. Last I heard she’s still in there.</p>

6

<p>What? Where are people getting advice that a 3.2 or 3.3 ruins your life? That’s a reasonably good GPA, especially if you’ll be a math major by the time you graduate. Relax. You will be fine. You can definitely get into a good Masters program with that, particularly if the rest of your application - GREs, letters of recommendation, research or work experience - is really good. I got into biology PhD programs with a much lower GPA, based on the strength of my overall application. All of your options seem like they could be good to me, but that really depend on your interests. Try the geology class, take a bioinformatics class, etc. and figure out what you are actually passionate about. You can’t choose a field based on what you think might be easiest and less stressful. Once you have some semblance of what you want to, try to get as much research or work experience you can in order to make yourself a more competing applicant for Masters programs. The exact specifics of what types of research or work experience you should pursue will depend on what kind of masters degree you want and what field you choose.</p>

7

<p>Yes. There were chemistry, CS and biology majors who did grad work in my school, and I went to school with one of the best geology departments in the country.</p>

<p>My cousin graduated with a 3.3 and she’s studying for a PhD is physics in a very good (but not one of the elite) schools. </p>

<p>Don’t worry about your future too much. You have a lot of options considering that you will graduate with a math major. Go to your career center, I’m sure the counselors there are dying to help someone, anyone.</p>