<p>I just got back from a medical camp and I was told that business is a major that some people choose to pursue, even though they intend to become a doctor. They said that having a business degree helps those doctors looking to open their own practice, and in general a business degree can prove to be quite useful in whatever path you decide to follow.</p>
<p>Should I look into a major in business, even though I want to be a doctor (as of now at least)? Or should I stick with a science major in biochemistry, etc? I've heard that having a science major doesn't allow you to stand out in the medical school admissions, but would a business major make you stand out any more? </p>
<p>I have not yet found a "passion" for a particular subject in school. While I am pretty good at chemistry, english, history, etc, I could not say that I am strongly interested in a particular area. Business seems more interesting to me right now because I would be learning more about the "real world", rather than ionic bonding and poetic meter.</p>
<p>Major in what you want to major in while fulfilling pre-med requirements (or having a plan to fulfill them). Business knowledge can certainly be useful for doctors--so would Spanish, Biolochemistry, Psychology, English, History of Science, Biological Anthropology, and many other things you can think of. </p>
<p>Wait until you get to college, take lots of courses, and see what appeals to you.</p>
<p>Consider the possibility that as college progresses, your interest in becoming a doctor might decrease, or you might find that you are unable to earn the extraordinary grades necessary for admission to medical school.</p>
<p>I'm not saying that either of these things will happen to you, just that they are possibilities that every premedical student should consider.</p>
<p>Then think about what you might like to do instead, if it turns out that becoming a physician is not the path you will end up taking. And take that thinking into account when choosing a major.</p>
<p>Do you think you might enjoy a career in business if you don't become a doctor? If you would, then majoring in business might be a great idea for two reasons. First, if you do become a doctor, you will indeed be more knowledgeable than many of your peers in terms of the management of your practice. Second, if you end up not becoming a doctor, you have a viable Plan B.</p>
<p>On the other hand, if you are really interested in science, and if you might consider getting a PhD in one of the sciences and pursuing a research career if you decide against medical school, then majoring in a science might be an excellent idea for you.</p>
<p>bball - There is great wisdom in the above advice, and I concur. But I'd be remiss in not pointing out that only a tiny proportion of today's doctors did their undergraduate study in Business.</p>
<p>A friend of ours recently got into medical school with a bachelor's in English. She simply took all the required science courses as an undergrad, did well in them, and did well on MCATS. Her med school interviewer reacted very positively about her academic background.</p>
<p>I can't comment on whether a business major will help you stand out for med school admissions. And I agree that you might want to wait until you've been at college for a term or two (or three) before solidifying your major.</p>
<p>However, if you continue to be drawn to business as a major, I think it can be a wise choice. It can definitely be helpful in a medical career. And, if you end up not going for medical school (or not getting in), the business major could prepare you for health-related business careers (hospital management, hmo's, biotech firms, medical research firms etc.). So I think it is quite versatile, as it would also prepare you for careers in other types of business.</p>
<p>as others have pointed out here and on other threads, there is no "pre-med major". The only thing they care about is having taken the right courses.</p>
<p>Also, IMHO, thinking about what major gives you a hook with med admissions is a waste of time. the process is way to complex. This is not like applying to college.</p>
<p>I don't know how accurate this is, but I have been told that 80% of the kids who begin school thinking they want premed end up NOT being doctors. In fact, just this summer I was told by 4 college students that they no longer want a career in medicine. The advice about doing what interests you is excellent.</p>
<p>If you do decide to go to med school, you can do so with any degree ... you just have to have the required prerequisites & do well on your MCATs. Or so we were told by the Vanderbilt premed adviser.</p>
<p>Would majoring in business put me at a disadvantage as compared to other pre-med applicants who majored in a science?</p>
<p>I am not positive that I will end up going into medicine, but as of now I think it is a very intriguing and realistic possibility. As some of you have pointed out, I think that a business degree would provide me more opportunities outside of medicine. If I chose a science major and didn't end up going into medicine, it might not open up as many doors for me.</p>
<p>bball - Permit to ask this question from the other direction. If you had a Business degree and were competing for a business slot against and individual who had majored in pre-med, would you expect to have an advantage landing the slot? Of course you would. The excellent advice responders have been providing above is predicated on your ambivalence about a career in medicine.</p>
<p>Although I understand the point that NewHope is trying to make, I have to respectfully disagree with its elements. It is very likely NOT true that an undergrad business major has an advantage over ANY other major in seeking a slot in a top MBA program. Probably to the contrary would be my guess - at least that's how it was in my day. Further, there is not really such a thing as a "pre-med" major, is there? There is the need to fulfill all of the science requirements for med school, with really any major being possible. As to whether a science major with all of the pre-med requirements done has an admissions advantage over a non-science major with all of them done - that I don't personally know.</p>
<p>While it is true there is no such thing as a pre-med major at most colleges, the minimum science requirements are extensive: one year of calculus (some med schools require differential equations in addition), one year of calc-based physics, two years of chemistry with labs and one year of biology with labs. Unless you plan early, it becomes virtually impossible to squeeze all the premed requirements into your schedule in addition to any general institute requirements as well as those for your major and be ready to take the MCATs and apply to med schools in your junior year. You should expect to take multiple science classes per semester as a freshman/sophomore, and some courses such as organic chemistry are far from a piece of cake. Med schools look at the science GPA separately from the overall GPA, so unless science is your thing you may be gearing up for a rough awakening. That partially explains the huge decline (sometimes as high as 90%) between the number of students that initially express interest in a medical career and those that actually apply to med school. </p>
<p>Science majors, particularly those in chemistry or biology have a big advantage in that the premed requirements are also typically part of the requirements for their major. Thay also get premed advising early which is an essential piece of a successful application. Don't expect to walk in as a rising junior, express interest in a medical career and get a solid recommendation. Many colleges only give recommendations to pre-screened (likely to succeed) candidates and may shy away from strongly supporting a candidate with only a passing interest in the field over a highly dedicated candidate. Remember that you are competing against many applicants who KNOW they want to be doctors. </p>
<p>Again, statistics show that some non-science majors succeed at entering med schools at the same rate as science majors. But don't be fooled. These are students very strong in science and who planned early. Also the statistics don't show how many changed their minds while in college. The dropout rate is much greater among english majors than among chemistry majors. Considering you may be spending 12+ years in school and training before practicing medicine, accumulate large student loans and have no assurance of ever opening your own practice, you ought to think long and hard about whether it is really what you want to do. If you still decide to proceed, check in detail what the consequences would be on your class schedule of switching from biochem to business as a major. You may find it is much more trouble than it is worth.</p>
<p>A business major is fine. Many people major in something other than science and go on to successful medical careers.</p>
<p>All premeds have to plan their courses carefully. Science majors must be at least as careful as others about not overloading themselves. Science majors have many challenging science courses beyond the basic premed requirements that must be taken for their degrees.</p>
<p>So if you want to major in business, go ahead.</p>
<p>As for when to decide. Depending on where the OP goes to college, it may be necessary to apply as a business major. So it is possible that the decision has to be made before enrollment.</p>
<p>I’d like to major in business too, but some argue that having a “vocational major” hurts your admissions chances. Is this really true? I think it would be ridiculous if it was, because having a vocational major usually offers a better back-up plan if the applicant is rejected by medical schools.</p>
<p>Being a business major is useful, but if you haven’t noticed the government is trying really hard to drive doctors out of private practice with extreme fee cuts. I predict that it will be impossible to maintain a solo private practice in ANY specialty in a few years.</p>
<p>Physician here. Premed is an intention, not a major. Many medical students will have had a science major because they like it, not just because they need many of the classes anyhow. Major in the field that most interests you- this can change while you are in college. Most students will either change their plans or not get into medical school so you need to think of a field you actively enjoy, not one “good for” medical school. Most entering college freshmen will also change their intended major, if they have one.</p>
<p>Do NOT major in business because it may be useful to you as a physician. Courses and degrees in business are offered to physicians in practice, you don’t close the door on this for future years. In fact, many engineers and others in a variety of majors will get MBAs; you don’t need an undergrad major in business to get all grad school business degrees.</p>
<p>Definitely explore medicine by volunteering and other opportunities that your college premed club/whatever suggests. Extracurriculars count more than in my day.</p>
<p>Most physicians today will be part of a large group, often with employee status, so the thought of needing to set up and manage your own solo practice is becoming obsolete (thank you managed care and insurance plans).</p>
<p>You seem to be still in HS, right? If so you have plenty of time. Choose the college that offers majors, academics, financial and social fit, etc best for you. If you are already in college there is usually a premed club to answer many questions and learn more. Choose the major that fits your desire to be hands on. Choose a well rounded education as an undergrad- take classes you can’t get in medical school. You don’t need any except those required for admission- use your electives for art/music/wierd, fun courses instead of anatomy/physiology/medical terms et al. They teach you everything you need in medical school. Medical schools won’t care about your major.</p>
<p>Another physician here. Agree absolutely with wis75. This is your time to learn about things you’ll never have a chance to study-- French literature, Broadcasting, whatever. I didn’t do “pre-med”, just took the right prereqs and did well on the MCAT. I was a zoology/History of Science major. Admittedly, I had some good science background, but wasn’t in the pre-med track at the Univ of WI. I went to med school with people who were French majors, Music majors, and History majors. With people who were already out in the world and had worked as firefighters and teachers. They were also the most interesting people in my med school class. </p>
<p>Enjoy your college time, choose a major right for you, keep your mind open. Some med schools really like having non-pre-med types in their schools. You’ll be fine.</p>
<p>Since the majority of applicants do NOT get into med school, is it not a bad idea to have a back-up plan? Yes, students should major in whatever they like, but they need to smart about it. Not everyone gets into med school. Sure, majoring in French or Music would be nice, but how can these majors get you good job prospects? Let’s be realistic. You have already gotten into med school, so you have nothing to worry about. But everyone else needs a good plan B. Last I heard, these good back-up plans require majors that offer better job outlooks (like “vocational” majors).</p>