<p>Debating between the two right now - I have already set my SIR to UCSC, but am seriously rethinking my major choice. Right now I have been accepted as a cog sci major. However, I intend to go the pre med track, but am open to changing my mind: I'm really interested in education, astronomy, counseling (from college advising to genetic counseling), and both wet/dry research. With the breadth of my interest, I feel like doing cog sci would be better because it doesn't require as much hard science, and would help me "figure out" what I want to do because it's so interdisciplinary. However, if I go with neuroscience, I'll definitely be better prepared for pre med and applying to med school, and the major reqs will overlap with more pre meds than the cog sci major, making classes easier. However, I know the actual content will be more difficult. I am, as of now, very certain pre med is what I want to do. Being a neurologist has been my dream since I was eight years old. I simply understand that plans change, and am completely comfortable with mine changing. If I do major in neuroscience and don't end up going to med school, I feel like I won't have as many job opportunities as I would as a cog sci major. </p>
<p>Which would better prepare me for med school?
Which would provide me better / more opportunities if I do not go to med school?
Which is going to be more "desirable" in 8-10 years?
I feel as though Cog Sci has less people doing it than neuroscience, but because of that, it's a better major to have. Is this true?</p>
<p>Thank you!</p>
<p>However, if I go with neuroscience, I’ll definitely be better prepared for pre med and applying to med school,</p>
<p>How do you figure that?</p>
<p>Both CogSci and NeuroSci would almost certainly require graduate-level studies if you would want to move past being a low-level lab/research assistant. An undergrad degree in either could lead to grad studies in the other if your goals change that late in the game. Which means that you don’t have to make a decision about this just yet. Sit down with the university catalogue, and compare the requirements for both undergrad degree programs. The first year or two probably have a great deal of overlap - especially if you are also fitting in the pre-med coursework. After you’ve squeezed all of that in, and have ground your way through the first year and a half or so of classes, if you realize that NeuroSci really is for you, that would be a perfectly fine time to stroll over to the NeuroSci department and ask about what you need to do to formally change your major and/or which coursework to take in your last two years of your undergrad program of CogSci so as to position yourself for grad admissions in NeuroSci.</p>
<p>neuro at UCSC is more of a bio degree. Cog Sci (in the Psych Dept) is more learning/behavior (unless you do the Comp Sci track). Yes, you will have fewer Cog Sci majors in Psych (and neuro majors in bio), but that won’t necessarily make it any easier. Plenty of premeds (from other departments) will be taking those courses as well, so they’ll be competitive. (Psych classes are considered ‘easy’ by premed standards.)</p>
<p>Absent med school, the Comp Sci track is probably the most marketable after graduation.</p>
<p>Thanks! Yeah, I often forget that I have two years to declare… I just want to have it all figured out. Knowing how unrealistic that is, I’m going to go for cog sci right now and switch over if I feel neuro is a better fit for me. </p>
<p>And bluebayou, that may be true, but I unfortunately have no interest in CS :(</p>