I am a junior deciding between environmental science and biology as my pre-med major.
I am very interested in both and I have many extracurricular activities related to environmental conservation.
I know that as long as I complete the required classes I can go to medical school with either major but are there any benefits specific to either major?
If I decide to not go the medical route, which major would give me better job opportunities? (I am equally interested in both fields)
Lastly, will either major give me more internship opportunities than the other? Is either major “easier” to get a higher gpa in college?
Appreciate any answers especially any from firsthand experience as a biology or environmental science major.
Environmental Science is a great major to choose in general, especially when you consider your extracurrirular interests.
ES is much more broader of a major - it includes air, water, plants, animals, energy, soil, toxicology, politics, economics, and compliance. Particularly with toxicology, there are overlaps with what a pre-med student would take. Since it’s such a broad major, and since environmental consciousness is increasing, there will be many job opportunities when you graduate should you decide not to go to med school. You can work for a government agency, consulting firm, or industry. Majoring in ES will also set you apart from other pre-med applicants. Almost everyone going into med school seems to major in bio.
Biology is much more focused - and there will be much more overlap with pre-med courses. There will still be opportunities (pharmaceutical companies, research labs, etc), but not as diverse.
“Majoring in ES will also set you apart from other pre-med applicants. Almost everyone going into med school seems to major in bio.”
No real evidence to support these statements either way, and it appears that as long as you’ve got the required courses, medical schools accept a wide variety of majors.