<p>Hey guys i recently received an email from the University of Miami to pick course preferences. While I realize that this is not set in stone I feel that it would be a great time to think seriously about majors. I am a pre-med track/ "major". So here I go. </p>
<p>I have always had an interest in the sciences, specifically those about the human body. In high school, I honestly could not stand General Chemistry, yet I know now why i need it =) Well I loved human anatomy and participated in an internship program where I shadowed surgical, and clinical sites where I realized I would love to become an Orthopaedic Surgeon specializing in Sports Medicine one day. And so I further pursued this idea by applying at the University of Kentucky Athletic Department (Athletic Training) site where the athletes were treated/trained/rehabilitated. I loved the environment! The positive attitude with which the athletes pursued their goals made it easier and optimistic to work with them. In my previous sites the doctors expressed their disgruntlement at the pessimistic general population they treated. Those who worked with athletes seemed much happier. I looked into several majors and realized something along the lines of Athletic Training would be the perfect major. But there are several questions which sprung up at the thought of Athletic Training.</p>
<p>-I could not devote the clinical hours mandatory for Athletic Training majors. I was told that this was a huge downside to the major. I want to work a job, join a frat, and study. So Athletic Training would take away many hours I could split between my interests.</p>
<p>-So after further investigation, I came upon an Exercise Physiology major. I was wondering how good this major might be at reinforcing and helping me on my pre-med track? I feel it offers what I need without the extra time consumption. Yet anyone's opinion would be much appreciated</p>
<p>-And a last question is: If on my acceptance letter, it states that I have been accepted for a "premed major" does that mean I just do the prereqs for the MCAT? or Do I still have to pick a major? And if I wanted could I just do the prereqs and not pick a major?</p>
<p>Another thing is, I myself am a soccer player and have been for 14 years. I am currently 18 years old and I always had a great feeling being around other athletes. </p>
<p>I have to let them know soon so any advice would be greatly appreciated!</p>
<p>Thanks for reading and your time.</p>
<p>I have the exact same questions… I’ll be a Freshman at UT Austin this Fall and my goal is to go into orthopaedics specializing in sports medicine. I’m currently enrolled in the pre-Athletic Training program for the exact same reasons as you have previously stated. </p>
<p>I also have the same concerns as you do. Is there anyone that would be willing to help us answer these questions… </p>
<p>btw raksudum… I’m 18 and have played soccer the past 14 years as well…</p>
<p>You should do what you want to. Doing a preatheletics program is no different from pursuing a history major or french major if thats what you are passionate about.</p>
<p>I can’t agree with post #3. Health science majors, like most vocational majors, are not appropriate for future medical school applicants. Exercise Physiology, Athletic Training, etc. are clearly designed for sports coaches and physical education teachers. Medical schools are looking for academic candidates in a liberal arts, research-intensive subject. Biology, chemistry, economics, history, etc.</p>
<p>^Not true, Chemfreak.</p>
<p>History>>>>>>exercise phys (assuming that ex phys major is a vocational one, similar to AT). Health Science-type majors tend to do very poorly on the MCAT and have much lower acceptance rates (about 1/2 to 2/3 that of other majors). I would avoid the ex phys and go for something more academic. Staying out of bio is also a good idea unless you’re extremely passionate about bio-based disciplines. (At least go biochem instead of straight bio.)</p>
<p>I’ve heard about the health science thing too but if its really what you want to do, then does it matter?</p>
<p>^Depends. Does the OP want to go to med school or major in ex physio more? While not mutually exclusive, they are surely mutually inhibitory. Considering the difficulty of getting into med school in the first place, I’d avoid doing anything you know is likely to hurt your chances and majoring in health sciences is one of those things you know will hurt your chances.</p>
<p>yeah jcdanford that’s pretty weird haha. But hey I am glad I got someone in the same dilemma. </p>
<p>Also how come health science majors are looked down upon? and if that is not pro-med school major to have then what would one suggest after reading about my interest and passion? Thanks for the current input guys. Keep it coming!</p>
<p>Because they’re not academic disciplines, they’re vocational ones. These are vocational equivalents of biology, just as “marketing” is a vocational equivalent to psychology, “criminal justice” is a vocational equivalent to political science, etc.</p>
<p>FWIW, I was an exercise science and bio double major (who will be starting PA school this summer) and I have plenty of friends from my ES major that are attending med school and got in on the first try. At my school, anyway, exercise science wasn’t just for the “dumb jocks;” there were plenty of research opportunities and courses were pretty intensive. I felt like I worked harder in my exercise science classes than the bio ones.</p>
<p>YMMV between schools, of course…</p>
<p>It is funny, I have heard this prejudice against the alternate majors like kinesiology, etc for years; they simply don’t get much respect from med school advising. My Dd took a couple of such classes and found them to be helpful and interesting. Many times a prospective pre-med is advised that any major will do, “even music” yet NOT sports med which actually may teach info that could be helpful info for a doctor. Rather a double standard.</p>
<p>And, how much more vocational can you get than an MD degree ;)</p>