I’m strongly considering taking Genetics as my undergrad major, and I hope to get into med school after I get my BS. I’ve been told that this is a good major that will set me apart from other Biology majors, but how difficult is it? It sounds interesting, but if I can’t keep a good GPA afloat then there’s no point in majoring in it.
Is it anymore difficult than other Bio majors? And what Master’s degrees can I pursue (that’ll get me jobs) if I decide not to pursue med school?
Also, will I have time for extracurriculars and a life outside of school with this major?
At some schools, it will be just a subarea within a broader biology major, rather than its own major.
Difficulty is likely to be similar to other biology majors or subareas, but your interest or lack thereof in some subareas could change the difficulty for you. But you will still have to take the same frosh/soph level courses (which overlap with the pre-med requirements) that all biology majors take.
What will set you apart from other applicants is a competitive app (ie strong GPAs and MCAT, solid ECs, strong LORs, well written PS which explains why you are choosing medicine, good interviews, fit with school’s mission statement). Your major will have little if any impact on whether you get into med school.
As to whether genetics is hard or interesting will be more on your interests, how hard you work, and your profs. Maybe take a lower division genetics course first year and see if you find material interesting/hard. Good luck.