I applied to Penn State early action for Pre-Med, is it a good major for someone with future biomedical research aspirations? Should I change to a microbiology-related major instead?
Also, how hard is it to get in?
@Ste11arstar D17 was admitted to Eberly pre-med major with a 3.88 and an SAT 1380.
The pre-med major is the worst major for a pre-med: med schools want applicants who can handle the pre-med pre-requisites AND a real, full major. The “pre-med major” is just a bunch of pre-requisites put together as a major for kids who can’t handle the full major+ pre-requisites together and their success rate in med school admissions is the lowest of all.
Microbiology or any major in any college is fine. Added to this, the student needs to take calculus 1, biostatistics, Freshman English, another English/communication class, 2 semesters of General Physics (can be taken junior year), 2 semesters of chemistry* (freshman year), 2 semesters of Organic Chemistry* (Sophomore year), 2 semester of Biology* (Spring freshman year, sophomore year), sociology, psychology, biochemistry, neuroscience, a diversity-focused class.
This is assuming a student who didn’t take biology and chemistry HL or through DE.
*= Weedout classes - and the student will need to rank 10-20% in the class.
Avoid taking bio, chem, and calculus together first semester. The pre-med path is a marathon not a Sprint. Pacing yourself is key.
@MYOS1634 Well said! My daughter is switching out of that major. Medical schools are looking for full majors. She is thinking about psychology with the neuroscience option.
^ that would be a very good option.
@MYOS1634 -agree. Definitely a marathon. My daughter is currently in med school. Majored in biobehavioral health. Took all of the courses mentioned above and then some :).
Whoops, wrong thread
@krabbiek What medical school was she accepted?
You know, only 40% students who make it through the pre-med gauntlet are admitted to med school. ONE admission is a huge victory (60% applicants never do - and that’s 60% of the 25% who made it to that point, not 60% of freshmen - in other words, about 10% would be pre-meds make it into med school. So asking about ‘what med schools’ it’s akin to asking “how many Ivies did you get into?” ;). )
@MYOS1634 very nervous about the process for my daughter…just curious! No need to belittle someone’s questions!!
No harm intended!!
I wasn’t belittling - that question is often asked by parents or students who think the Med school application process is similar to the college application process : you apply to 5, 8, or 12, get into a bunch, and choose.
Few HS seniors and their parents realize it’s closer to applying to Ivies and top 20 universities : you’re lucky if you get into just one - even if a few superstars get into a couple.
I was trying to provide context.
You can read the tumbler by Afrenchie36 for an example of a perfect path to med school from Penn State.
You can encourage your child to have a serious Plan B - biostatistics or bioinformatics have excellent job prospects (avoid Biology). Psychology/neuroscience is also better than biology.
@SAD1010 what year is your premed daughter?
@mom2collegekids She is a sophomore at PSU. I have seen you on a lot of pre-med forums. You always have amazing advice.
Add: I switched to microbiology, and recently discovered I got accepted to Penn State! Thank you to everyone for the information!