<p>I want to go to medical school, but I still need to major in something. At first I thought Chemistry, because I loved it so much during Sophomore year in HS (I got a 98% both quarters and a 97-98% on both finals), but I heard that college chemistry is different than high school, and I probably won't be able to succeed in it. Then I thought, why not biology? Well, I hate biology if it's like the one in high school. I have hated most subjects I have taken in high school.</p>
<p>I cannot major in anything math related because I am not smart enough and I don't understand math :(. The ONLY, ONLY ONLY major that I would have been interested in taking was Astronomy, but I hate the physics part about it, so I ruled that out. </p>
<p>Other than that, I have no real interest in anything. There are literally no majors I look at that make me go "Wow. I really want to take that!"</p>
<p>I guess at this point I just need to pick something and get it over with, but I just don't know what. I want a fun/good major, but I want one where I can actually get a job if I don't go to medical school.</p>
<p>Can anyone help me??? Give me words of advice??</p>
<p>Are you in college yet or are you in high school still? I would recommend that you try different courses and see what interests you. If you want to go to medical school, you are still going to have to take biology, chemistry, physics, and math courses (among others), which is why pre-med students typically major in biology, chemistry, or something similar. If you haven’t already taken these courses in college, I would recommend you do so, and you might end up liking it more than you did in high school or you might not. There are also many more fields that you can be exposed to in college than you can be in high school, so take some time to explore different options (perhaps, while fulfilling GE requirements).</p>
<p>Also, if you really HATE biology, medical school is going to be a real drag, considering medicine involves a whole lot of biology.</p>
<p>I’ll be honest, I don’t see how one could become a doctor while hating biology, and lacking math acumen, but what do I know. That notwithstanding, if med school is truly your goal, you can major in whatever you want. As long as you complete the required premed courses you are free to major in English, theatre, music, basket weaving, what have you. Either way relax and just let it play out, their is nothing wrong with going in undecided.</p>
<p>In addition to the above responses, I’d like to add that sometimes your major includes courses you might not like very much. Most majors have those types of courses and you shouldn’t rule out a major because of a class or two you don’t want to take.</p>
<p>I mean…I don’t HATE biology, I just hated being in that class> The teacher just showed us videos and notes and gave us a test. I don’t really mind the subject… SOrry for the confusion. And I know math is pretty much essential, but no matter what I do, I cannot understand it. I usually can only pass with a B. </p>
<p>I am a senior in high school and so far I have taken Algebra one and 2, geometry, and statistics. I got a B in all of these. </p>
<p>My other problem is, I can’t find anything I want to do. Nothing is interesting :(</p>
<p>If you haven’t already, I would take classes in those subjects before completely throwing them out. Who knows how it will go until you try?</p>
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<p>Don’t be so down on yourself. Plenty of people are subpar at math before they enter college, then improve greatly once they take college math classes. The style of classes is much different in college than in high school, as is the material (especially once you get to the proof-based classes). Actually, my Calc 1 professor talked about how he barely passed his high school math classes with a C-, and look where he is now. Again, you never know how you’ll do until you try it.</p>
<p>As for what to major in, as baktrax said take classes in as many areas as possible. Usually that at least narrows down the general subject area (e.g. natural sciences, humanities, social sciences) you’re most interested in. You can go from there as far as finding what specifically you want to major in.</p>
<p>A. Maybe consider what it is you like about the idea of being a doctor. There are different aspects of medicine and patient care that can translate into majors like Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Neuroscience, Psychology, Sociology, Public Health, International Studies, etc.</p>
<p>B. Do you know what colleges you’re interested in right now? Search through their lists of majors and see if any stand out. Many colleges had majors I had never even heard of before; they’re not all so traditional as the subjects you took in high school.</p>
<p>C. DON’T be dissuaded from pursuing Chemistry as a major just because others told you that it is hard. Every major will have some tough classes, but passion for the subject and a drive to learn and work hard will make the material come easier, help your GPA, and give you lots of perks (closer relationships with professors, research opportunities, etc.)</p>
<p>No, I just literally cannot understand math. I need a calculator for basic math at most times and it takes me sometimes days to understand certain problems. I normally expect F’s on all my math related tests. </p>
<p>I wanted to become a pathologist (at first it was a forensic pathologist) because I just like the human body and I want to be able to diagnose diseases. It’s just seems like something I could see myself in. And I heard you don’t really have to have much social/patient interaction in this job so it’s perfect for me. </p>
<p>I want to go to the University of Alabama, but they don’t have any really “unique” majors. They are just your regular college majors…</p>
<p>Don’t rush off to college just because that’s what is expected during the year following high school. If you don’t see yourself succeeding or finding your way for whatever reason, take a semester or a year, find a job somewhere and give yourself time to develop a plan. Figure out what it is you really want and how you might achieve your goals. College is expensive and it’s a huge commitment of time. Until you feel like it’s going to be worthwhile, there’s no rush.</p>
<p>In my family it’s pretty much mandatory I go to college after high school. NO one in my family has ever taken a gap year for any reason, and I will not be the first to. I know it’s going to be worthwhile, but I just don/t know what to major in. I want to go to medical school, but if that doesn’t work out I want something to fall back on as well.</p>
<p>I do a lot of counseling of high school kids, and it’s common for high achievers to want to go to Medical School. It seems like when you’re looking for a field that is worthy of all the hard work you’ve done, doctor catches everyone’s eye. There are a lot of great options, though. </p>
<p>If I were you with your interest in chemistry, I’d look at pharmacy, which has a wide variety of jobs. You can, of course, work at the local pharmacy and make a good salary. But hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, and research labs all need pharmacists. You could certainly still go to Med School, or you can add law school to that and work in intellectual property law on pharmaceutical formulas. </p>
<p>There are lots of options available for you! Unfortunately, as kids we know only the careers we see–doctor, teacher, minister, policeman, etc. Your college’s counseling services can help you narrow your focus once you get a few more classes under your belt.</p>
<p>Thanks Nancy! I am actually a senior who will be graduating in 2014. I joined the medical academy at my school specifically to be a doctor, well a pathologist. I don’t think pharmacy is the right choice for me. And definitely not law school. I have no interest in law!</p>
<p>Judging from you saying that you hate Biology (don’t lie to yourself) and you expect F’s in math… I don’t think being a doctor is for you. Biology, chemistry, physics, and yes: MATH are all pre-reqs for medical school that you will have to take. The average GPA for someone going to an Allopathic (MD) school is around a 3.7. Along with a 32 average MCAT (which tests BIOLOGY, CHEMISTRY, PHYSICS, AND YES, MATH!). I’d take a year in college to make sure you can really handle this. </p>
<p>Also, you’re dead set on being a Pathologist, but there’s no guarantee of that even if you do make it to medical school. You have to score very high USMLE scores and have lots of research to land a Pathology residency, it’s fairly competitive. Especially since the first 2 years of med school are basically all Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. </p>
<p>Check out the Student Doctor Network Forums. They’ll set you straight in a heartbeat: [Student</a> Doctor Network Forums | An educational community for students and doctors spanning all the health professions.](<a href=“http://■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■/]Student”>http://■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■/)</p>
<p>You really did not have to reply in suck a rude, patronizing manner…That was unnecessary. I don’t need someone to “set me straight”. I was just asking for advice, not to be treated like an idiot.</p>
<p>I’ve heard of it, but I don’t think my math skills are bad to a point where I have a disability. It’s just like, many double digits I cannot add up easily and I have to think for a long while before I can reach an answer. I really think I just learn a certain way. For example, one kid may learn a concept within a matter of days, but I still struggle with it weeks later.
I used to get tutoring but it never helped. I just had to give it my best. Like I said, I have never FAILED a math class, but I have never actually understood math to the point where I could take a math test confidently. Maybe it’s my study habits…I am not sure…</p>
<p>Can you add numbers with double digits using pen and paper? Is it just doing math in your head that you struggle with?</p>
<p>What about solving algebra or calculus problems? Do you struggle with them even if you have a calculator and don’t have to do the basic arithmetic on your own?</p>
<p>Adding numbers is basic math, and if you struggle doing that (even adding them long hand with paper and pencil), it might point to a larger issue with regards to your struggles in math. It’s also possible that at some point you decided you were bad at math, and it became something of a self-fulfilling prophecy =D Identifying why you struggle in math might help you figure out ways to address the problem.</p>
<p>Major in whatever you like. There’s no reason that you have to major in biology or math or whatever. Major in something that you are good at and can excel in. Don’t worry about what you’ve heard about chemistry or biology. Just try it in college, and see how it goes. That being said, you will have to take biology, chemistry, physics, and calculus in college (among other courses) as prerequisites to medical school. So figuring out a way to do well in those courses, even if you hate them, will be vital for your success in medical school.</p>
<p>I can add with paper, It’s just doing it in my head takes a bit more time. And this is only when I am not under pressure. If I am under pressure then I am terrible! It’s like I think I have the answer right but I usually second guess myself and end up having to do it on paper. I don’t know how to do any calculus but I am ok at algebra. It takes me some time to learn new concepts but I do it anyway. I don’t remember if I said this but every time I have gotten a tutor it has never worked. </p>
<p>Anyway, I think it may be because I am so used to doing things with a calculator that my ability to work without one has been ruined in a way haha! I may just need more practice.</p>