I want to be a math major, but I want to go to med school.

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I am currently doing a bio-chemistry undergraduate program in college because I want to become a forensic pathologist. Basically, I want to go to med school in the future, but I want to so badly major in math because I love it. I read a few minutes ago in another post that it is possible for people to be math majors and still be able to go to med school. I am currently considering this decision. What I want to know are:</p>

<p>Which math (pure, applied, etc.) should I do pertaining to my career, or does it not matter?
Which colleges have good math programs?
Which colleges have good math programs but also a chemistry and biology program because I still want to major in the sciences or i dont necessarily need to minor in these to get into med school?</p>

<p>Not being picky, but the first 2 questions are of utter importance, but any answer to any question would be of great help!</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

2

<p>[Pre-requisites</a> - Course Requirements | UW Medicine, Seattle](<a href=“http://uwmedicine.washington.edu/Education/MD-Program/Admissions/Applicants/Prerequisites/Pages/default.aspx]Pre-requisites”>http://uwmedicine.washington.edu/Education/MD-Program/Admissions/Applicants/Prerequisites/Pages/default.aspx)</p>

<p>This should give you a good feel for what top-flight med schools expect to see in terms of coursework:


Social sciences, humanities or "human condition" - 4 semesters or 6 quarters.
General types of courses that fulfill these requirements are: anthropology, classics, cultural studies/cross cultural studies, English literature, ethics, foreign language literature, history, music appreciation, philosophy, religion/theology, sociology, study abroad
Chemistry and biology - 6 semesters or 9 quarters.
The subject matter in these courses must include college level chemistry and biology, biochemistry, genetics, molecular genetics, cell biology/cell physiology, although applicants are not required to take courses with these specific titles.
Physics - 2 semesters or 3 quarters; OR 1 semester or 2 quarters of physics, PLUS 1 semester or 2 quarters of calculus or linear algebra.

In short, you should certainly be able to major in math. Beyond the required courses above, either pure or applied math would be fine. A concentration in statistics would probably be most helpful in a career in medicine, but it isn’t necessary.</p>

<p>[s]Many schools have good math programs. The following ranking is old, but it should give you a feel for some of the top departments:
[NRC</a> Rankings in Mathematics](<a href=“http://www.stat.tamu.edu/~jnewton/nrc_rankings/area31.html]NRC”>NRC Rankings in Mathematics)</p>

<p>If you want a small liberal arts college, ignore the above ranking because it only covers schools with graduate programs.[/s]</p>

<p>EDIT: See post #4 below.</p>

3

<p>You want applied math.<br>
There are few colleges that don’t have good math programs. I would advise staying at your current institution.
Talk to the pre-med advisor at your institution. Tell him you’re really passionate about math but want to go to med school for pathology. Ask for his help figuring out the implications of a math major + med school premeds vs. a double major vs. your current major + as much math as you can fit in.</p>

4

<p>I agree with lynxinsider. Somehow I missed that you were already in college… maybe you can just take some extra math courses for fun and not really worry about getting the major requirements?</p>

5

<p>I go to the college of the bahamas…this college is certainly not up to par with the rest of the colleges out there…my point it’s crap. Education here will only help me to an extent to get into other colleges. I’m trying to leave here as soon as possible.</p>

6

<p>thanks noimagination.
appreciate the suggestion</p>

7

<p>Would you be an international student in the US?</p>

<p>Do you have the money to go to school in the US? If so, what is your budget?</p>

<p>What are your current stats? Will your credits transfer? How many credits do you have?</p>

<p>If you can tell us what your budget is, we can make some recommendations for schools for you to transfer to.</p>

8

<p>If you’re interested in math, I strongly encourage you to check out public health in addition to medicine. Biostatistics might be right up your alley. The outlook for epidemiologists is excellent, and some states have a massive shortage of them.</p>

<p>[What</a> is Public Health?](<a href=“http://www.whatispublichealth.org/what/index.html]What”>http://www.whatispublichealth.org/what/index.html)</p>

<p>[ASPH</a> | education, academic public health, education, graduate, employment, fellowships, internships](<a href=“http://www.asph.org/document.cfm?page=842]ASPH”>http://www.asph.org/document.cfm?page=842)</p>