I am entering Penn State University Park fall 2020/spring 2021 school year as a biochemistry and molecular biology major within the Eberly College of Science. However, I would like to also major in Psychology (B.S.)- Neuroscience within the College of Liberal Arts. Knowing that I want to apply to medical school, I understand I have to complete certain prerequisites. So, would it be “possible” to double major with these two and graduate on time? Or would it be wiser to major in Biology and take the Neuroscience option? I’d prefer to do a double major for two reasons: 1) I would like to be recognized with both degrees and 2) I would appreciate the deeper content of learning. But, if it’s not “possible” or if Biology-Neuroscience would give me fairly the same or similar experience, let me know thanks.
It’s possible but will require summer classes.
(If you could afford it you might want to start with summer session to get some classes Suh as psych 100 or math 140 out of the way…)
Complete the pre-reqs - there’s some overlap between these two, gen eds, and the premed core.
Use summers.
Declare your majors at the end of sophomore year. Done!
Obviously, it’s hard. You’ll likely end up with one major/one minor but if you want it, it can be done.
Checking out the Recommended Academic Plan, you’d have to take:
Freshman year
English 25/30 or 137
Psych100
Cas or English 138
Math 140-141
Ch 110-111-112-113
Phys 211
Stats 250 Biostatistics
Psych 2xx group A
Summer: psych 2xx
Sociology
Sophomore year
Organic chemistry 210-212-213
Psych 2xx group B &C
Humanities
Arts
BL. 251-252 molecular/cell biology
Phys 212- 213
Summer
Gen eds
Junior year
English 202: technical writing
Bmb 401-402 : general biochemistry
Psychology 105: science& profession
Psych 301
Psych 4xx
Bmb 442-443
Chem 450
And senior year is really packed with
Bio 322 Generic analysis
Chem 452 physical chemistry II
4 400-level biochem classes
4 400-level psych classes
I’m sure your friends, parents, grandparents, etc will all be very proud of your accomplishment. But applicants with double majors are nothing new or special to med schools. Med schools only ask for, in part, a college degree and completion of premed reqs. They don’t really care what major(s) an applicant chooses. They do care about how you do GPA wise in all your classes. Also don’t expect any leniency if your GPAs suffer because you chose to double major.
Yes it’s possible, but wise? Besides fulfilling double major/GE reqs, you should consider completing premed reqs before taking MCAT. In addition to your classes, you’ll need to pencil in 2 maybe more months of time prepping for and then do well on MCAT. Somewhere you’ll have to find time to participate in the 100s of hours of ECs med schools expect to see on your application. I also assume you want to have a college life (eg social). Keep in mind that the med school application process is a year long process meaning if you’re thinking about graduating in 4 years and starting med school after graduating, you would need to submit a competitive application with MCAT score in summer after your junior year. And if you submit an application after junior year, you would need to find time during senior year to travel to interviews if offered.
Understand that many who start premed change their minds and in last cycle approx. 59% of those that applied failed to get even one acceptance. Although some do graduate in 4 years with a double major and then start med school, if you are dead set on double majoring you may want to consider waiting until you graduate and take a gap year(s) to before applying.
Good luck.