<p>I got accepted to Cornell ED and I want to go to medical school. I want advice on what I should major in and what to do if I fail out of premed. I signed up for a biology major but I’m thinking of changing to psychology once I get there. Actually I have a few questions:</p>
<li>If I am equally interested in psychology and biology, would it be better to major in psychology and get a higher GPA (with the assumption that psychology is easier?</li>
<li>If I major in biology and fail out, then what would I need to do to become a professor or high school teacher in biology?</li>
<li>If I major in psychology, then how important is it for me to do medical related research to get into med school (assuming that my gpa is high)?</li>
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<p>"If I am equally interested in psychology and biology, would it be better to major in psychology and get a higher GPA (with the assumption that psychology is easier?"</p>
<p>i'm no biology major, but i can tell u thats a VERY false impression u have
if buio is harder, then recruiters will know it and they'll also know psychology is easy</p>
<p>Just pick what you like and do the best you can.</p>
<p>I don't know much about the psychology program, but I know that other than bulky reading assignments intro psych is easy, certainly easier than intro bio.</p>
<p>But I believe anyone who looks at your transcript will see median grade for the course posted right next to your grade. It's ok to choose electives based on median grades, but I would think twice about choosing a major just because it's easier.</p>
<p>yeah dont pick biology, pick psychology youll get a much higher GPA ; in fact, statistically non-science majors have a slightly higher acceptance into medical school (probably bc they have better verbal and writing skills)</p>
<p>Remember that grades are only one part of the medical school admission process. You need to take the MCAT and do well on them. Having a strong science background will help you prepare for this exam as well as for the tremendous amount of course work in the life sciences during your first two years of school. There is no time for catch-up. Dr. Mom</p>
<p>Slow down, skip. You just got accepted and you are already debating between fields to major in for med school and are considering contingency plans if you "fail"?</p>
<p>Well, by reading about how difficult it is to get a competitive GPA at Cornell and how difficult the competition is, I've been getting a little nervous. And I guess it's just in my character to always have a plan B. I was just wondering what people usually do after they have their dreams of becoming a doctor made highly unlikely by a low GPA at Cornell.</p>
<p>You don't pick a major or college based on its average GPA or difficulty... You base your choices on what interests you, If i were you i would go for a Humanities major, take pre-med, do as best as you can. and go to med school. If your planning on failing out of Cornell, maybe a State school would be a better choice for you.</p>
<p>No. I think you misunderstood me xsuubiex. I plan on working to my fullest potential but I know from past experiences that life doesn't always work the way that I want it to. So the reason I like to have a plan B is not because I want to fail; I have a plan B because there is always a possibility that my best will not be sufficient enough for me to achieve admittence into medical school. And like I stated before, I am equally interested in both psychology and biology.</p>
<p>I guess you could say that I am looking for "the easy way," but who isn't? I mean, wouldn't you try to find an easier way to arrive at your targeted goal? I don't find this wrong in any way. Please correct me if I am wrong.</p>
<p>First off, calm down, your just starting off. Though we all feel like this at one time or another.</p>
<p>I'm sure you know by now that Cornell is notorious for grade deflation...but if you look at the median grades, you'll see for the most part that people do get pretty good grades.</p>
<p>I'll actually answer your questions though:
1. If that is the case, take psychology. However, as cliche as it may sound, you should only choose it if it is what you truly like to do. Psychology is probably easier than Bio, but still damn hard by anyone's standards. Not to mention that adcom's will ask you WHY you chose it and you better have a good reason other than "bio majors get bad grades." Furthermore, think about it in the long run. If you really want to be a doctor/surgeon, do you really think its fair you choose an easy major JUST to get into med school? IMO, psychology is fine. It's still pretty science-related and it should prepare you well for MCATs. This is more geared towards majors that have nothing to do with Biology. I don't understand why med school adcoms consider majors in things like English and History to be at par with Biology. I mean, they did take the courses, did take the MCAT, but those majors don't contribute at all to becoming a good doctor/surgeon...but that's just my opinion. Anyway, go with psychology but understand that it is just as hard as Bio and a good GPA is not guaranteed.</p>
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<li><p>Consider a second major or a minor. I am applying to Cornell specifically for CALS because I am interested in the AEM program as either a minor or second-choice major in case medicine doesn't work out. I know that you think you're going to be the ultimate pre-med, but sometimes things don't go according to plan, or even worse, you change your plans. In terms of becoming a Bio teacher, I'm not too sure, I assume anyone with a Bio undergrad can become one. PS: If you grades are really low, take a post-bacc to boost up GPA.</p></li>
<li><p>DO RESEARCH...I've looked at a lot of med school applicants, a lot of people say you can volunteer and its ok. Sometimes that works, but very rarely. Reserach > volunteering at least 70% of the time and reserach could lead to your name getting published in a science paper which scores big points for med schools. You should seriously do both (research and shadow a doctor) and there are always opportunitites, esp. with psychology. I've seen people with poly sci majors get research.</p></li>
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<p>You are paying tens of thousands a year for an education, why not be an education you enjoy. Would you pay ten dollars to sit through a movie you hate? By going to a teir 1 school like Cornell of course its hard, non-Ivy's can be just has hard to do well in. The primary reason we go to good colleges is their NAMEs (prestige etc), and more importantly, thier CONNECTIONS. I can guarantee they would take a lower GPA from a teir 1 school over a high GPA for a worse school. I am willing to bet money that you can get an education just as good or better at a lesser known school, or at a worse ranked school than cornell. </p>
<p>Rman, med school's dont just want a bunch of people who took bio or chem or physics as a major during their u-grad yars, like all colleges, med schools want an air of diversity and people of all kinds and interests with one persuit, medicine.</p>
<p>I'm glad Rman mentioned research. You would be surprised how easy it is to get a research job, just contact the professor.</p>
<p>I was going to do research last semester. . .had a job offer, and met with the professor a few times. I had done research in high school related to his interest, so it was really cool.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, by taking 2 lab courses (chem and bio), there weren't any 3 hour time blocks during the week in my schedule to come in and do research. While I probably could have squeezed in a couple time blocks between bio lab and phys ed. . .it would have eaten up nearly all of my time, and as a freshman you really need time to meet people, and get involved in clubs. . .plus it would have been very unconvinient for the professor to have someone come in for many smaller lengths of time.</p>
<p>Research is fantastic, and there are plenty of opportunities here. . .but I recommend waiting until sophomore year until getting involved in research.</p>
<p>Answer to question 2: As an undergrad I was a Microbiology major, but I also got certified to teach comprehensive science K-12, which was accepted in 32 states because I completed two national programs. I was awarded this certification because I had enough credits in biological sciences, chemistry and physics. I also have an advanced certification in Biology grades 7-12 (MD). To become certified in biology you will need to take classes in psychology, plus ed. classes that may or may not have a related field class (observation). Think of these classes as labs as far as time. Plus, after you finish there are national certification exams. Check with the Board of Education in your particulary state. If you are planning on doing this, in four years, which is possible plan on taking 20 credits a semester. Education classes are a lot of fun. I don't think Cornell is strong on Education. But I would check with the College of Human Ecology. It doesn't matter whether you are preparing a lecture (seminar) for hs students, graduate, medical or professionals the skills used are the same, so these classes are not a waste of time. #3. It always looks good to do some sort of independent research and to have the work published, or at least have an abstract published from the work you did and present this at a national meeting.By the way, I went to Medical School straight after graduation.</p>
<p>Final bit of advice. Stay focused....Keep up with the work.... Study hard...Party only AFTER major exams and you'll do fine. There are very few geniuses out there, even those in medical school : )</p>
<p>I have to take issue with Rman's assessment that English and History have nothing to contribute to the role of a physician...medicine is not all about scientific diagnosis and treatment...they want to draw potential physicians from all different backgrounds and experiences, and realize that a science nerd (nothing against science nerds, we need them, too) doesn't necessarily make a better doctor than someone who chose to explore an interest in another field...if anything, it shows that the person is not afraid to go after what he or she is passionate about, a quality that is essential to a good physician.</p>