Major absolutely doesn't matter?

<p>Judging from my husband's medical practice and those of some close friends--it might be a good idea for anyone entering medicine (particularly private practice) to have a background in business management. There is definitely something behind the old stereotype of the bright, intelligent, accomplished Dr. who makes the most horrible financial decisions.</p>

<p>haha..as I was reading through the thread, I was exactly having the same thought that it's quite important for the private practitioners to be able to make right financial decisions. After all, they either open their own business or work in partnership, so, one should never undermine the relevancy of finance. (well, I'm not a big fan of majoring in finance either)</p>

<p>I want to be a doctor. It's been my passion for years, but my parents told me not to go into medicine so I went into engineering for my first semester of college. I hated it. I thought I could forget about becoming a doctor, but I guess I want it too much.</p>

<p>Right now, I don't exactly know what I want to major in, but I'm thinking about finance. I'm afraid of majoring in biology or something related because if I don't get into medical school, I'll still get a well-paying job right off college without further studies. I'll still be able to support myself with my undergrad degree.</p>

<p>I may be sad and disappointed that I didn't get in, but at that time, if I am rejected, I'll have no choice but to accept it.</p>

<p>Again, we just don't have the data for vocational majors. Any other major in the book, we can promise you that it won't put you at a disadvantage.</p>

<p>BDM, what major would you recommend? I'm currently in engineering, and I hate it. I tried it for my parents, and I just want to get out. I'm afraid my parents will discourage me again so I don't want to tell them about me still being interested in medicine. Plus, I have other reasons for not wanting to tell them. </p>

<p>What major should I do? I want to major in something that will look good for medicine and if I don't get in to med school, then I could still get a job with my undergrad degree. Is there a major like that? I'm willing to double major too. If I major in Finance, then my parents will think that I'm going to do business, but I could also double major in Psychology. Do you think that will be helpful for MCAT and etc?</p>

<p>None of the traditional liberal arts majors -- psychology, economics, English, etc. -- have a net advantage over any of the others. While engineering is also in this list, hating it is a good reason to leave.</p>

<p>Your job prospects depend heavily on your undergraduate school. If you're at Princeton, there's no point to majoring in finance -- investment banks will come calling for every major from History to Classics. If you're at a state school of some kind, then the Finance major might come in handy.</p>

<p>The point is: major in something -- anything -- academic. A double won't help you for med school and might hurt your grades, but it might also help preserve your options.</p>

<p>What is your opinion of minors? Are minors helpful or beneficial in anyway or should one instead use their time for ECs and MCAT prep?</p>

<p>They don't matter at all -- not even as interview/essay fodder -- but if you can fit them into your normal coursework, no reason not to.</p>

<p>Would this make me desirable to schools like Johns Hopkins and Harvard med?</p>

<p>B.A in economics from University of Pittsburgh Honors
M.P.A with a certificate in Health and Health Policy from Princeton University</p>

<p>BA no.
Honors no.</p>

<p>MPA maybe -- but Princeton's website seems to want a few years of work experience before you enter the program. And in any case it would depend on how you explain it to schools.</p>

<p>Your GPA, MCAT, and research/clinical experience will matter more than the bells and whistles.</p>

<p>Red Sox, You wrote: The fact that undergrad is the last time someone can study something other than science and medicine is not a sufficient reason.</p>

<p>I don't agree with you at all. In fact, i believe that statement is flat out nonsense. That is precisely the reason why I am a history major, pre med student at the University of Virginia. I have a deep desire to become a doctor, one that is unbreakable in my mind. However, I also have a passion to study the past and how it has shaped the world we live in today. One of the most significant reasons why I chose to be a history major over a bio major is because undergad is indeed the very last time I will have the opportunity to focus on one of my greatest passions. Furthermore, being at the University of Virginia, an institution with a rich history, only influenced my decision even more. I will be devoting the rest of my life to the study of science and how it relates to the human body...I wanted to broaden my horizons before I enter this lifelong career and before it is too late.</p>

<p>Now, if you think that isn't a sufficient...then thats fine, however I would love to hear a better one.</p>

<p>The past remains integral to us all, individually and collectively. We must concede the ancients their place, as I have argued. But their place is not simply back there in a separate and foreign country; it is assimilated in ourselves, and resurrected into an ever-changing present. ~David Lowenthal, The Past Is a Foreign Country</p>

<p>Im also particularly fond of this one...A nation that forgets its past can function no better than an individual with amnesia. ~David McCullough</p>

<p>That is not a responsive answer. The original claim is:</p>

<p>"The fact that it is your last chance is not a good reason."</p>

<p>Your response: "I really like it." That is a good reason.</p>

<p>However, it is also my last chance to study dance. Art History. Ebonic linguistics. I don't want to study any of those, and the fact that it's my last chance is not responsive.</p>