<p>Sorry, I misunderstood. From D’s UG studies, yes, " zoology sounds equivalent to biology - just focused on non humans"</p>
<p>WayOutWestMom, if that were universally true (admissions committees being “suspicious” of vocational majors), why do engineering majors do well in admissions? Where are you getting this information from?</p>
<p>UW-Madison is a top research university; their animal science major doesn’t have to be “vocational.” The website says that the major “teaches the principles of genetics, reproduction, nutrition, physiology and meats…and their application to research, production, and distribution of livestock…The curriculum is useful for any student who wants to learn the basics of whole animal biology…The coursework strongly reflects the department faculty’s interest in emerging scientific technologies.” It seems that all the faculty there are doing research into animal science; there’s an immunology and cell biology concentration in the major and an Honors in Research track that animal science majors can participate in. Besides that, animal studies is relevant to medicine in a variety of ways.</p>
<p>I think that an animal science major who has otherwise shown dedication to excellence in academics (great grades, research experience, strong recommendation letters) and the practice of medicine (volunteering, shadowing, great MCAT scores) won’t get turned down just because they majored in animal science.</p>
<p>The issue with a animal science major is that focus is on domestic animals and veterinary medicine. While a top notch animal science program does include the basic sciences like chemistry, biology, physics and mathematics, medical school admissions committees may have a difficult time getting past the “domestic animal” and “agricultural” aspect of it and wonder if the applicant is more interested in livestock than humans. </p>
<p>[Side note: DH comes from a farming and ranching family. D1’s SO is a rancher and from a family that is many generations of ranchers. Running a farm or ranch these days is more akin to running a multi-million corporation than a small family business. It’s take tons of business saavy, science knowledge, practical common sense, and plenty of back-breaking labor. I have nothing but respect for the folks who do this and manage to make a living at it. But I will also say that there is discrimination in most academic circles for agricultural-related studies/fields. Mostly because most academics are “city folk”–or at least grew up in the 'burbs-- and don’t understand what it takes to successful in this very difficult business.]</p>
<p>(Seriously, I know of only 1 ag major [forest ecology] in medical school and she had to go earn a second degree in biochemistry and spend 4 years as EMT to get taken seriously by adcomms.)</p>
<p>As for the vocational majors not doing well in admission–see AMCAS data for allied health sciences majors–the closest proxy for vocational majors. As a group, they have lowest average MCAT scores of any major and the lowest overall acceptance rates.</p>
<p>Also a adcomm who posts to another message board (as well as several I know from our local med school) have mentioned that vocational majors do have an greater onus on them to prove they are interested in medicine than do other majors since they have spent the bulk of their undergrad career preparing for job that is not medicine. </p>
<p>Engineers are the odd group in that their specific major is not captured by the AAMC data, though I suppose that physical sciences are best approximation. (And physical science majors do quite well on both the MCAT and in admissions.) But for admission, engineers need to demonstrate quite clearly that medicine is their goal, not engineering.</p>
<p>I have told other individuals who were interested in “vocation” majors like nutrition and nursing–that having a vocational major will not prevent you from going to med school, but it will make your process more difficult.</p>
<p>No majors will get turned down, including those who graduated from the Conservatory of Music or Classical languages (Latin) as couple known to me examples. Nobody will turn down an applicant with the significatn interest in medicine that shows in his/her stats, ECs, MCAT score, personal development,…etc. It has been pointed out here on CC time and again…</p>
<p>My high school senior is interested in going to medical science. We have been talking to several doctors about the undergraduate major. One of our favorite doctors actually majored in Animal Sciences because, very similarly to @rholt9998, he liked working with animals. He is currently serving on an admissions committee, and said (just like @MiamiDAP indicates), the committee is looking for distinctive candidates, who have a passion for what they do. Science majors (including Animal Sciences) are very common because it is relatively easy to get your prerequisites (1 year organic chemistry, physics, etc.) But the key for medical school applicants is to find a passion – and execute on that passion. In some cases the more diverse the passion, the better, as long as you have good grades and the prereq classes.</p>
<p>We have also talked to a married couple who took the traditional route of majoring in biology as undergraduates, and they were very strongly committed to the idea of biology as an undergraduate major. However, that said, both also admitted a passion for biology, and acknowledged that is more important. </p>
<p>So, @rholt9998, if you’re passionate about Animal Science, I suggest you go for it. Just keep up on the MCAT 2015 requisite classes, and make sure you are eligible for med school when the time comes. Good luck!</p>
<p>Engineers are the odd group in that their specific major is not captured by the AAMC data, though I suppose that physical sciences are best approximation. (And physical science majors do quite well on both the MCAT and in admissions.) But for admission, engineers need to demonstrate quite clearly that medicine is their goal, not engineering.</p>
<p>I think med schools are starting to understand that eng’g as an undergrad major pairs well with med school and solutions.</p>
<p>My son just started med school and his “group” had to do a poster and presentation. His group consists of mostly engineers. Their poster incorporated their eng’g backgrounds and MRSA reduction in a way that impressed the med school so much that they’ve been encouraged to develop/market their idea and proposed product nationwide. </p>
<p>A group of typical bio or history major first year premeds probably would not have been able to come up with these solutions.</p>
<p>Maybe…maybe not. It depends on the interests of the individual.</p>
<p>D1 is currently testing the tensile strength of cadaver tendons used as transplants in orthopedic surgery. Thru the mechanical engineering dept. She’s not an engineer. D2 works with a group who is developing new neuoroimaging devices and protocols. She’s writing the code to interpet the raw data from the new devices into readable images. Why her and not one of the 17 BMEs in the group? Because she understands what the images are revealing and are supposed to look like. And like her sister–she’s not an engineer.</p>
<p>Keep in mind that having minor(s) or any combo of major(s)/mino(s) makes life for the UG student much more diverse and interesting, breaking the samo, samo. Most of D’s pre-med friends graduated with some kind of combo, including my D. while one of her friends graduated with triple majors, all in 4 years. I am talking about unrelated minors/majors, but some of them might be related. D. had Zoology major / Music Composition Minor / Neuroscience Minor and greaduated with the first 2, apprently completely unrelated, while Neuroscience was very much related to Zoology. The triple major graduated with Zoology / Spanish / Latin Studies majors, the last 2 related.<br>
You should pursue your various interests, but keep in mind to get as many As as possible in every single class. Your goal is ALWAYS an A, not A-, not B. Aim for the stars and there is a chance for you to reach the pick of the hill.</p>