<p>Hi. So I am starting out as a freshman at Penn and plan on going to medical school. I want to graduate within 3 or 3.5 years (preferably 3). However, I want to pursue a major in biochemistry, which may take longer. Does the identity of your major affect chances of med school admissions? For example, would a biochemistry major have an advantage over a biology major? Or would a biology/economics double major have an advantage over a chemistry major? Also, does finishing your undergrad before 4 years put you at a disadvantage when applying to medical schools? Thanks.</p>
<p>Basically, you can take any major when you’re an undergraduate, as long as you are taking the neccesary classes needed to ace the MCAT you will have to take. You can major in ANYTHING, but your counselor should advise you on which medical classes to take to prepare you. No one has an advantage over another if you do not take a certain major. I think 3 years is very impression, but be sure you study hard for the MCAT. Your MCAT score determines if you actually get into medical school.</p>
<p>There would be no difference between the majors you are contemplating. Major in whatever “academic” field excites you. You’ll do better and have a better time doing it. </p>
<p>Graduating in 3 years would put you at a disadvantage.</p>
<p>I just had this discussion on Friday with the parents of a Penn grad. It is virtually impossible to graduate from Penn in three years…they intentionally make it that way.</p>
<p>The ONLY way you could possibly do it would be to really overload on classes each semester. This is definitely not a wise course of action based on the academic rigor/work load of pre-med classes in general and the need to maintain a very high GPA. Simply attending Penn isn’t going to compensate for a poor (in Med schools’ view) GPA. In addition you will never have the time to do the requisite ECs, research, shadowing etc needed for Med school admission.</p>
<p>And, as curmudgeon has already said, even if it could be done, it would be a disadvantage to you.</p>
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<p>Why? All other reasons aside, it would be a logistical nightmare. How would you do interviews? Your GPA would be based on only 2 years of study instead of 3. And I don’t know about you, but I’m having a blast in college. Why cut it short?</p>
<p>I knew what I wanted to do with my life years ago and I wanted to get started as soon as possible. To this end, I cut a couple years off my primary and secondary school education. This is the perfect solution for someone who wants to get an early start in life. But unlike skipping grades in middle or high school where you miss NOTHING, you should use all four years in college to increase the breadth and depth of your knowledge. It will make you a more interesting person. :)</p>