Math major pre-med?

<p>Hello. I have hopes of going to medical school and am not too sure what to major in as an undergrad. I have a passion for both science and math (probably more so math) but I haven't heard much about pre-med paired with math. If I have a die-hard passion for math, even though I want to become a doctor in the end, would mathematics be a feasible major for me or should I stick with biology, biochemistry, or even biomedical engineering? Although I'm pretty confident in my ability to get into medical school I don't want to be completely screwed if I don't get into medical schools as I would not enjoy being a biology professor or mathematician. Engineering would be my second choice to medicine.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.aamc.org/data/facts/2005/mcatgpabymaj1.htm%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.aamc.org/data/facts/2005/mcatgpabymaj1.htm&lt;/a>
This website shows that not many mathematics majors apply to medical school. However, it also shows that the average math major has higher scores on all MCAT sections and a higher GPA then the average biological science major. It also shows that math majors hal ve a slightly better change of getting into medical school. Also if this means anything, my first choice as to speciality if I were to become a physician would be radiology because I enjoy the combined technology/medicine aspects of the job. If this wouldn't work out then I would also not mind being a pediatrician, surgeon, or anesthesiologist. Any thoughts?</p>

<p>You can major in whatever you have a passion for, in your case math. Your major isn't a factor during the application process. All that matters are your grades (in premed courses), your mcat score, and your EC's.</p>

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<p>Absolutely true that you can major in anything. Math, engineering or physics are ideal majors for a future radiologist. This will count when you are applying for residency, but it will neither help nor hurt you when you apply to medical school. If you have passion for math, then by all means major in it.</p>

<p>i believe majoring in an un-common major would give you a better chance of getting accepted at med schools compared to the admit rate of majors such as bio etc... Med schools like to diversify the student body and this basically means students of different majors. they don't want a student body full of bio majors. there has to be a somewhat diverse student body. majoring in math, or an unpopular major would even show the person's persistence to a passion. so yeah dude, majoring in math is totally fine. just do well in your pre-med courses. as well as your mcat and your Extra Curriculars. but hey, if worse comes to worse, a degree in engineering which is your second choice is alreqdy complemented by your math major.. on another hand, why not major in engineering instead? </p>

<p>ironically, im a bio major. but i like biology so yeah.</p>

<p>True, I should consider majoring in engineering because it gives me more safety if my hopes for medical school were to go astray and it will probably be more interesting. However, I'm just worried that it will be too much work for me and that I will get unsatisfactory grades. I really want to be a doctor so any kind of possible hindrance I am cautious with. However, since I express a talent in math, should engineering still be a problem?</p>

<p>I am a chemistry and math double major applying to medical school. But yeah you can do a single major. Math is a tough major too, depending on where you go. At least at Maryland its just as if not harder than engineering.</p>

<p>One of my college roommates was a math superstar. (He won the Putnam in his junior year.) He got his PhD in math, then after a few years switched gears and went to med school. He now is a psychiatrist near Boston.</p>

<p>Another friend of mine majored in economics before going to med school. So it can certainly be done.</p>

<p>umm i dont think it matters if you major in something "unique" because what does that mean? The whole point of a college education is to pursue your passions. If you are passionate about biology major in it. Also, i have never heard or your undergrad major affecting residency chances.</p>

<p>having an uncommon major doesn't help you at all I believe, under the whole 'your major doesn't matter thing.' same goes for single vs. double major; everyone takes the same premed requirements, so the med schools really couldn't cre less how you fill up the rest of your schedule. On the bio major note, the statistics show it to be the only one with a (very slight) difference between the % applying and % accepted in terms of comprising med school classes, however I think this can probably be chalked up to the fact that many premeds default to bio as their major, so in that pool are probably most of the weaker med school applicants who lacked the drive to go out of their way to fill their requirements (this isn't meant as a knock on bio majors, as I am one, just explaining away the idea that having such a 'common' major would hurt you).</p>

<p>If I were to go to JHU or Duke on a BME major would that make a difference in my medical school application since these are the top 2 undergrad engineering schools?</p>

<p>No. Major in BME because that is what you want to do, not because you think it will help you get into med school. For admissions purposes, the best major is something in which you will be well prepared for the MCATs, and get high grades.</p>

<p>I am a Maths major in a top school and have Medical School ambition. I will like to take off for one year after graduation before entering into Medical school. What do you think my one year off work experience should be which will help my admission into Medical School.I will very much want something in a hospital or medical. Will it be possible with a major in Mathematics?</p>

<p>As a math major you know much, much more math than you need to be a doctor. However, there will be jobs that take advantage of your abilities, and even more if you have some computer skills. You could get a research position as a standard undergrad on the way to med school, and you might be particularly appealing to someone who needs an assistant who can handle some more technical work. </p>

<p>If you want to be involved in clinical work you are probably talking volunteer positions, since few people graduating college have enough clinical skills to do anything useful.</p>