<p>Hey guys, so I was browsing through the list of majors available at Vanderbilt, and I came across the "Medicine, Health, and Society Program." The website for this program didn't really go into great detail about it though. Could someone please explain any special opportunities this program would give a pre-med student as opposed to majoring in Biology or Chemistry? Thanks!</p>
<p>I agree about the website not being detailed, but after a visit to campus I think I understand. I’ll be a freshman at vandy next year, lookng to double major in MHS and political science. From what I understand, it focuses more on the social and business and political aspects of medicine as well as serving as a pre-med option. So rather than focusing on the technical side as with chemistry and biology it’s more focus on the human relations and social aspects.</p>
<p>Thanks for the info! I am currently completing a transfer application to Vanderbilt, and that program caught my attention because there is nothing like it at my current institution. It definitely seems like it’s one of a kind.</p>
<p>Classes fill up quick! Real Quick!</p>
<p>I will second the point made by El Taco Grande. My D, a junior, got bumped from two MHS classes for this spring semester and had to scramble to come up with replacement classes (neither of which will count for her MHS major). I don’t know if Vandy’s registration system is unique, but it includes a process where you register for your classes and then several weeks later you find out if you are bumped out of any. This is the first time it has happened to my daughter. I suspect that the courses she was bumped from are given first to seniors who need them to graduate (but I am only speculating).</p>
<p>MHS is unique because it was actually a major that someone created for themselves, and it became a real major after much expressed interest from other students. As vandy14 said, it’s a major that’s good for people who want to work in the medicine/health industry without exactly being a doctor (although being pre-med and MHS is a pretty popular option too). I think it’s pretty popular because many Vandy freshmen come in saying that they’re pre-med, but a large, large majority end up switching elsewhere, and MHS is something similar without being as overwhelming as pre-med.</p>
<p>My daughter is a junior majoring in MHS. She really enjoys the classes. If the courses appeal to you, it’s a great major. She does not plan to do anything in the health care field, to be honest. She just truly likes the material covered. Since she has always expected to go to grad/professional school, she was less worried about what her undergrad major is called than she has been about expanding her knowledge base. </p>
<p>She says there are quite a few students who want to go to med school in her major, along with some future lawyers, some interested in public health, etc. Her advice is to research the classes that are offered/required within the major. If you like it … go for it.</p>