Mind, Brain, and Behavior vs. Medicine and Society

Colleges and Universities A-Z Washington University in St. Louis
1

Hi! I am an incoming freshman at WashU, and I would really like to do one of these special first-year classes. However, I am having some trouble deciding between two. I am pre-med, and I originally applied intending to major in PNP. While PNP certainly does still interest me, the more I learn about medical anthropology, the more interested I have become in that. The Mind, Brain, and Behavior class seems like the best/easiest way to get on track for the PNP major, although I know there is also a way to become a part of the major without taking the class. However, I think Medicine and Society sounds like an amazing program, and it involves getting either a minor or a major in anthropology. Would it be possible to take the Medicine and Society class (eventually getting the anthopology major/minor), while still staying on track to major in PNP as well? Does anyone have any advice or personal experience to offer about either of these classes?

In addition, I am concerned about securing a spot in the classes because you have to apply to get into them. Am I allowed to apply to both or only one? If I could apply to both, could I get into both and then choose? Or would I only get into one? I know Medicine and Society requires two short essays for the application, while MBB is just based on a first-come, first-serve basis. I am concerned that if I am allowed to apply to both and indicate M&S as my first choice, I might not get into it and then also not get into MBB because I indicated it as my second choice. Then I wouldn’t have a spot in either of these awesome programs.

Sorry, I have so many questions! Thank you in advance to anyone who takes the time to answer!

2

Congrats! You will be meeting up with your adviser this summer to sign up for classes. I would talk to her to get their advice. :slight_smile:

3

If you want to major in PNP, MBB is the best way to go. It fulfills intro PNP prereqs and some other stuff. Keep in mind that this freshmen seminar technically lasts 4 semesters long (though you can choose not to continue with it at any point in between). First semester you take MBB 1 and second semester you take MBB 2. MBB 1 is more focused on psych and neuroscience (though you do do some philosophy) while MBB2 is more focussed on philosophy. Once you complete both of those you can take MBB 300 which is research in mind brain behavior (you get paired with a faculty member and do research with them for two semesters. The faculty will most likely have have neuroscience, psychology, of philosophy backgrounds).

You can major in PNP and take the other freshmen seminar you are talking about, you just have to take the intro PNP requirements (there are two of them).

Also imo MBB 1 is pretty poorly taught (again this is just my opinion). But I enjoyed the other parts of MBB (MBB 2 and 300).