<p>I'm a junior in high school and I was wondering if music major is better or pre med major is better? I'm planning to major in piano performance, but these days I'm having second thoughts. (If I do major in music Im planning to get masters also, if I can doc. ) It seems like there would be less job opportunities than med students. I know both music and med students study really hard to pursue their dreams, but med students make more money unless you become famous in the music field (but much harder to do than completing med-school *this is just my opinion, correct me if im wrong ^^) Practicing numerous hours + the extra study (history, theory, etc.) music major have to do and the courses pre-med and med students have to do seems like they add up to the same amound of hours of study. But music majors dont make as much as med students. Can anyone give me some advice b/w music career or med? Also is it hard to become a music professor? (this is what I want to do if I major in music)</p>
<p>Hi shsjj,
Look at the thread musicians and parents - Introduce yourself! There is some info about being an MD there.</p>
<p>Since managed care, and extensive malpractice litigation, life in the medical field is much harder and not nearly as lucrative. While medical school tuitions continue to rise, salaries (except in a few specialties) have not kept pace, and malpractice insurance premiums have gone through the roof.</p>
<p>That said, I think you go with your heart. If I had a child intent on working in a medical profession, I would never dissuade him/her, just as I haven't with my child intent on a musical career. I do think you can make "steadier" money in medicine, but it isn't an easy life either, so whatever you choose to do, just make sure you are 100% into it, and choosing it because it is what you love, not because you think it will make you wealthy.</p>
<p>My son, when he was your age, also planned to go into medicine, even though he also loved music, for many of the reasons you list, as well as a strong interest in science. (He also loves working with people and is a very compassionate person, so it did fit his personality.) He originally planned to major in music, but take pre-med classes as well, and then go on to med. school. As college drew closer, however, he came to realize that music was his true passion, and that he could not be happy giving it up for any other field. So he is now a trumpet performance major, hoping to someday play in a symphony. </p>
<p>Where do you feel you would be truly satisfied and fulfill your passion? If you have no particular passion for music, that is probably not a good field to pursue, as it is very difficult to make a good living there. If you cannot imagine yourself doing anything else than music, then go for it!</p>
<p>AMC</a> - Research Briefs: Did You Know?</p>
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[quote]
Did You Know?
Music majors are the most likely group of college grads to be admitted to medical school. Physician and biologist Lewis Thomas studied the undergraduate majors of medical school applicants. He found that 66 percent of music majors who applied to med school were admitted, the highest percentage of any group. For comparison, (44 percent) of biochemistry majors were admitted. Also, a study of 7,500 university students revealed that music majors scored the highest reading scores among all majors including English, biology, chemistry and math.
Sources: "The Comparative Academic Abilities of Students in Education and in Other Areas of a Multi-focus University," Peter H. Wood, ERIC Document No. ED327480
"The Case for Music in the Schools," Phi Delta Kappan, February, 1994
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<p>This study has been mentioned before. I take this with a grain of salt - if you're comparing hundreds of pre-med majors vs. a handful of music majors, the statistics might not really be that meaningful. But I post it to remind you that a music major doesn't necessarily preclude you from something else later on.</p>
<p>Adding on to binx's "a music major doesn't necessarily preclude you from something else later on"... as long as you take (and do extremely well in ) the basic required courses for admittance which are 2 semesters each of English, Calc., Bio, Chem, Organic Chem. and Physics PLUS ace the MCATs and have great recommendations!</p>