<p>Is it prudent to major in Biology and minor in Chemistry??</p>
<p>What’s you goal? To get into a great med school pgm? Then why minor in Chem? Really?</p>
<p>My sons doctor told him that by majoring in Bio and minoring in Chemistry he would be prepared to take the MCAT at end of Soph year giving him a leg up. Your thoughts??</p>
<p>For most universities, if you are a bio major & pre-med, you usually are a Chemistry minor because you take Gen chem, orgo, and biochem.</p>
<p>Biochemistry is a very strong major at Penn. There is a huge emphasis on research in the major so naturally there are a lot of opportunities especially in biomedical areas. It way more chemistry based than molecular biology, you actually do not take the intro bio sequence but begin the major with physics and chemistry. Later on you must take organic, biochem, and physical chemistry. It is a very tough major but people seem to find great opportunities with it after they graduate.</p>
<p>Thx All. We’re looking for advice on the most efficient track to prepare for the MCAT. My son is 100% sure he wants to be a Dr. He’s a very determined and focused young man. We’ll see how that plays out.</p>
<p>I would not choose a major based on how well it prepares one for the MCAT. The attrition rate for premeds is considerably high, it seems most don’t make it past freshman year. This is not only because of grades, many students just find that their interests are different than they had originally thought.
At this age your son has absolutely no idea what it is like to be a doctor so he should not be completely set on becoming one. My father is a surgeon and claims that no amount of schooling can prepare you for the experience of becoming a doctor. Not even your performance in medical can fully predict how you will do in the beginning of your career. That’s why it is important to keep an open mind and focus on learning rather than jumping through hoops.
That being said, I think the biochemistry major would better prepare one for a career in science or medicine because it is more quantitative.</p>