<p>For as long as I can remember, I've always loved politics. However, I will probably be looking towards medical school and a career in the medical field as a lifelong profession. As college is the last real opportunity you get to explore what you want, I was wondering if it is really feasible to major in political science or international relations while still taking classes that will put me on the premed path to do well on MCATs and get into grad school. I don't know if it will make any difference, but if everything goes according to plan, I will already have 48 units before I begin in the fall. What would you guys suggest doing?</p>
<p>Minor in poli sci and major in premed. The poli sci minor is very small (only 4 classes to fufill the minor). I am a poli sci major (soon to change because poli sci sucks and is very boring). Or vice versa, major in poli sci (hahaha) and take some premed courses (why would any one want to do that, i have no idea)</p>
<p>Take political science (or i.r.) as a major if you are very interested in it and also take the MCAT required courses. Medical school admissions committees have no problem with and, in fact, are attracted to candidates who demonstrate a relatively wide view of the world. If you can take a few classes on topics like public policy or medical ethics or medical sociology (which, given your politics interests, you would probably like), this would add a lot to your perspective as a medical practitioner.</p>
<p>I have several friends with English B.A.s who are doctors, and others in the medical field with social science and arts backgrounds. Another friend has a graduate degree in an international health field after a history degree.</p>
<p>Backgrounds like those will enrich your practice of medicine and may spur you to work on national or international medical issues/medicine.</p>
<p>At UCLA, IR is a sub-division of the political science major. Overall, you are a poli sci major but you take more IR courses for that special focus. Just take the required math & science classes for medical school in conjunction with your major's requirements. If you decide not to pursue pre-med in the end, you will at least have a couple of science classes down that will count as GEs. :)</p>
<p>Just got my AP scores in. I'll have 40 units. Would double majoring be reasonable? After all, I do want an active social life.</p>
<p>Pre-med isn't a major if that's what you're asking. In general - what fields are you interested in for double-majoring? Yes, it's reasonable. As for your AP units - for the most part, they don't count towards your overall unit-cap for graduation. They get you out of some intro classes or are used as placement in the case of the AP English classes. Look up "AP UCLA Policies" or something like that to find out what credits you'll get and what it means to any courses you bypass. </p>
<p>Look up "CIS UCLA STUDY AREA" and look up the requirements for the majors that you're interested in.</p>
<p>Thanks. I was just considering something like biology that would help me for MCATs or grad school.</p>
<p>Brassman271,</p>
<p>How many poli sci courses have you taken at UCLA so far? What's your statement based on? Take a good prof or two and you might be surprised!</p>
<p>apples07,</p>
<p>I'd do the minor. The pre-med course load is pretty hefty, and you'll want tons of free units for it. </p>
<p>Oh, and UCLA IR is pretty bad right now. I'd consider comparative-- they have a lot more interesting courses to choose from. But that's just my opinion.</p>