<p>Hello,
I am a rising high school senior and trying to decide on a major. I have an immense passion to go to med school and become a surgeon but I know the only 50% of applicants actually get accepted into med school. So my question is what should I major in before med school? I also love computers and new technology, so was thinking about a major in something like computer networks and telecommunications to fall back on should I be rejected from med school, but I do know that an engineering major will bring down a GPA which looks bad for med school. I read that Econ is a good major to fall back on if med school doesn't work out.
Any advice would be appreciated.</p>
<p>Actually, only about 37-40% of applicants gain an acceptance to med school. (And 60-75% of freshmen pre-meds never even end up applying to med school. Lots of winnowing going on before it’s even time to apply.)</p>
<p>How about applied math/statistics? It has better a job outlook than the typical bio/chem/biochem major.</p>
<p>Computer science? Econ? BME? ChemE?</p>
<p>(FWIW, both my Ds, both applied math majors, are now in med school.)</p>
<p>You could do comp sci with a premed track (my son’s undergrad offers that).</p>
<p>My son was a chemE major because he wanted a fall back career in case he didnt go to med school. </p>
<p>Oh, and the fallback position for math major #1 was health physics; fallback for math major #2 was biostatistics.</p>
<p>“a major in something like computer networks and telecommunications to fall back on should I be rejected from med school, but I do know that an engineering major will bring down a GPA”
-This is very confusing. First you are talking aboutn "computer networks and telecommunications ", then you are talking about engineering. So, which one you have in mind? Loving to be in front of computers is not the same as designing them (engineers) or writing software for them (which does not require engineering degree). And did you research a job market for Econ. majors? We can say whatever here based on our personal experiences, however, it goes back to your own decision based on your passions (academic and otherwise), ability level in different classes, ability to manage your time and many other factors. Your post is suggesting that you have not done enough fo a serious research. Do it now! Nobody can tell what you personally love and your chances at making in whatever you choose. If you have an “immense passion to go to med school”, then you do not need a “fall back major”, correct? </p>
<p>If you are not a strong student in math and/or dislike math, I highly advise against majoring in mathematics or statistics. In addition, most jobs math or stat related jobs require a degree beyond a bachelor’s.</p>
<p>Engineering is a great major because you do not need a graduate degree to find a decent job. Economics is also good for some business related jobs.</p>
<p>^Just keep in mind that both engineering (more than any other major) and econ. require a strong math background. Disliking math while doing these majors might not be an option. In fact, I believe you have to be vey passionate for math.</p>
<p>Ok, thanks for the replies! I don’t have a problem with math… I do take math courses that are above my grade level but I have never been a “math” person. </p>
<p>dont major in math unless you are a math person and love math.</p>
<p>so, you’re not a math person…what kind of person are you? liberal arts? foreign languages? music? what?</p>
<p>I don’t get whar the question? You can major in anything you like…so major in what you want to do if you don’t get into medschool. My daughte majored in Classics…probably would have gone to grad degree on that. Do you like art, math, womans studies etc? Nobody but you can answer your question.</p>