<p>I am going into my sophomore year of college as a pre med student and am still unsure of my major. I'm working my way through the pre med reqs, but I am torn between majoring in psychology or economics. I am interested in both majors pretty equally, but I think that economics is a better fallback major in case I decide to opt out of pre med. Which major has a better chance of getting me into med school assuming I keep my GPA high, do well on the MCATS, have good extra currics, etc?</p>
<p>Neither (equal chances). Economics is a great major, and as a social science major myself, you won't be disappointed with either if you're interested in both.</p>
<p>The fact that your good at economics is a plus. Given the more passionate you are in a subject, the better you do coursewise and GPA wise.</p>
<p>You'll have a tough time convincing clinical practicioners of what relevance an economics degree has to pursuiting a degree in medicine. You'll have to plan, think, and execute that very well in your personal statement.</p>
<p>I mean, they can probably sense that it might be a fallback major just incase you don't get into med school. Ever more reason to reject, unless a powerful reason is delievered on how an economics background had led you to pursue a degree in medicine.</p>
<p>^ Points to #3. You will be expected to explain why you're doing this and what relevance it has to medicine; "it's a good backup" will be considered a very poor reason.</p>
<p>However, very good reasons do exist and can be explained in the PS and interview. That will turn your major into a strength, just like bad explanations will turn it into a weakness. In other words, it's not the major itself -- it's your reasons for doing it.</p>
<p>"unless a powerful reason is delievered on how an economics background had led you to pursue a degree in medicine."</p>
<p>what would be an example of a good reason? thanks for the feedback, everyone. i think i'm leaning towards the economics major right now, but i'm afraid that i will not be able to provide a good argument for why i chose it in relation to medicine, as most of you have mentioned.</p>
<p>I'm of the opinion that you don't necessarily have to relate your major to medicine (although there are certainly reasons why a degree in economics will aid you in your career as a physician and you will get brownie points for connecting econ to med). After all, if relevance to medicine was a huge issue, we'd all be majoring in bio. Instead, med schools encourage fine arts majors, music majors, physics majors, etc. to apply. </p>
<p>However, you will probably have to explain why you like economics (what about it fascinates you and why is it intellectually stimulating). Calling it a good backup probably won't fly because the answer to the interview question "What are you going to do if you don't get into med school this year?" is "Try try again."</p>
<p>I agree with norcalguy. If you can show that you're qualified in your science pre-reqs, and you do just as well in a non-scientific field, it'll demonstrate to med schools that you're well-balanced and capable. They don't just want "science nerds" to become doctors ;)</p>