Hello! So I will be attending USC in the fall and I am a Bio Sciences major on a premed track. I also wanted to minor in Ceramics because I’m interested and have always loved creative arts. I am very good at time management and know I will be able to balance it out. But I understand that I can always drop the minor if my GPA suffers because being on a premed track is very time demanding. However, my real question is that would medical school admissions disapprove of my being a ceramics minor? I know I will be able to combine ceramics and science in interesting ways and also for research. Thank you so much. I appreciate the answers.
The short answer is med schools will not care one bit. Long answer is that med schools only require a bachelor’s degree along with premed reqs. To earn a BS/BA degree one needs to complete the schools required number of units, typically completing so many GE, major, and “other” units. If those “other” units are in a specific area (eg ceramics) that’s fine. Other premeds might choose a broader variety of “other” units out of interest, or to have a broader learning experience, or because they can create tighter class schedules, or because they can take perceived easier courses to help with GPA. It doesn’t matter. Good luck.
Medical schools will not care what your major or minor in as long as you take the required classes needed for the MCAT/medical school. Personally, I think that will be great to minor in something you are passionate about. It can be your escape from the rest of your classes.
On the other hand, can it be beneficial if I show a strong passion for creative arts and combine it with medicine through my research/extra curricular?
It’s just impossible to know the benefit, if any, any one particular med school or any one particular admission committee member reviewing your app would give to your passion in creative arts. If you’re interested in creative arts, it doesn’t interfere with your GPA, you have time for ECs, time for a college life, then go for it. A background in creative arts could be your Plan B if your interest in med school fades for any reason.
I think med schools LIKE students with varied interests IF you are strong in you med school requirements. Go for it!
While med school admission is looking for high GPA, (especially in pre-req subjects), and high GMAT scores, they also want a well rounded person. I think that ceramics will add another dimension to your application. My daughter who is now in Vet school majored in marine bio and visual arts. She also had extensive, published research, hundreds of hours of direct working with primates, volunteer hours, vet tech job and travel abroad. You need to layer your experiences and add depth to your application.
www.princetonreview.com/med-school-advice/make-your-medical-school-application-stand-out