Schools doesn't offer pre-med major, what to do?

<p>I was thinking about majoring in biology with a minor in economics. Would this be okay for med school requirements. Also, what is the best degree I can get that would allow me to pursue a career in medicine, biotechnology, or business? Lastly, is biosystems engineering a solid undergrad. degree?</p>

<p>I have heard from many peoples that your academics as an undergraduate should be what interests you the most, not what YOU think will give you higher chances of getting into med school (or any graduate school I guess). I think nowadays that med schools are looking for individuals who have backgrounds (ie: majors) apart from the sciences. At my high-school's career day, an alumni spoke of his journey towards an MD with a BA in English. For your first question, I'd say pursue a major in what you are truly interested in, not what you think will help you in med school (where you will be taught extensively the sciences, etc.). </p>

<p>I don't know about your other questions but I hope I helped you a bit.</p>

<p>You sure did, thanks. My interest lies in a mathematics degree, but I don't see that as being useful in the future. I'll have to think it over.</p>

<p>My best friend is pre-med, and she is a history major. As long as you complete the course requirements for the med schools, it doesn't matter what your actual major was.</p>

<p>"I think nowadays that med schools are looking for individuals who have backgrounds (ie: majors) apart from the sciences. "</p>

<p>As a note, when I said that I didn't mean that people who DO major in the sciences have a lower chance of being accepted compared to those who do not major in the sciences (I don't know of any reports/statistics that would answer this). Instead, I meant to say that med schools will not reject an applicant simply because he/she did not major in a science.</p>

<p>Majoring in a non-science will help set you apart from other applicants. I saw a stat a couple years ago that purported that philosophy majors have the highest rate of acceptance to med school. Anyway, math is certainly different from the natural sciences, so go for it. Just remember: 1 year each of bio, gen chem, o-chem, and physics are necessary.</p>

<p>As far as prepping for biotech and business, a microbio major w/ a minor in either biotech or business/econ sounds like a good plan. However, math would be the way to go if that's what you really enjoy. Good luck!</p>

<p>If you enjoy math you should think about doing a double major in Economics and Statistics, and take advance math based econ courses if your school offers it. Really don't do something for money, do what you enjoy, because if you do a job or major you hate what's the point.</p>

<p>but be careful- some schools with really really strict requirements will make it difficult to get your pre-med requirements done in 4 yrs. if it's non-science</p>

<p>no schools actually have a major called "pre-med". Well, maybe one or two do, but its a rarity. "pre-med" is a label you give yourself, just like "pre-law" or pre-anything. To be eligible for admission into med school you have to take 2 years chem, 1 year physics, 1 year biology. That's it as far as the minimums (some schools also require calculus). </p>

<p>To get into med school you need a good gpa, mcat scores, essays, letters of rec, and volunteer experience. Even if you're in HS, its not too early to get a book about med school admissions so you understand the criteria and process. Considerable info is also available on the web.</p>

<p>BTW as you're considering colleges be sure to check if they will write a "summary letter" for anyone who has completed the requirements to apply to med school. Some colleges are able to boast of high acceptance because they refuse to write letters for kids they think aren't strong candidates; without the letter you can't apply so the college looks better but the student is screwed.</p>