Hello,
I am a senior in high school and want to go for pre med. I want to do a major in microBiology or chemistry, however, i can’t decide. Somebody told me double majoring would be good but i dont know how that works? Like how do I dual major? can i do it?
I was a Microbiology major in college and only needed 1 extra class to get a minor in Chemistry since the curriculum was very Chemistry heavy. You might consider this option.
@Gumbymom oh thanks for the information…yeah i did some research and double major is quite hectic so I might just go for microbiology and a minor in chemistry…BTW can i do a minor in any other subject?..like maybe English coz I like English.
There’s an argument against double majoring or minoring – it limits you from really sampling many other areas b/c of the increased demand on your schedule b/c of the minor or 2nd major.
In the real world (i.e. hiring managers or grad school admissions), minors are practically worthless IMHO. If it’s a discipline that really calls to you, fine. (hahah, I was only one class away from double majoring in History, myself). But to do it to beef up your CV? That’s a myth.
@T26E4 hey, thanks for your comment…okay so what I summarize is that it can be quite limiting 
so if i go with microbiology can I take classes in what interests me? I personally will want to do some in English or creative writing.
And one more thing, as a premed minoring in chemistry , would that be beneficial for me for future? as in medicine?
@Sanazulfi It is well known that Microbiology requires at least General and Organic Chemistry. I don’t think double majoring or minoring Chemistry will add anything significant to your resume.
The only reason I minored in Chemistry was it was one additional class. Definitely would have not pursued the minor if it required additional time to finish the degree. I did end up working in Chemistry for 20 years but it probably made little difference with the minor or not. If you want to minor in a subject for your own personal interest, that is fine but I agree that it will not add anything to your resume.
@SculptorDad @Gumbymom thank you both for your insightful comments I now understand very well…I guess I will go with just microbiology and if hopefully I get accepted I will see how it goes from there onwards…I definitely don’t want extra stress
You asked
While having only 1 major will give more freedom in the selecting your classes, you can’t just take everything that interests you. Your major will have required classes in biology, chemistry, physics, calculus, statistics, and at some colleges, computer programming.
Additionally, all colleges have what are called “general education requirements”. GE requirements vary by school, but commonly include communication skills/expository writing, humanities, social sciences, foreign language and, at some colleges, physical education. You will need to fulfill GE requirements to earn your degree.
So you’ll have some freedom in your course selections, but not complete freedom to take just anything & everything you want. There just won’t be room in your schedule.
Since pre-med requirements now include 5 semesters of chemistry (gen chem, ochem and biochem), you may qualify for a minor at your college with just those 5 classes, or perhaps with those 5 plus 1 or 2 additional classes. It may be worth checking that out.
The benefit of chem minor for med school admission is negligible, but it may be useful career-wise in your future should you not gain an acceptance to medical school.*** Just a thought.
***And I hate to be Debbie Downer, but you need to know in advance that it’s extraordinarily difficult for an international student to get an acceptance at a US medical school. Fewer than 200 internationals are accepted to all US medical schools combined in a given year–and ~90% of those accepted are Canadians.
One of the biggest obstacles for international students is finding the financing to pay for med school–which typically costs in the $300,000-$500,000 range for internationals. Every med school that accepts internationals has a requirement that you place anywhere from 1-4 years worth of tuition & fees (and sometimes living expenses) in an escrow account BEFORE you are allowed to enroll. International students are not eligible for federal loans and most other forms of financial aid at US med schools. Private loans for med school require a qualified US citizen or permanent resident co-signer.
@WayOutWestMom thank you so much for your detailed answer It really cleared some fog in my mind…Yeah. I understand that I can’t take whatever my heart wishes
Now on to med school…well I understand the challenges around that and still want to pursue med in USA. I know the financial difficulty and my parents too, but my Dad has always supported me and wants to fund my education ( He is a doctor and his dream is that I do med from places like USA or Austraila) …while I know I might not be able to make it, i still want to give it a shot
What are your other thoughts about med school? I mean would it still me hard if I am willing to pay? I really appreciate the guidance.
It’s still hard even if your family is able to pay 100% of your expenses.
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fewer than half of all US medical schools say they will “consider” international students for admission (and only maybe a only a dozen admit more than 1 or 2 international students each year)
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those schools that will consider internationals for admission, place internationals in a separate admission pool where they compete against other internationals, not against US applicants, for those very limited available international seats. At some schools Canadians are separated out of the international pool and given preference above other internationals.
You need to be aware that internationals are also at a disadvantage in getting a residency placement in the US even if they do graduate from a US med school. Most programs will not consider internationals because of the programs don’t want to deal with visa issues. (And with the new computerized residency management software that was introduced 2 years ago, it’s all too easy for the PD to simply click on the ‘visa not required’ option and screen out all internationals applicants before downloading applications to review.) Internationals who do match into a US residency typically match into non-competitive specialties (primary care, neurology, psychiatry) at rural and non-academic programs.
I’m not sure if med school in Australia is a better option. Australian med schools appear to be much more open to accepting international students (both in the direct admit from high school programs and graduate entry programs), but it’s all but impossible for internationals to get a residency position in Australia. I’ll also mention that getting specialty certified in Australia takes significantly longer than it does in the US.
If you really want to practice medicine in the US, it may be an easier & less expensive route to go to med school in your home country, take the USMLEs and apply for Match through the ECFMG–but even then the odds are not in your favor. To practice in Australia, you’d need to complete both med school and your specialty training, get board certified in your specialty in your home country, then apply through the specialist pathway. (Unless you’re willing to spend 10 years serving as a GP in a designated medically underserved region–aka the Outback–to get an Australian medical license.)
@WayOutWestMom oh okay, now I understand very well However, practicing medicine in the US is not my dream or passion, it’s studying in the US…even IF I won’t make it , I will know that at least I tried, it’s something that I really want and want to give it my best shot
I really appreciate your information and not getting residency is alright as well
If you don’t particularly want to practice medicine in the US, why do you want to attend a US medical school? What’s your end goal?
If one wants to be doctor, it’s always best to study medicine in the country where one will live & practice because medical studies, practice and regulations vary from country to country.
I can understand that you may want to prestige and freedom of studying for undergraduate degree in the US, but it makes no sense and is a terrible waste of your time, money & effort to obtain a graduate medical degree that you don’t intend to use.
Typically, your major will take up 25-30% of your total classes, 30-40% will be general education requirements (you have to pick among dozens of classes in specific categories, like “Humanities”), and the rest is up to you (called “electives”).
You don’t have to take a minor in order to study a subject of interest. You could take 6 extra English classes of your choice, and not hav declared a minor. Or take 4, and 3 in history. Or whatever you want.
Depending on the college, you’d take from 32 intensive classes to 40 less heavy classes, and anything in-between.
Depending on your major, you may have a few premed classes you should take in addition to your major and gen eds, but few.
The premed pre-rqs comprised in gen eds typically include: psychology, sociology, English, calculus, statistics, two science courses, one diversity-focused class.
The classes not included above would be: 1 bio class, 4 chem classes. If you major in chemistry, biochemisry, or microbiology, some of these will automatically be in the classes required for your major.
I have seen the problems of pre-med track students who are there just for “studying” over and over again, as I have seen many kids failed to realize the risk being in the pre-med track and could not get into a med school, including a niece who went to MIT. Its a total waste of time and money to take those pre-med courses and fail to be accepted by med school.
Pre-med track is a series of courses that med school requires, but not necessarily useful to find a job in the society. Its intended for students to prepare whats going to be learned in med school and become a doctor, it is not for some one’s job resume. If you cannot make it in Med school, you really have to think twice take the pre-med track.
Well, there are two cases:
- a “premed major” that’s typically for weaker students who can’t hack the premed pre-reqs on top of the requirements for a full major => NOT a good idea
- a set of courses for premed, which come in addition to a regular major in anything (English, music, or philosophy are quite appreciated as being able to being a top student both in science and in a completely different field is valued, as does the fact you bring in something different from the thousands of biology majors. This isn’t to say the bio majors aren’t appreciated either, but they stand out less :p).
Well, lets face it, if a Humanity or social science major has a 3.0 sGPA in premed courses, I don’t see what added value there is to his job application? A 3.0 sgpa is not med school worthy and it won’t give some hiring manager any more confidence in using this person in his “out standing” accomplishments for introductory basic sciences.
Hm, as I said, the student has to be a TOP student in BOTH humanities AND science.
SO, top 10-20% in biology with bio majors, top 10-20% in chemistry with chemistry majors, top 10-20% in physics with physics majors, AND of course top 10% in English, or Russian, or Philosophy, or Anthropology…
Essentially, only top students get into med school.
Most hiring managers will want to see that some courses have been taken and successfully so, but most important will be the internships, the overall resume, what the graduate can do. What matters most is skills. At most businesses, a 3.0 with two good internships will beat a 3.7 with zero. Obviously 3.7 and two good internships wins hands down.
@MYOS1634 Thank you so much for your insightful comments…haha I understand that mean a bio major can be boring However, I truly just like Biology, even if I didn’t want to do Medicine, I would have gone with bio major as it is a subject I am truly good at and love
Other option is an English major but I don’t know much about it 
I also like Chemistry and was thinking of organic chemistry.
However, I am naturally not good at maths, even tho I work hard in it to fulfill my requirements , I want to avoid it as a college major.
ANYWAY, let’s move from the topic of med school and pre-med. It can be quite toxic.I have researched and I am still researching my options …I am talking to my dad’s friends who are doctors in the USA and gathering info.
Bottom line is, I will apply to USA BUT ALSO TO IRISH UNIS. I have thoughts of other plans. I have thought about not getting in med school [I know it’s hard to get into USA MED SCHOOLS and I have accepted that buts Its not like I have not thought about other options if I don’t get into med school ]
I still have time to decide where I will end up doing med school, as I don’t even know if I will get into US UNIS as an undergrad. SO everybody needs to chill and I truly appreciate everyone’s help. THANK YOU <3
@WayOutWestMom "If you don’t particularly want to practice medicine in the US, why do you want to attend a US medical school? What’s your end goal?
If one wants to be doctor, it’s always best to study medicine in the country where one will live & practice because medical studies, practice and regulations vary from country to country.
I can understand that you may want to prestige and freedom of studying for undergraduate degree in the US, but it makes no sense and is a terrible waste of your time, money & effort to obtain a graduate medical degree that you don’t intend to use."
Okay , I understand