<p>Okay, so I'm creating this thread because I wanted to get some clarification about the whole notion/rumor that a biology major isn't great for pre-med. I'm currently a sophomore majoring in Biological Sciences at my school, and I keep hearing conflicting opinions. Some people say that it's perfectly fine, your major isn't all too important, etc etc etc. But other people keep saying things like biology is too bland and/or common for pre-med, it's not the best major, it doesn't show uniqueness or something, etc.</p>
<p>The thing is, I'm currently double minoring in Spanish and Nutrition and Health Promotion. I am extremely interested in both these areas and I feel that they supplement my biological sciences degree quite well. I just keep getting a bit unnerved by all these thoughts floating around about how a biology major isn't the best, or whatever. So I wanted to ask - is there any validity to these claims, or is the major really not the most important thing? Thanks for any help!</p>
Do not. Stay your course. It does not matter. Again ( I know you have read it thousands of times), get GPA=3.6+, decent MCAT, various medical ECs, develop as a person (I mean do not be in your room studying all the time, get involved, pursue your interests whatever they are), apply to a “smart” list of Med. Schools, the list that matches your stats and you will be all set. If you listen to everybody, you will not win, you will always feel frustrated. Be happy with your life and you own decision making. And Spanish is great, absolutely awesome, it will open more opportunities at Med. School.</p>
<p>If you look at the AMCAS data w/r/t majors, you’ll see that biology is the most common major for both med school applicants and med school matriculants. </p>
<p>This is neither a good nor a bad thing. It simply is. </p>
<p>If you look at the percentages of matriculants vs. applicants for all majors in the AAMC data, you’ll see that except for Specialized health science majors, the percentages of students in each major accepted are more or less equal. (Roughly half of bio applicants are accepted, and roughly half of humanities majors are accepted. Same is true for physical sciences, math, and social sciences.) This suggests that having–or not having-- a particular major does not have a significant impact on whether you’ll be accepted or not.</p>
<p>What will set you apart from other applicants will be the overall quality of your CV (GPA, MCAT, ECs, LORs), not which label appears on your degree.</p>
<p>The biggest issue for bio majors is that there are a lot of unsuccessful pre meds and the job market for BA/BS bio majors is not especially strong.</p>
<p>And I’m a living, breathing person that is represented on that table (literally, I think that’s the year I applied?).</p>
<p>In terms of med school applicants, I was probably about as bland as they get–white girl from a state flagship, with a bio major, with an average MCAT score (30), and a slightly-above-average GPA (3.8). I picked up 4 interviews (3 top 25s) and an acceptance, and am currently a second year med student.</p>
<p>Not saying my experience applies to you. Just that there are bland bio majors who successfully get into med school :)</p>
<p>As WOWmom says, bio is extremely common as a major, other majors are great, too. What works is a major about which you feel some level of passion and which allows you to have an excellent experience and success. Where bio is a bad choice is if you do it because someone tells you to and you don’t like it and you are stuck in classes full of pre-med gunners and you do poorly. Then you are stuck with a bio degree you don’t like and a lousy GPA.</p>
<p>Haha, thanks somemom. You are probably right! But in terms of school, major, scores, etc I was pretty bland. Which goes to show that what you do is probably the most important thing–not where you do it or what label is on your diploma etc.</p>
<p>You received good advice from the other posters. I will add a personal story. D was also a Biology major (Chem minor) and all of her study group members were either Bio or Chem majors. There were eight of them. Seven of them graduated from medical school in 2012. Number eight will graduate in 2013. </p>
<p>Biology major is fine. Med schools care about what grades you get and your scores and possibly research, not the exact major.</p>
<p>Spanish is good. I’d advise continuing with that, study in Spanish-speaking country or travel there if possible. My D’s med school has a study program in central America for international rotation. My D is mad at me for encouraging her to take French instead of Spanish. She thinks Spanish is more useful for U.S. drs.</p>