<p>I'm interested in becoming a M.D, and so my initial major will be medicine or biochemistry or neuroscience . . something along those lines. If I specialize after doing internal medicine in med school, I think it'll definently be in neuroscience.</p>
<p>However, I also planned to major in Arabic too. In fact my mom wants me to take this class at UVa that teaches you how to teach English to non-english speakers. . . and we have this plan where I might take the class next summer or so and go to Saudi Arabia and teach some of the people since they're in desperate need of english teachers. she thought it'd be a good deed and all, even if I weren't paid. I'm sure it'd be a cool experience.</p>
<p>So this was planned for a long time, this double-major.
But recently, I've been taking Psychology classes and really really enjoy it. And I'm thinking about majoring in that too, in college. I'd love to go more in-depth, and one of the most popular majors at top schools like Harvard is Psychology, general. So maybe it's not that tough, I don't know.</p>
<p>Is it do-able? Do you know anyone who's graduated from under-grad with a triple-major? Thanks for any input =)</p>
<p>I've met a few triple-majors (all from large state universities), but their situation was different from yours and not recommended. Their triple-majors were not planned; they came to that situation either by having chosen their first and second majors before finding their true calling, or by simply declaring extra majors to keep from having to graduate (students often spend more than four years at state universities). I don't know of an institution in which it would be possible to complete three majors within four years.</p>
<p>Here are a few thoughts, though: most incoming students have not chosen a major. You have time to decide which of those majors you want to pursue, so you don't have to declare all three up front. After you take more classes in each and develop your career plans further, you might find that one subject no longer interests you or that those interests can be folded into one of the other majors.</p>
<p>You do not need to major in a subject to take classes in it or use it in your career. In fact, there might be a fair amount of overlap between psychology and pre-med/neuroscience, meaning that pre-med anatomy courses might count toward a psychology major or vice versa. Every university should publish a student catalog that explains requirements for each major, and most of these are now on-line. </p>
<p>Also, undergrad pre-med or neuroscience majors are not required to get into med school, though med schools do require applicants to have completed a few specific classes. My uncle was accepted into med school with an undergrad major in Classical literature and a few science classes; an undergrad degree in Arabic or Psychology would certainly not keep you out, especially if it were part of your med school plans (for example, to do humanitarian medical work in the Middle East).</p>
<p>I agree - not majoring in something does not preclude you from taking classes from a different department. However, if you were to indeed pursue that triple major, you most likely will be at school for five years. For example - most hardcore double majors with one major in music have to spend five years in school.</p>
<p>But, here's the thing. Before I even enter college, I'll have about 30 credits or more, covering most of the basic classes. Which means I can technically start college as a sophomore in some colleges, if I want to, which means that I can start right into the classes I plan to major in.</p>
<p>And I know that for med-school you can enter with the very basic courses covered and have a major in . . political science, for example. So I'm not choosing based on what I think a med school will see as "good", in fact I heard that a good number of bio majors are rejected. I just want to major in these subjects because I really have an interest in them. </p>
<p>I know psychology/neuroscience definently over-lap, which helps a lot I think, but don't you think I can do more if I have a separate major in each? Since jobs don't look at how many classes you took in 1 subject, but rather the majors alone? </p>
<p>Or do you think it'd be better recommended to do a minor in psychology, and pursue the double-major in the other subjects?
That's exactly the goal in the future, to do the schooling here but work over-seas if I can, I really think people over there need more medical assistance than in the states, at least right now.
If a triple-major is definently un-recommended, takes up too much time and effort, burns a person out, and is not worth it in the long run, then I can just drop the idea.</p>
<p>Many colleges or universities don't allow their students to do triple-majors OR double-major and a minor. You will have to check with your school. And to get a major there are certain requirements, such as number of classes and what level you have to take them in. You can't just take one class and obtain a major in it.</p>
<p>Also if you're doing this for med-school then I would have to say that this is a very bad call. Most graduate schools could care less how many majors you graduated with, what they care is your GPA and your MCAT score. And to be honest, if you enjoy psychology that much maybe you should go into psych and not pre-med.</p>
<p>Why don't you make Arabic your minor? You'll still be able to study abroad and learn a lot about the language, but you won't need to get quite as many credits.</p>
<p>A major in any of the sciences is not mandated for pre-med students; you only need to fulfill a set of requirements. So, if your love is Arabic and/or Psychology and an MD is just the long term goal, then I would drop the science major and focus on one or both of the other two.</p>
<p>That being said, the pre-med requirements are rigorous and it would be very difficult to complete a double major and then complete an opposing set of pre-med requirements.</p>
<p>From what you have said so far, a more realistic plan would be (for example):
*Major in Psychology.
*Minor in Arabic and include study abroad as part of your undergrad program.
*Complete the pre-med requirements.</p>
<p>I believe this would be roughly equivalent to a double major, and if you want to graduate in four years this is a more realistic path. Although it depends on what schools you are looking at, more and more schools are becoming stingier with outside credits; this would also be trouble.</p>
<p>On a completely different note, the majority of college students change their major. It is certainly possible that you might not pursue med school, take Arabic, or focus in Psychology. While there is nothing wrong with a plan, be sure to have an open mind and do not box yourself in too much.</p>