Undecided between Music/English/Science Major with Med Track

College Majors Science Majors
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<p>First things first. I'm a senior attending a Nevada HS that offers a pre-med magnet program, and I'm certain I'd love a job as a pediatrician or a pharmacist, or wherever my interests take me in the future. All my life I've been surrounded by medical professionals, mainly in my family, and I've sparked an interest in the field, and of course, it's lucrative benefits. Thus, I'm certain I want to take the pre-med route in college, which means courses in bio, chem, physics, etc., a decent MCAT score, and medical-related research or clinical experience. I don't mind that; in fact, I'm excited for it. </p>

<p>Because a majority of my magnet friends aspire to be doctors also, nearly 100% of them have firmly decided to major in biochemistry. While I know many of them will probably switch their majors, I'm already certain I don't want to major in a science. 1) I'm not passionate in science; rather, I'm deeply interested. There's a difference. 2) I've been contemplating not just what I want to study, but what I want to get out of my college education. Transforming into a walking science textbook is not what I want to become. </p>

<p>Thankfully, and unregretabbly, I've realized the meaning of the word, "passion." I think an interest can be defined as a passion when it's pondered, applied, and allowed to create personal satisfaction nearly everyday. To me, it's writing and music. Ever since I was in 6th grade, I've contributed to Wikipedia and wrote hundreds of articles for the site out of my own will, communicating with others along the way, and I simply love writing, synthesizing information, learning from sources, and creating my own carefully-crafted sentences, articles, and essays. Perhaps it's the leading factor as to why my favorite modern musical artist is the lyrical Eminem. Also, ever since I was a kid, I was exposed to music; I used to sing, play guitar, and my grandfather was an outstanding singer and internal surgeon, and I believe he's been a huge factor towards my interests, which is why since 7th grade, I've harnessed a love for the piano.
Whether I choose to major in English or music, or both, I hope to gain the abilities of a communicator, critical thinker, and empathizer, traits necessary to succeed in any work force. The best part is, I'll love studying these fields.</p>

<p>However, I continuously stumble upon the peer pressures of my classmates, and even posts on the internet. My major decision always begs the question, "Why are you going to major in English/Music?" People repeatedly tell me I can't make a decent living with a degree in these majors, and while I agree with them to an extent, I don't even intend on having a career in these areas if I'm planning to go into med school. I understand the chances of acceptance are slim, but I'm hoping my complacence after choosing from these majors while striving to complete the prereqs for med school will improve my chance of acceptance. Perhaps this will be the bed of both worlds to me.</p>

<p>Even then, doubt is still conking me in the head. I may like to write, but when it comes to reading, an important aspect of an English major, I've only read a few famous books/plays/poems/novels in my life, and I don't read for fun. However, I enjoy reading, but it's not something I willingly do. Thus, I question my potential as in English major (For more context, my SAT CR was 540, and W was 680, which supports the disparity and my doubt). Also, regrading piano... I'm not a prodigy. I started playing piano at age 10 or 11, while most experienced pianists started at age 4-8. Sadly, my sight-reading skills are at a grade 2 level, but my memorization skills are phenomenal, and my technique is at least decent, having been mainly classically trained. I can learn almost any moderately difficult piece (Fantaisie-Improptu, Liebestraum No. 3, Clair de Lune) up to performance level with my level of motivation and passion for piano, but in a way, I question if I'm good enough to major in music, even with my years of private lessons and undying love of simply playing and practicing. </p>

<p>Does it make sense for me to major in English/Music given my circumstances? Will these majors really help me in med school and life? What colleges are best for these majors? (Aiming for UW, UCB, UCLA, UCSD, Pepperdine, or USC; however, I don't think I can perfect an audition repertoire in time for music major, so majoring is only an option where no formal auditions are required (UCSD and UNR)). Is English Major with a music minor on a pre-med track too much at a top school? How about low one? Double major at a low ranked school? Is the high tuition at a top school worth studying my majors? How about any back up plans? Basically, I just want to know if my plan is doable, balanced, and practical, and what ways I should approach this. </p>

<p>I apologize for my lengthy post. I'm just really doubtful and worried, and anybody's input on my situation would be greatly appreciated!!</p>

<p>Thank you in advance.</p>

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<p>What other major would you choose? Be aware that majoring in biology or biochemistry would not be much (if any) upgrade in job and career prospects at the bachelor’s degree level, if you are concerned about your options if you do not get into medical school.</p>

<p>But also be aware that majoring in music can be very time consuming if there is a lot of performance involved.</p>

<p>Your college GPA (overall and biology/chemistry/physics/math) would be much more important than your major in medical school admissions. It is the case that a biology or biochemistry major has more chances to “dilute” a bad (B+ or lower) grade in a science course with additional good (A- or higher) grades in other science courses, but also has more chances to get bad (B+ or lower) grades in science courses. However, choosing a major you like enough to get good grades is important.</p>

<p>For pre-med purposes, you should consider college grades as the following, due to the high selectivity levels of US MD medical schools:</p>

<p>A = acceptable
B = bad
C = catastrophic
D = disastrous
F = forget it</p>

<p>Note that UCs will be expensive for you as a Nevada resident. Medical school is expensive, so you need to consider where you can save money and avoid debt for undergraduate study.</p>

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<p>UCB is right; if you seriously know you’re pre-med/pre-pharm, focus on getting straight As in any major while fulfilling all of the entrance requirements.</p>

<p>And I’ll personally add… I think you’re giving college wayyy more credit than it’s due… </p>

<p>College will not teach you how to think more critically or empathize more deeply than other people. It’s all memorization with a little social skill thrown in. Real life teaches you critical thinking skills, college probably numbs them significantly if anything since you get into a linear routine and you’re in an environment specifically designed to give unrealistic ideals their fair shot. Just my $0.02.</p>

<p>Majoring in biochemistry will not turn you into a “walking science textbook”. You will be too busy keeping up with the workload and you will forget 90% of the material a day later. As they say: Cram, exam, forget. Studying biochemistry obsessively on your own time for the next 30 years will turn you into a walking science textbook. You cannot master a field that big by just attending some undergraduate lectures… Don’t worry about that at all.</p>

<p>Lastly, COME ON! Eminem is funny and everything but do you want to look back and say your road through life was influenced by a guy who makes a living rhyming about peepees over zany sound effects? If you want to formally perform on piano and make connections with other musicians then perhaps a music major makes sense (personally I vastly prefer private lessons over very broad music department lectures), but Eminem threw me off.</p>

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<p>Ryanthepianst - Copy your post into the Music Major forum. The people there have talked about music majors and med school and also about what it takes to be a music major. You will get good advice there also.</p>

<p>I see you as finding a LAC or small university with a strong music department and a good strong sciences prep for med school. Williams, Vassr, Weslyean, Skidmore, Tufts, Hamilton all have very good to excellent music programs. Also a school like Holy Cross which is known for ‘pre-med’ but has a small music department (but very good) might work for you. </p>

<p>Again- repost in the music forum and you will get more ideas and feedback.</p>