<p>My goal is to conduct research and discover something to benefit those with genetic or brain disorders (autism, down-syndrome, etc)</p>
<p>Right now I have been accepted to UCLA, WashU, and Johns Hopkins University (Udub, USC, CMU too but not considering them as much).</p>
<p>I was wondering what type of major would be most specific to my interests? Would it be neuroscience? Also, which of these 3 would perhaps be the best for research opportunities and professors in general? I'm mainly interested in undergrad research to help me get into med school or grad school where i can aim for a PhD and possibly teach at a university while conducting research.</p>
<p>it is neuroscience, but you’d probably be better off doing something more general like biology or chemistry for undergrad, and then you can specialize in brain stuff later on.</p>
<p>This post is only relevant if you really have your heart set on research.</p>
<p>If you absolutely want to do research on the brain as an undergraduate, then I would go with neuroscience. But even then, your chances are likely to be limited.</p>
<p>If you want to do medical research in general, then I would go with chemistry if you’re up to it. If you can pull an A average in chemistry, med schools will love you. And if you develop a talent in organic chemistry, then you very well might land a research position related to testing psych meds, especially at Johns Hopkins.</p>
<p>My recommendation is that you research the top research professors at each of the schools you’re considering and see what courses they teach. Plan on taking those courses and gear your major accordingly.</p>
<p>You might want to consider genetics because unraveling the genetic/chromosomal basis for brain disease like autism and down’s syndrome will help lead to treatment and/or prevention.</p>
<p>Jessiehl is right. There are many undergrad majors that will lead to the same place. You will have to do a Phd if you are to make research your career, but don’t worry, in the biomedical sciences, tuition/fees are paid by your department and you receive a salary for your time. Alternatively, some people who went through a medical degree (MD or DO) later decide that they don’t want to do patient care and go into research, though even at the best universities, they can’t shake their clinical obligations entirely.</p>
<p>Frankly, I wouldn’t worry about the specific major, just take as many upper division science courses that you find interesting (be sure to know what fulfills what requirement) but that will give you a stronger background for graduate school. Inevitably, if you really like neuroscience, you will gravitate towards those courses.</p>
<p>If you are deadset on picking a major, do so with an open mind. Majors like biochem, cell biology, molecular biology, genetics and engineering will provide you with specific skillsets to investigate a science question, but might not provide the background information to understand what questions are relevant in the field.</p>
<p>I’m a neuroscience major. Sure, I know more about neuro than certain other areas of science. Does this mean I would make an excellent neuro ph.D, or a better neurosurgeon? No better than someone who majors in, say, cell biology.</p>
<p>Undergrad is too basic. You don’t become an expert in your field (although research helps you go more in depth), you learn the basics and foundations of science, so that you’re well prepared should you choose to go on to grad or professional school. </p>
<p>Also, your undergrad major really doesn’t do much as far as setting up a career path… even though I’m majoring in neuro, my interests are really cell biology (I’m just too far in to switch, plus I enjoy my major and want to stick with it). I do research in cell biology and should I apply to a ph.d program, it will be in cell biology and not neuro. </p>
<p>So, start with the basics, find what interests you the most, and then pick a major. Whatever you choose will allow you to go to grad/med school and allow you to do research.</p>