I will be a freshman at Penn State this fall. I’ve currently narrowed myself down to four possible options: Biochemistry, Biochemistry w/ Molecular and Cellular Biology, General Biology, and Premedicine. I plan on going to med school after college, so I am looking for a major that I will be able to maintain a high GPA in as well as one that will adequately prepare me for the MCAT. I feel that a general Biology major would be the easiest option, however, I wonder if Premedicine would be the best option? I have also heard that a Biochemistry major prepares you well for the MCAT. I appreciate any help I can get on this matter!
As long as you take the courses prescribed for the MCAT, it really doesn’t matter what major you chose.
You can major in biology and take all of the same classes as a pre-med major.
Just compare the required courses:
http://bio.psu.edu/undergraduate-portal/academic-advising/form-files/general-bio-option-pdf
http://science.psu.edu/premed/docs/pm-major-degree-requirement-checksheet-2016
One thing to think about, people often have a change of major, either through choice or circumstance. If you major in pre-med and don’t go to med school, if may prove tough to explain to everyone, including future employers, why you were pre-med but never went to med school.
Good luck!
Don’t do Premedicine, as it signals med schools you can’t handle a “real” major and it’d leave you without options if you didn’t get into med school (half premeds who make it through the premed requirements still don’t get into med school).
Biochemistry prepares you the best since premed pre-reqs include a lot of chemistry (2 semesters of inorganic, 2 semesters of organic, 1 of biochem) vs. biology (just 2 semesters of biology would be required).
Also look into neuroscience or neurobiology, and a minor in Medical Humanities (highly recommended).
http://bioethics.la.psu.edu/undergraduate/index.shtml
In addition, a CRUCIAL key to premed success is to remember this is not a dash race, but a marathon.
So, my advice to you is to take
Fall
(3) Chemistry 110
(4) Calculus 140B (if you took Calc AB and got a 3 or 4, or no calculus) or 141B (if you took AB and got a 5, or took BC)
(3) English 15, 30, or Schreyer
(1) Science Freshman Seminar 016
(4) Foreign Language level 3 (or, depending on HS preparation, level 2)
= 15 credits
Spring
(1) Experimental Chemistry 111
(3) Chemistry 112
(4) Biology 110
(4) Math 141B (if you took 140B in the Fall) or (3) Stats 250 Biostatistics
(4) Foreign language level 3 (if you didn’t complete it in the Fall) or (if you completed level 3 in the Fall, 3 credits) Psychology 100
= 14-16 credits
Maymester (optional)
(1) Chemistry 113 if offered
Summer, at branch campus near home (transfers seamlessly)
PHIL 132
Chemistry 113 if not taken during Maymester
This keeps open all major options you listed.