Confused about majors

[mynameisamyw]

I am in my freshman year of college and trying to decide what my major should be. I want to go to get in to med school, but want a major I can use as a back up in case I can't get in to medical school or have to wait a year or so before I'm accepted. So I want a major that can guarantee a job while I'm waiting (or for the future if my med school dreams fail). I have heard pre-med doesn't offer this. I was thinking about nursing, but have heard this isn't good preparation. Is there a better major?

[sooperdooper]

There still is no such thing as a pre med degree. Any degree, yes any degree, can satisfy the pre reqs for med school

Really there isn't? I think you need to tell UCSD this.

http://be-webapps.ucsd.edu/ug/programs/majors/premedical/

I am not trying to be an @$$, but I think you need to be sure of what you are saying before you say it.

[RunHard]

I am quite sure of what I'm saying. My husband is an MD as was my father. There is no such thing as a pre med major. I read the link you provided and not to sound like an a@@ on my side but it doesn't further your argument that it is a pre med major. All it is, is a major that covers pre reqs for med school. Which is what the site states. It is not however a pre med major, but a bioengineering major that covers med school pre reqs. Pre med is a track a person follows not a major they choose. Again any major can be pre med. I am quite sure of what I'm saying thanks though for your concern.

Here's the same major you gave me a link to from UC Berkeley. Again the link you provided doesn't say that it's a pre med major.

http://bioeng.berkeley.edu/premedinfo.php

[sooperdooper]

The term pre-med is used loosely, I believe you are missing sight here of the real point. Yes, these majors are not defined as pre-medical majors, they are however loosely part of a collective of majors categorically called pre-medical. Do you understand the difference?

Just because your husband, father, best friend's cousin's dogs owner is a MD means nothing if you do not understand the question or terminology.

EDIT:

If someone were wanting to become a doctor, what majors would you run off as the best possible route? THESE majors you name off are considered pre-med.

Just because you can go to med school with a English/Sociology/Psychology/whatever major DOES NOT mean it is the best path as these would require far more schooling to accomplish what a normal pre-med major can accomplish. You can drive your car with your knees, but that doesnt mean its the best way to do it!

Would it make you happier if I said any major that satisfies BCPM requirements can be considered a pre-med major?

[RunHard]

No, because any major can be a pre med major. That's the point. Any major can satisfy those pre reqs. It matters greatly to me that my hubby is an MD I do understand the terms it is you who seems to be confused. You stated that it was a pre med degree. Which doesn't exist. Do I doubt there are certain majors out there that are perceived as being "pre med"? No. That doesn't make them a pre med degree or major though. Any major from music and dancing to biology can go to medical school. A persons major plays a minor role in whether or not a student is accepted. That's the point there is no pre med major. Pre med is a track a person goes by not a major they choose. No major is going to impress an adcom they've seen it all. A major won't get you into med school. Also majoring in the humanities or social sciences does not require any more schooling then majoring in one of the "pre med" grouped majors. I'm not sure why you think it would? A bio or chem major has no greater chance of being accepted then a music or english major does.

[sooperdooper]

Not once did I say you could not be accepted because of a different major. Seriously are you reading what I am saying?

If you choose any non-premed major, you will have to take courses outside of the normal curriculum for attaining that said major. If you take any major that satisfies med school requirements without going outside of normal curriculum, then it can be considered a pre-med major.

The fastest way for anything in life is the shortest path.

Once again, just because you can do it a million different ways, does not make it the most efficient way. Pre-med majors are the most efficient route.

Are you arguing that they are not? If your ultimate goal is to become a doctor, why would you do coursework that is not required? Med school is where the majority of your learning will take place. Your undergrad coursework prepares you for this.

If you want to get really technical, you dont even need a degree! All you need is medical school pre-requisites (roughly 3 years). Although this route is possible, it is not common do to competition.

[sooperdooper]

Also majoring in the humanities or social sciences does not require any more schooling then majoring in one of the "pre med" grouped majors.

You are very wrong!

Most med schools require:

1 year of General Biology + Labs

1 year of Inorganic Chemistry + Labs

1 year of Organic Chemistry + Labs

1 year of Physics + Labs

1 year of Calculus

Are you seriously telling me that those classes are included in humanities/social science majors? One whole year of each. Not one semester / quarter, but a whole year.

Edit:

Why don't we take nursing for example since you believe all majors dont require more coursework. Does nursing require all of this stuff? Nope. The only thing satisfied would be the biology requirement. I have not had and will not have to take a single course in physics, calculus, chemistry, or o-chem for a BSN.

[Farmer Jane]

RunHard is exactly right. Pre-med is a list of requirements, not a major. In order for something to be a major there has to be a degree at the end of it. There is no "pre-med" degree. You can get into medical school with a degree in philosophy--heck, it may even be a benefit because it makes you stand out.

[RunHard]

Never said those courses are required for humanities or social sciences degree. That doesn't mean that a student still can't elect take those courses (no need to bold anything I can read just fine). While I planned on nursing (looks like I won't follow that) I still completed the pre reqs in two years. Will some of those courses have to be taken in the same year? Sure, several of those courses can easily be completed within the first two years. That's what advisors are for. The MCAT usually isn't taken until the senior year. My husband majored in economics. Again, what you major in does not matter and certainly doesn't matter to admissions.

Most of the BSN programs I've seen to require Chem.

FarmerJane - Those odd majors do stand out, and they tend to do better on the MCAT.

[Farmer Jane]

I took biochemistry and physics.

[RunHard]

How did you like physics? I really enjoyed it but struggled and it annoyed me to no end. I finally did get a good grasp on it, but the first couple of weeks had me wanting to burn the book.

[Farmer Jane]

I enjoyed it, but then I like math, chemistry, anything extremely logical. I'm kind of a freak.

[RunHard]

No, not a freak at all. I completely relate. I loved organic. A little ashamed to say it but it's true. I'm a huge dork.