Guest Dockrh Posted June 4, 2006 Report Share Posted June 4, 2006 Is it wise to do a degree in biology or biochemistry. I like biochem because many of the med school pre reqs and MCAT within the actual program(don't have to take as electives) I have been reading in previous threads about how this is not smart because many pre med students choose a biology degree....:| It has been said that you must be part of the top tier of your class to stand out. Is this true? Can everybody who replies give me your undergrad degree and why you chose to major in this particular field. Thanks dockrh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Madz25 Posted June 4, 2006 Report Share Posted June 4, 2006 Choose your major based on what you like best. Chances are that you'll do better taking courses you enjoy. I did a specialist in cell and molecular biology. It's supposedly the "toughest" biology program at UTSC but I didn't find it to be so bad. I chose it because I like DNA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Wheels2010 Posted June 4, 2006 Report Share Posted June 4, 2006 I chose psychology simply because it is what I loved. I didn't find it difficult to fit in the bio/chem/physics courses that I needed for the MCAT, and I feel that having something that was a bit different from usual helped to set my application apart from others. With that said, if you like bio/biochem, then that's probably what you should do, but only if you're doing it because it's what you enjoy. If you do something simply because you think you'll need it eventually, you may end up regretting it when the going gets tough. In the end, I firmly believe that it's not what you major in, but what you get out of it on a personal level that matters most. Good luck in your choice. Wheels Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest pmcv Posted June 4, 2006 Report Share Posted June 4, 2006 p090.ezboard.com/fpremed1...=441.topic Just pick whatever you like. I chose physics+math. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Talon01 Posted June 4, 2006 Report Share Posted June 4, 2006 Defintely choose whatever you enjoy the most. Once you get into medical school it doesn't matter too much what your academic background is anyways. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest HP Posted June 4, 2006 Report Share Posted June 4, 2006 I did a generic biology program because it was what I was most interested in. I think there's some truth to the idea that having a science background helps on the MCAT, but it's not impossible to pick up the prereq knowledge while doing other programs. My understanding is that the almost universal consensus is to take what you're interested in, and I agree with that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest moo Posted June 5, 2006 Report Share Posted June 5, 2006 I chose math and physics honours 8 years ago. It was tough to do a combined honours program because of the lack of room for electives but I managed to fit everything in and graduate within four years. (I took a total of 150 credits, equivalent to five full-time years.) I always knew I wanted to do this degree ever since sixth grade when I was exposed to math contests and physics olympiads. I finished med school this year and can honestly say the degree you do is pretty meaningless... I managed to take a lot of human bio stuff (cell bio, genetics, a year of biochem, anatomy) that the bio-sci majors take. The only difference is the emphasis on botany, animal biology, ecology and other stuff that's not really relevant to medicine. (If you do biochem or physio or something like that it's probably more relevant to medicine but again, you only pretty much need to know the intro courses... the emphasis in those degrees is research and too in depth for any physician to know) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest daryn Posted June 5, 2006 Report Share Posted June 5, 2006 I switched to a math major from physiology specialist in third year. I only wished that I could have done this sooner, so I could save more of my GPA. Honestly, do what you like. Do you like biochem? Do you like lab? Then by all means, go ahead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest The Law Posted June 5, 2006 Report Share Posted June 5, 2006 Imagine hating your classes and studying hours on end for what seems to you a worthless reason... if you do not genuinely enjoy what you're studying, you probably won't succeed in it! Make sure you actually have interest in what you're studying! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest DancingDoc Posted June 5, 2006 Report Share Posted June 5, 2006 I did neuroscience for my undergrad degree and believe me there is a reason for the term neuro-nerds!! Just about everyone in my program took it because they were fascinated with the brain and not because it might sound cool on an application. I agree with all the above posters, find something you are passionate about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest NeuroObsessed Posted June 5, 2006 Report Share Posted June 5, 2006 Yay DancingDoc... I just finished my 3rd year of an undergrad degree in Neuroscience at U of T... it truly is an amazing program... and we really are a bunch of crazy brains carzy about brains... haha.. yes, neuro-nerds, indeed! :lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest akinf Posted June 5, 2006 Report Share Posted June 5, 2006 I am going into 3rd year biochem. The simple and quite basic reason i am in it is because i honestly don't know what else i would be in. Biochem is so much more interesting than anything else my school offers (at least in my opinion). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Lurkergonepublic Posted June 5, 2006 Report Share Posted June 5, 2006 I did Biochem. It was maybe a bit harder than what I could have done, but I don't regret it. It may not be day to day practical in the doctor's office, but I like having the molecular bio, biochemical knowledge of how things work, and particularly how primary research tools (ie for pharmeceutical development) work. That's also a good background for combining research and practice in the future. Again, do what you'll enjoy. Is there an echo in here? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Dockrh Posted June 5, 2006 Report Share Posted June 5, 2006 Hey thanks for the replies. I just wrote in to see if I will be weeded out as a result of my major. It has been proven that many pre meds study biology, biochem, etc. Will my lack of interest in my undergrad degree affect me? Will somebody with say a major in philosophy be judged differently? I know all degrees are considered equally.... your thoughts would be great!! dockrh:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest straightalker Posted June 5, 2006 Report Share Posted June 5, 2006 > Will my lack of interest in my undergrad degree affect me? Are you asking this question to re-assure yourself? If your in university, it shouldn't be too hard to see that lack of interest in something usually results in poor performance. > Will somebody with say a major in philosophy be judged differently? A program in philosophy would help you stand out. It would also provide plently of ammo as discussion during a future interview. The trick, though, is to convince the admissions committee why you chose philosophy, and how it ties with your future medical practice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Oliver Sacks Posted June 5, 2006 Report Share Posted June 5, 2006 I did a B.A. with Honours in philosophy and an M.A. in philosophy, but very little science in university. I learned what I needed for the MCAT by studying textbooks for five weeks, did well enough (31), and was accepted into medical school for this fall. So if you like philosophy, choose philosophy! It should be no barrier to med school if you can aptly justify your reasons for wanting to be a doctor (and show that you're capable of doing science). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Dockrh Posted June 5, 2006 Report Share Posted June 5, 2006 I'm starting my first year of university next but many of my questions are coming from my younger brother. A question that he asked and I am curious about is how do you know what interests you. Something like philosophy or molecular biology is not taught in high school. Do you rely majorly on your first year since all first year science students have the same first year courses(+1 elective)? dockrh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest citrinez Posted June 6, 2006 Report Share Posted June 6, 2006 I would make sure that you throroughly read up on the course descriptions and look at future course offerings in the upper years within each discipline. Yes, it is true that most first year classes are pretty generic, but once you move on from that, you can take your degree in many different diredtions, so it is best to just read up on what requirements you will need for future courses ( pick things that you think you will be good at, or just grab your attention right away). Also, if you can get over to the library and do some research or even go to the univ bookstore, take a flip through the textbooks for the courses and see if the material is something that you would truly like to learn more about for the next 3-4 yrs of your life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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