Concerning specializing in the humanities (or soc sci...)

[Guest Chowchilla]

Hi there,

 

I just wanted to know if any of you guys did a major/specialist in the humanities or social sciences...and are now in med school.

 

What made you do so? How was your experience? Would you recommend this path to the more commonly prefered science route?

 

Most importantly...does it really matter? (once you have the pre-reqs of course) I know that med schools say that it doesn't, but I'd much rather hear from people who have gone through the process.

 

Much thanks,

 

=chow=

[Guest 0T6]

Similar question..

Did anyone do a minor in soc sci with a science specialist? Did it give you a different perspective on the science you were studying?

[Guest UWOMED2005]

One of my classmates I think did a double major double specialization or some UofT combination between Human Biology and Sociology. And as for myself, I did a double major in two sciences (Biochem and Microbio) but looking back I wish I did a dbl major half in a science (ie Biochem) and half in a humanities (ie classics and/or history.) It would have been more interesting. . .

[Guest mying]

I did a specialized honours in molecular biology & genetics, and most of a sociology minor. I couldn't really say if minoring in it gave me a different perspective on my science stuff, only that my interest in the social sciences did. But everyone has their own interests and takes their own spin on whatever they're studying.

 

However, my social sciences education gave me a chance to explore those interests outside of the biology sphere and, I think, helped me develop my particular view of the human spirit and culture. I used to say that I was learning about people from the inside out (genes and proteins) and from the outside in (society, culture, and philosophy). And, it kept me from becoming thoroughly bored -- I needed the variety. Since I hadn't started off wanting to go into medicine, it was the realization that medicine was where those two fields came together that made me decide to apply.

 

I didn't finish my minor, because in my last year I didn't like any of the limited remaining course offerings, and chose to take other electives instead (still soc scis and humanities, but not part of those I could use for my minor).

 

To the original poster: while I didn't major in the social sciences or humanities, I can't think of too many places along the route of applying to med school where my major, whatever it was, actually came up. I do remember it coming up during the interviews, and there was a lot more interesting questions coming from having minored in the soc scis than majored in bio sci.

[Guest Chowchilla]

Thanks everyone for your replies.

 

The reason I asked is because I'm gonna be doing a specialist degree in Near Eastern Studies next year, with a minor in Bio...but I've never heard of anyone doing such a combination before.

 

I'm still a little jittery about it. |I

[Guest QM6]

I did an Honours degree in Immunology with a Minor in Canadian Studies... and if I had to do it over again I prolly would reverse that and specialise in something more Humanities instead. As much as Arts/Humanities are often mislabeled as "useless", they do make for fun conversation in and outside class and save your degree from being all rote memorisation. You come out with that "learned" perspective on things around you... Once you're in med school you won't really have any time to take any courses just for fun outside the med curriculum, so if you ever wanted to get more into literature, history, language, Canadian Studies, whatever, doing it in undergrad's prolly your last chance.

 

Chowchilla, I say go for it! As long as you can get all the required pre-med classes to fit with the humanities courses (this was a problem for me), sounds like it'll be pretty interesting.

[Guest medicator007]

I agree with most of whats been said before... if it interests you then go for it.

 

I did a Major in Biology (Invertebrate specialty) with a Minor in History (canadian and ancient specialty)... it can be done

 

Good Luck,

Medicator

[Guest 0T6]

UWOMED2005.. that's exactly what I plan to do - the human bio specialist and sociology minor. I'm glad that other people have taken similar routes and have enjoyed them.

 

While I love the sciences, I'd like to expand and learn more about people and the health care system and the sociology program here at UT has a bunch of courses about society and health, so should be fun!

 

Thanks!