What are McGill's strongest life science majors? Which one to choose?

[KateLan]

Hi im a u0 student and in need of declaring a major. What are the most reputable life science majors at McGill? What are the one picked most often by premed students? And why? Which ones have the greatest potential for research jobs/graduate studies? If med school bombs, I want to make sure the major I pick gives me a good background in often science related careers. So which field is really booming right now? 

I read on a article from mcgill that anatomy and physiology are the most popular premed majors. What are your opinions? I also hear that biochem and physiology are the hardest. I also heard that mcgill doesn't have a pharmacology graduate school so its undergraduate program isnt the best pick?

[Edict]

I would do Anatomy and physiology, it is the most relevant for medical school. If you do get into medical school, the knowledge you have from your undergrad will actually make your life easier in preclerkship and beyond whereas if you do biochem, you won't use a thing from your undergrad.  

[FailureToThrive]

If I had to choose a non-clinical undergrad degree at McGill, Neuroscience+computer science or bioengineering.

If I had to choose a clinical undergrad degree, Physical Therapy or Occupational Therapy.

These may not "prepare" you as well for medical school in terms of material, however you will likely gain other skills and assets that will be VERY useful as a doctor and that you likely won't have time to learn/do during med school.. Who cares if the degree prepares you for med school courses, the pre-clinical classes are PASS/FAIL and it isn't difficult to pass. If the non-trad students can do it, so can any newly graduated student. 

So IMO, don't take a major that will "prepare" you for medical school, but rather, will let you live unique experiences that will help you build a sick CV and get into your first-choice residency. #thinklongterm

 

[Edict]

On 2/20/2018 at 9:28 PM, médecine said:

If I had to choose a non-clinical undergrad degree at McGill, Neuroscience+computer science or bioengineering.

If I had to choose a clinical undergrad degree, Physical Therapy or Occupational Therapy.

These may not "prepare" you as well for medical school in terms of material, however you will likely gain other skills and assets that will be VERY useful as a doctor and that you likely won't have time to learn/do during med school.. Who cares if the degree prepares you for med school courses, the pre-clinical classes are PASS/FAIL and it isn't difficult to pass. If the non-trad students can do it, so can any newly graduated student. 

So IMO, don't take a major that will "prepare" you for medical school, but rather, will let you live unique experiences that will help you build a sick CV and get into your first-choice residency. #thinklongterm

 

Woudn't bioengineering tank your grades? 

[FailureToThrive]

2 minutes ago, Edict said:

Woudn't bioengineering tank your grades? 

At McGill, a 4.0 is very achievable with hard work in any program (except maybe honours physics from what i've heard). I know average cegep students get above 3.9 in bioengineering.

[futurefamilydoc]

Personally I would recommend Anatomy and Cell Biology if med school alone is the goal. Had far less difficult mandatory life sci courses than the physiology or pharmacology programs, and more room for elective/complementary courses where you can take a variety of topics to prepare for medicine. In terms of grad school or other job prospects possibly biochemistry or neuroscience but I'm not sure.

[magneticsun70]

Hey! I go to mcgill now, in U1. In the biomed majors group, I'd reccomend:

For a good GPA: Anatomy and cell biology

For a learning experience that will prepare you for thinking like an MD: PHGY

For a career after your BSc if all else fails: biochemistry (solely because this major causes you to graduate with a board of chemists certification, while others don't.  This sets you apart).