What should I minor in at college if I want to go to medical school?

[Krista_McD6703]

I'm going to be a philosophy major and I want to minor in some kind of science so that the med school admissions committee doesnt think i'm just too lazy to do the science stuff (even tho i will be completing the min requirements) should i do biology, or chemistry...or anything you think would be better?

[Steph7663]

You don't need to minor in a science if you don't want to. Medical schools will NOT think you are lazy if you don't major in a science; in fact, college admissions are all about diversity and most of the time prefer that you have a background in something else (to show you're well-rounded, so you have something to fall back on in case you don't get in to med schools, so you can bring in a different perspective, etc). A friend of mine had a spot secured for him at the University of Rochester medical school and his MCATs waived as a freshman due to his SAT score and high school GPA, and he decided to major in music just because it was something he enjoyed in high school and wanted to continue with. As long as you get good grades in in your prereqs to medical school, you should be fine. To most admissions, your GPA is more important than your major.That being said, it would be a good idea to take more science classes for your own benefit. I would recommend taking some extra biochemistry classes just to get a better understanding of the subject. However, it is not necessary and no one will think you are lazy for not doing so.

[blntennis9785]

i think you meant the other way around. maybe you should major in biology or chemistry then perhaps minor in philosophy. after all, like you said, you don't want to be viewed as too lazy to do all the sciences. This is med school here. They are teaching you how to save people's lives not to think to be or not to be.

[J3538]

If you intend to apply to a primary care oriented medical school, completing the prereqs is about the only science you should take. But if you want to take a science or two extra, stay focused in chemistry, as that will be of the most benefit to you in med school and on the Step 1 of the USMLE.