suggestions for a "liberal arts" major [undergraduate]?

Question

I'm having a difficult time choosing a major. I know I can pick "undecided" but it's not something I think would be best for me. I'm interested in medicine, always have been, and I know med school admissions like students who majored in liberal arts instead of biology. I have heard that a major in the math/sciences will be a good fallback compared to a liberal arts major but med schools prefer students who are well rounded. so what are some liberal arts majors that will provide me with a strong background in both the arts and sciences? i'm thinking of anthropology but I've never taken any courses related to that area so I have no background about it. I know it's definitely a liberal arts but I don't see any "good" job oppurtunities out there for anthropology (if I don't end up going to med because it's 4 years from now). i'm looking for a major that will show "well roundedness" but still have good job prospects. Any suggestions or information is appreciated and thanks for your hel

Answer 1

Anthropology is trending downward as a discipline for a number of reasons; I am a strong believer in liberal arts education, but would advise any undergraduate *not* to major in anthro. Take a class or two if you're interested, but it's just not a career path as it's currently constituted (not even an academic career path, I'm afraid--schools are cutting anthro lines all over).

That said, I'd consider a double major or at least a very strong minor based on your strengths. If you can pull it off, minors in art or music can complement scientific majors very well. You could probably dual-major in science and English, since while an English degree is rigorous it's not as rigorous or time-consuming as a full philosophy, art, or music degree. The training in critical thinking would help you with the significant amounts of writing and analysis you'll have to do as a doctor.

One key is to consult your Admissions office (do it now!) for profiles of successful med school applicants from your school. Ask your adviser too. This can provide ideas.

The bottom line is that a strong background in bio and chem is going to be overwhelmingly more important than anything else you do. The other stuff is basically icing on the cake--making a great application outstanding, and possibly keeping you sane during your undergrad struggle. Don't worry too much about the rest--and if you want to be a doctor, it has to start *now*. If you want to play a sport, act in the campus theater, etc., you might want to reconsider those activities or reconsider becoming a doctor. If you're taking the science courses you need and you're at a decent school, you're just not going to have the time.

Good luck!

Answer 2

The major thing medidal schools want is someone who has done very, very well in the key prerequisite courses. If you dont do very well in calculus, physics, chemistry and organic chemistry, then you aren't getting in to med school, nomatter how well rounded you are.

More chemistry is good. Biology is OK but when you major in bio you take a lot of courses that arent very relevant to medicine (like say, ecology or invertebrate anatomy!) But genetics or sociology might be good, or psychology. Those have some relevance. And philosophy is relevant because obviously being a physician has some ethical issues.

The bottom line is, don't get less than a B+ in organic chem. Everything else is secondary!

Answer 3

I think you have been misinformed. While Liberal Arts majors who take a lot of science can get into Medical School -- the majority of students in Medical School have science degrees -- usually in Biology or Chemistry.

It is probably better to major in the sciences and take a lot of non-Science electives to prove that you are well rounded than to major in the arts and take science to prove that you are well rounded.

You might consider a double major of Biology and some liberal art.

The following link looked interesting.

Answer 4

Ummm...Liberal Arts just means general studies or undecided. Anthropology is not a Liberal Arts major. If you want something general Communications is always a good way to go. I would think med schools would want someone who studied Biology, Chemistry, Pharmacology, or Psychology- something to do with medicine.

Answer 5

What about philosophy? Doesn't have much relevance to any given career but it shows you're smart. Don't worry about your subject not being relevant to any particular career, most jobs out there don't require a particular degree.