With so many academic opportunities provided by universities today, it is no wonder that some students may change their major more than once during their undergraduate years. However, there is even more pressure on those students considering applying to health professional schools such as medical school. Those students may wonder what move to make next, especially since schools consider so many admissions criteria. One criterion is choosing the “right” major. Students today are expanding their horizons to include “unconventional” majors as opposed to the traditional science majors when applying to medical school.

For instance, Brian Appavu, a junior in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, began his college career as a pre-med student majoring in mathematics. Brian ultimately found that his greater interests lie in structural proteomics research. Having been involved in several research projects at UIC, as well as Mt. Sinai Medical School in New York and at the Mayo Clinic, he realized that majoring in biochemistry would benefit his research interests by expanding his understanding of the types of research fields that exist. “I don’t know if it will ‘look better’ in the application process, but it helps me understand that which I will be interested in studying in the future,” Brian answers when asked how his major will benefit him in the application process [1]. Meanwhile, Brian also chose to minor in mathematics, enabling him to maintain his interest in the subject. Brian does not regret his decision to major in biochemistry and to minor in mathematics because of how beneficial these disciplines are in studying structural proteomics.

In contrast, Hatim Basir, a junior in the College of Engineering, is a computer science major considering adding bioengineering as a second major or minor. Contemplating at first to major in a “traditional” science such as chemistry, Hatim now feels that the major he has chosen will benefit him because of its diverse field. With computer science as a major, Hatim will have the knowledge of computers that is beneficial in today’s workforce. Hatim also believes that bioengineering will enable him to have a better understanding of the biomedical research that is performed in this period of advanced technology. However, the downfall of these fields of study is that they involve less exposure to the humanities. Although ideas are capable of being expressed through the research of an individual, communication among others in the field of engineering is limited. Because this field is more independent, interaction with others may seem quite tense or uncomfortable. Nonetheless, Hatim believes that his decision provides him with good computer skills as well as a decent background in biology. “I feel that you shouldn’t pick a major that is ‘easy’ just so you can get good grades to get into med school,” Hatim replies when asked how his major would benefit him in the application process [2]. Insightfully, Hatim feels that people may have biased opinions on some majors. The load of coursework for each class is different, depending upon a particular field. Each field has its own degrees of difficulty.

Indeed, some majors may seem more difficult than others. When deciding upon a major, it is important not to be deterred by how others have described it to be. Approaching a decision with a biased opinion can actually harm the student in the long run. Choosing a “difficult” major may not necessarily help or hinder a student’s chances of being accepted into medical school. However, it can be risky to select a major that is particularly difficult for students who may be unable to do the coursework. This can have a detrimental affect on the GPA of a student. Choosing a major that pertains to the interests of the student is imperative to academic success. For the most part, what major you choose does not seem to play a huge role in regard to the application process. Good grades and MCAT scores can benefit you only to a limited degree. What also carries importance is whether or not you are dedicated to your pursuit of interest. Balancing outside activities, jobs, school, and research projects shows dedication to your ambitions and interests. Regardless of the field, traditional sciences or not, dedication and persistence will show not only in grades, but in resulting experience and maturity to take on multiple responsibilities. Working hard on something that you are passionate about can lead you in many directions. Along the way, you can develop a plan to fall back on that allows you to still maintain your interests. The important thing is to do what you love by strengthening your commitment to your academic ambitions.