Religion Major. Acceptable?

[Anonymous]

I've read other topics on this forum and see that generally the advice given to undergrads is to follow the major of most interest to you as long as you can complete the needed science classes for medical school.
I'm thinking of switching to religious studies, but am concerned about how that would look to medical schools.
Is religion a poor major to take and will it hurt my chances at medical school?
Thanks.

[ResearchingGuy]

Try to get your hands on a copy of Medical School Admissions Requirements (MSAR). This is a book published every year by the AAMC. Besides having a listing of all the LCME approved schools in the US and Canada (and of course their admissions requirements), it has stats on admissions and admission trends. It lists applicants by sex, age, race, residency, major, etc. I recall Philosophy majors and Music majors listed, but at the moment I'm not sure I remember Religion majors (though they are probably there).

All sorts of people apply to medical school. While there may be fewer people with that major applying, they often seem to be accepted at a higher rate than others. I think it's still true that History majors have one of the highest rates of acceptance overall (I mention this because I was a History major 8) ). I'm not saying you should rush out and become a History major just so you have a better shot at getting into med school. I am saying that, as long as you have the requisite courses for admission and succesful completion of med school (by that I mean rigorous science courses from a good school), you should probably study what interests you most.

My Two Cents!

Best of Luck!

[wolfvgang22]

Religious studies are fine as long as you take the typical pre-requisite courses, like ResearchingGuy says. You will find that after doing all the courses like bio., chemistry, organic chemistry, trigonometry, stats, etc. that you will already be more than half-way to obtaining a degree in science, though.
I don't regret getting a bachelors in science and a second bachelors of arts in religion, but it was much more work than just getting one. The religious aspect of my education comes up a lot in conversation, and has only been an asset. One unexpected benefit was that the academic rigor of religious studies increased my performance in the sciences.
Perhaps you could double-major?

[theplatypusman]

I have heard from a professor of mine as long as you did well in your pre-med classes and have your extra-curriculars, any major outside the run of the mill biology is a plus and makes for a more interesting applicant. It will never hurt you in other words.

[Nimitt]

THe only time it will hurt you is if you do poorly on pre med classes and then you will have no other science classes to boost your gpa.
But as long as you do well on the pre reqs I think your major it will bring up some interesting interviews for you.

Good Luck!

[emt036]

Actually non-standard (i.e. bio) majors tend to be accepted to med school with lower average GPA's, so I would think it would be an advantage.

[grace]

My husband graduated with a ** in Biochemistry and a BA in Comparative Religion. He was very greatful for the education he received in his religion classes, and they even boosted his GPA a little. I have always heard that medical schools like diverse students and religious studies would definitely apply!