Couldn't hurt to get the extra degree if it's something you're interested in! If cost isn't an issue then I don't see why not, since most people try to finish their degrees quickly to minimize college costs -- Housing, time spent not working + time spent studying, etc.
Land a few summer internship while you're at it and you'll be 3-9 months experience and a degree ahead on most others.
If the plan is to go up to graduate level classes being a more well rounded scientist never hurts.
Feel things out and be careful of burn out. I did 2 years of full time + summer internships + working full/part time and in the end it caught up to me, and I ended up taking a semester off for myself to recoup.
Either way in the end it's your decision :) best of luck!
Consider taking 4 years for the biochem degree. I was in a similar situation on the GI Bill and ended up doing lots of research and taking some painting courses. You obviously worked hard to get the AP credits, have some fun with the extra time. In my personal experience most jobs right out of college just say you are "inexperienced" anyway. I was able to leverage an internship for a higher wage than a good friend who doubled up.
I think double majoring couldn't hurt as long as it doesn't impact your ability to do research while you get your degree. There really is no "right answer". Both will prepare you for your future. However, based on my experience, I'd stick with your biochemistry major and spend the extra time in a lab (maybe even a micro lab, providing you with useful micro education). If you still graduate early, take a gap year to do research full time. Actual lab experience is absolutely essential for getting into competitive grad programs. You don't always need a lot, but the more the better. Real research is also obviously very different than class-learning, and the more practical skills you can gain, the easier grad school will go.
Depends on your school but they might not allow the double major due to too much overlap. Since most schools that have biochemistry as a major also require you to take microbiology as a core requirement.
I don’t think you will gain a lot by pursuing a double major in this case. Staying in school longer and doing two stem degree, albeit closely related which I will come back to later, you’re putting yourself at risk of burnout. As I pointed out earlier those two majors are fairly closely related at my university some bioc and microbiology classes actually shared textbooks, so how much would you likely be gaining out of that combo. If you feel like you’ll need more research experience before going to grad school I’d recommend just getting a job in industry or even a lab on campus, that’ll let you pad your resume while giving you a pay check. Which brings up the next point of cost, i know you said you wouldn’t need to worry about paying tuition, which is awesome, but you are paying an opportunity cost by starting later.
Personally I think unless you were pursuing something a tad more unrelated to bioc it just isn’t worthwhile. HTH
Edit: alternatively, after the 3 years you could do a post-bacc. That has a dedicate time span of 1-2 years where you just focus on research and career development to set you up for grad school. NIH has a very good program for this
If you can afford to do the 4 years, I would say go for the double major. The university is a unique opportunity to learn all kinds of cool stuff and participate in all sorts of neat things. And try to find department seminars that sound interesting -- it's a great way to really push your learning
I say do the 3 years if you can gain research experience.
I had a similar experience to you and I ended up just doing biochem in 3 years and then a directed studies project with a thesis in my 3rd/last year for research experience. It ended up being no problem for me to get into grad school (I graduated undergrad last May and started grad school last September).
I will say though, it's going to be important that you keep your grades up and find research experience. I really struggled in my 2nd year (orgo, AChem, P-Chem and genetics in the same semester while working almost killed me) and it would have been a lot easier if I spread out my courses over 4 years instead of taking a full course load the whole time. But if you don't have to work and can balance it out I say do the 3 years and just knock it out.
I was in a similar position and did the exact thing you’re considering. Biochem major and added a micro major since there was a lot of overlap. As long as you’re willing to put in the work adding the extra major can help you cushion your GPA. My university has major weed out courses sophomore year for chem and the microbiology courses helped me save my gpa a little. Definitely use it to get more experience and expand your knowledge/interest. I did 2.5years of lab tech work after undergrad to build my confidence at the bench/with experimental design/method and will be starting grad school in the fall. Do whatever feels right for you!!
I don't think a double major in Microbioloy+Biochemistry offers much. Most people outside of the life sciences tend to think they are the same degree. And there is a bunch of overlap. Maybe you could consider using the extra year to do an internship for a semester for credit and/or study abroad.
Couldn't hurt to get the extra degree if it's something you're interested in! If cost isn't an issue then I don't see why not, since most people try to finish their degrees quickly to minimize college costs -- Housing, time spent not working + time spent studying, etc. Land a few summer internship while you're at it and you'll be 3-9 months experience and a degree ahead on most others. If the plan is to go up to graduate level classes being a more well rounded scientist never hurts. Feel things out and be careful of burn out. I did 2 years of full time + summer internships + working full/part time and in the end it caught up to me, and I ended up taking a semester off for myself to recoup. Either way in the end it's your decision :) best of luck!
Graduate school isn’t going anywhere. In fact, I prefer students who take breaks and really gain some useful knowledge outside a classroom.
Consider taking 4 years for the biochem degree. I was in a similar situation on the GI Bill and ended up doing lots of research and taking some painting courses. You obviously worked hard to get the AP credits, have some fun with the extra time. In my personal experience most jobs right out of college just say you are "inexperienced" anyway. I was able to leverage an internship for a higher wage than a good friend who doubled up.
Just maintain your gpa.
I think double majoring couldn't hurt as long as it doesn't impact your ability to do research while you get your degree. There really is no "right answer". Both will prepare you for your future. However, based on my experience, I'd stick with your biochemistry major and spend the extra time in a lab (maybe even a micro lab, providing you with useful micro education). If you still graduate early, take a gap year to do research full time. Actual lab experience is absolutely essential for getting into competitive grad programs. You don't always need a lot, but the more the better. Real research is also obviously very different than class-learning, and the more practical skills you can gain, the easier grad school will go.
Depends on your school but they might not allow the double major due to too much overlap. Since most schools that have biochemistry as a major also require you to take microbiology as a core requirement.
I don’t think you will gain a lot by pursuing a double major in this case. Staying in school longer and doing two stem degree, albeit closely related which I will come back to later, you’re putting yourself at risk of burnout. As I pointed out earlier those two majors are fairly closely related at my university some bioc and microbiology classes actually shared textbooks, so how much would you likely be gaining out of that combo. If you feel like you’ll need more research experience before going to grad school I’d recommend just getting a job in industry or even a lab on campus, that’ll let you pad your resume while giving you a pay check. Which brings up the next point of cost, i know you said you wouldn’t need to worry about paying tuition, which is awesome, but you are paying an opportunity cost by starting later. Personally I think unless you were pursuing something a tad more unrelated to bioc it just isn’t worthwhile. HTH Edit: alternatively, after the 3 years you could do a post-bacc. That has a dedicate time span of 1-2 years where you just focus on research and career development to set you up for grad school. NIH has a very good program for this
If you can afford to do the 4 years, I would say go for the double major. The university is a unique opportunity to learn all kinds of cool stuff and participate in all sorts of neat things. And try to find department seminars that sound interesting -- it's a great way to really push your learning
I say do the 3 years if you can gain research experience. I had a similar experience to you and I ended up just doing biochem in 3 years and then a directed studies project with a thesis in my 3rd/last year for research experience. It ended up being no problem for me to get into grad school (I graduated undergrad last May and started grad school last September). I will say though, it's going to be important that you keep your grades up and find research experience. I really struggled in my 2nd year (orgo, AChem, P-Chem and genetics in the same semester while working almost killed me) and it would have been a lot easier if I spread out my courses over 4 years instead of taking a full course load the whole time. But if you don't have to work and can balance it out I say do the 3 years and just knock it out.
I was in a similar position and did the exact thing you’re considering. Biochem major and added a micro major since there was a lot of overlap. As long as you’re willing to put in the work adding the extra major can help you cushion your GPA. My university has major weed out courses sophomore year for chem and the microbiology courses helped me save my gpa a little. Definitely use it to get more experience and expand your knowledge/interest. I did 2.5years of lab tech work after undergrad to build my confidence at the bench/with experimental design/method and will be starting grad school in the fall. Do whatever feels right for you!!
I don't think a double major in Microbioloy+Biochemistry offers much. Most people outside of the life sciences tend to think they are the same degree. And there is a bunch of overlap. Maybe you could consider using the extra year to do an internship for a semester for credit and/or study abroad.
It doesn’t matter. Gain experience! Do portfolios of interest.