Knowing you’d like a career in medicine while applying for colleges already puts you one step ahead of most high school graduates. However, choosing the right undergraduate major is also an important factor when beginning the journey of becoming a doctor.
There’s no “right” answer to what the best pre-med major is, as it varies from person to person. To choose the best major for you, consider your personal interests, strengths, and future career plans in healthcare.
Additionally, you can get into medical school with any bachelor’s degree, as long as you meet the requirements for prerequisite courses. Whatever pre-med school you choose, we’ll help you understand what you need to do in undergrad to create a strong foundation.
The rigors of medical school can be demanding, and for good reason — doctors have a significant responsibility to their patients. That’s why majors that provide a foundation in core science courses and skills you’ll need as a physician are more attractive for pre-medicine studies.
Understanding biology helps diagnose and treat diseases, while organic chemistry enables you to understand the chemical properties of drugs and how they interact with the body.
Even sciences like physics teach you about the physical principles that underlie many medical technologies, such as imaging techniques.
Biology is the closest to a traditional pre-med major, as it covers a broad spectrum of topics that provide a strong foundation for understanding human health and disease. Biology majors can specialize in areas such as molecular biology, immunology, or microbiology.
As a biology major, you will gain valuable laboratory experience that can help you in medical school. Pre-med students may also take courses in anatomy and physiology, which can be helpful for future medical study.
Outside the classroom, students may have opportunities to participate in research projects or internships at hospitals or public health clinics. These extracurriculars can help you gain valuable hands-on experience and make connections in the medical field.
Biochemistry concentrates on the chemistry of living organisms. It’s a natural fit for pre-health, and the coursework often overlaps with popular MCAT topics.
Biochemistry majors study the chemical processes that occur inside cells and may work on research projects in areas such as genetics and biotechnology. Students majoring in biochemistry may also take microbiology, genetics, and immunology courses.
Biochemistry majors may have opportunities to participate in research projects or internships at biotech companies or research labs. The valuable hands-on experience and potential mentorships could be great resources for letters of recommendation and your personal statement.
Chemistry majors have a strong focus on the sciences, with a particular emphasis on chemical reactions and properties.
Courses include physical chemistry, analytical chemistry, and biochemistry. These help students who want to study medicine develop analytical and problem-solving skills useful for the medical school application process and future healthcare careers.
Chemistry majors are also attractive candidates for research projects or internships at pharmaceutical companies or research labs.
Neuroscience is a multidisciplinary science incorporating biology, chemistry, psychology, and physics. The major’s broad foundation can offer aspiring doctors a strong advantage and valuable preparation for entering the medical field.
With an emphasis on brain biology, this major is an excellent fit for students aiming to pursue a career in cognitive neurology, neurological surgery, or psychiatry.
Neuroscience often provides various opportunities to get involved in research.
Psychology majors explore the human mind and behavior. They can study topics such as personality, social psychology, and abnormal psychology. This interdisciplinary field intersects with biology, sociology, philosophy, and many other fields of study.
Studying psychology can provide a comprehensive knowledge base for medicine and insight into patient care, particularly in specialties like psychiatry or neurology.
Most universities offer both a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Arts in psychology.
A BS in Psychology typically provides a more science-based curriculum, focusing on the technical and practical aspects of psychology. It delves deeper into the scientific method and statistics, requiring more labs and scientific research courses.
On the other hand, a BA in Psychology often provides a broader liberal arts education, requiring more general education courses and coursework in the social sciences or humanities.
Both of these degrees can work for prospective medical students. You’ll just need to keep an eye on prerequisites and tailor your class schedule accordingly.
Read Next: What Is a BS/MD Program? Pros, Cons and Considerations
While science majors are common among pre-med students, they are not the only path to medical school.
Majors in humanities, social sciences, physical sciences, or even English can provide unique perspectives and skills.
A major in English can enhance communication skills, humanities majors can help develop cultural competency, and social science majors can understand the social determinants of health.
Mathematics can lay a solid foundation for future doctors interested in statistics-heavy research, like an MD-PhD path.
Read Next: A Sample “Why MD/PhD” Essay (Plus, How to Make Yours Stand Out)
Benefits of non-science majors include:
Keep in mind that many credits from non-science majors won’t overlap with the credits needed for medical school. If you choose a non-science major, you’ll still need to complete the required prerequisite science courses, so be sure to plan your schedule and extracurriculars accordingly.
That being said, choosing a non-science major won’t hurt you in the admissions process. If anything, a humanities or social science degree can help differentiate yourself from the vast majority of biology majors in the applicant pool.
As long as you maintain a solid GPA (as well as a strong pre-req GPA) and can clearly articulate why you’re passionate about your chosen major, opting for a non-traditional degree can actually give you a valuable edge over other applicants.
The right major for you as a pre-med student will be the one that meets the relevant prerequisites for medical school while also aligning with your personal interests.
There’s a wide range of majors among medical school applicants, so choosing one that you’ll academically excel in and be the most passionate about is key.
Something to keep in mind when choosing a major is your BCPM GPA. “BCPM” stands for “biology, chemistry, physics, and math,” which are the core subjects medical schools are most concerned with.
Admissions consider BCPM GPA separately from all other GPA scores, and you’ll need to categorize these two scores separately on your application for medical school.
(Note: Psychology does NOT count as a BCPM credit!)
Within the wide variety of pre-med-related majors, finding one that aligns with your interests and passions is best. The more personally invested you are in the major, the easier it will be to apply yourself fully to it and put your best foot forward in your studies.
When deciding on your pre-med major, you need to consider your overall GPA and MCAT scores. These are two of the most critical factors when it comes to medical school admissions. This is why it’s crucial to choose a major you can thrive in academically.
Selecting a major you’re passionate about can sometimes mean you’re more willing to spend extra attention on maintaining a high GPA while completing the necessary requirements.
The amount of extracurriculars required of pre-meds depends on the medical school you are applying to. Still, it is possible to estimate a general range that will appeal to most schools. Rather than list the basic requirements, here’s a list of what will make your application stand out and look strong:
400+ hours of research experience
If you’re considering med school but still feel unsure, it’s wise to start on the pre-med track anyway. You can always change your major or switch tracks later – but not starting on the pre-med path and deciding to pursue medicine later can make things extremely difficult.
You’ll most likely have to take an expensive and time-consuming post-baccalaureate program to catch up and become eligible to apply for medical school.
The best approach is to spend your first year taking a mix of pre-med courses and classes in relation to other majors you’re interested in. This way, you can make an informed decision on what you should pursue without wasting a ton of time or money.
Ready to take the next step on your journey to becoming a medical professional? Speak with a member of our enrollment team about 1-on-1 college application consulting for pre-meds.