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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.
Most Popular Pre-Med Majors
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.
Biological Sciences
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
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
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
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
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
Non-Traditional Majors
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)
Types of Non-Traditional Majors
- Physics
- Mathematics
- Physical therapy
- Nursing
- English
- Social sciences (sociology, economics, anthropology, or political science)
- Humanities (ethnic studies, international relations, or a foreign language)
Benefits & Considerations
Benefits of non-science majors include:
- Developing a unique perspective
- Pursuing personal interests
- Providing something unique to admissions committees
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.
Choosing the Right Major for You
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.
Prerequisites
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!)
Personal Interests & Passions
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.
Academic Strong Suits
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.
Extracurriculars & Unique Opportunities
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:
- 50-100 hours of shadowing experiences with 5+ different physicians
- 300+ hours of volunteering experience
- 300+ hours of clinical experience
- 100+ hours of leadership experience
- 400+ hours of research experience
Get expert guidance through every step of the college and BS/MD application process. With strategic, personalized advising from our Physician Advisors, we can increase your chances of getting into the pre-med program of your choice.
FAQs
There’s no definitive “pre-med” major. Med school applicants can be working toward a bachelor’s degree in anything from health sciences to Spanish. However, certain majors are more of a pre-med track, covering more of the topics and subject matter that a future doctor will be required to know.
A major that is closest aligned to pre-med studies is biological science. Biological science majors will more than likely take the medical school prerequisites as part of their standard coursework.
That being said, choosing biology or any other science, while convenient because you don't have to take extra courses, probably won't give you an edge in the admissions process.
Having a solid GPA and uniqueness is what gives you an edge when it comes to admissions, which may be enhanced by a non-science major.
Most medical schools will consider applicants with a minimum 3.5 BCPM GPA, with scores of 3.7 or higher considered competitive. Scores of 3.4 or lower are generally considered inadequate for pre-med majors.
Majoring in a science field can be advantageous for students who are interested in pursuing a career in medicine. It provides critical foundational knowledge and offers benefits that can help pre-meds succeed in medical school and beyond.
Here is a list of the majors most popular among pre-med students:
- Biology
- Biology: Cell and Molecular Biology-Preprofessional Concentration
- Biology: Medical Technology Concentration
- Biochemistry
- Biomedical Science: Pre-Med Concentration
- Chemistry
- Chemistry: Pre-Med Concentration
- Kinesiology and Health Sciences
- Mechanical Engineering: Biomedical Engineering Concentration
- Psychology
Committing to the Pre-Med Track
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.
Kachiu Lee, MD
Dr. Lee specializes in BS/MD admissions. She was accepted into seven combined bachelor-medical degree programs. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Northwestern University and proceeded to Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, IL. After completing a dermatology residency at Brown University, Dr. Lee pursued a fellowship in Photomedicine, Lasers, and Cosmetics at Massachusetts General Hospital and was a Clinical Fellow at Harvard Medical School. Academically, she has over 100 peer-reviewed publications and lectures internationally.
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