Undergrad major for Med School?

Question

I heard if you major in something other than the usual bio, chem,.. (life sciences) and do the pre-med requirements you stand out from the crowd. But if you take more life science courses aren't you better prepared for med school and therefore have a better chance at elite med schools?

Answer 1

If you take more life science courses, you may be better prepared to take the test that gets you into medical school. Medical schools aren't looking for a hook, like a major in Chinese theater or Knitting. They are looking for students who will thrive as doctors--students with very high GPAs in ALL of their classes, especially the pre-med ones. That being said, follow your heart and major in what you like--and what you feel will prepare you for the next step.

That being said, the elite medical schools are hard to get into for EVERYBODY, unless you have an IQ of 3 million. There are Ivy League graduates who don't get into ANY medical school, and there are state school graduates who get in everywhere they apply. There are so many components to a medical school application, and so many rounds, including an interview round--no one is guaranteed a spot. Work hard, pursue your passion, and hope for the best.

Answer 2

I would agree that there are some majors which wouldn't make sense; for example, you wouldn't want to major in finance or law enforcement. However, there are things which might be helpful. I know one pre-med student in our Honors program who is a Psychology major. She said that she will take the necessary science classes, but feels that it is at least as important to understand people's minds. I think she will do well, and I would trust her as a doctor.

Answer 3

You do not have to get a degree even remotely close to science to be accepted to med school. Many people in my class are business, engineering, english, lit, computer science, etc, etc...If you choose something other than science, you do stand out in the crowd because you have something interesting to talk about in your interview. As far as being better prepared for med school...no matter what you major in, you will not be prepared...my gross lab partner has a phd in biochem and still struggled in biochem our first semester. friends who majored in cell biology and microbiology struggled in cell. I majored in industrial engineering, took the prereqs, and was just as prepared as the biology and chem grads. Choosing a degree path (no matter what it is) that is interesting to you will help you in making better grades rather than choosing something you think you need for grad school. your grades and your volunteer work mean much more than your degree since you dont even need a degree for med school. and if you dont get into med school, you have a degree that you enjoy to fall back on. good luck.

Answer 4

it depends on your major. if it is irrevelent to what you want to study in med school, you stand a lesser chance of getting in. if you study something thats harder then the usual life sciences then, yeah you stand out a little