Undergraduate major in Psychology for Pre-med?

Question

I am a freshman in college, currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in psychology. What I want to do is go to medical school after I get my bachelor's degree and I hope to become a psychiatrist. Am I okay majoring in psychology, or should I perhaps major in biology with a psychology minor, or vice versa?

Answer 1

You can major in psychology and go to med school. In fact, psych is a pretty common major for incoming med students.

The important thing is you MUST complete the pre-med requirements. You can do them as electives, and a few of them will probably be required for your major anyway.

Here's the list of required courses:
1 year general chem (with lab)
1 year organic chem (with lab)
1 year general biology (with lab)
1 year intro. physics (with lab)
1 year English
1 year calculus

It's good NOT to major in biology because those classes are pretty competitive, and med schools get plenty of biology students anyway. Psych stands out much better. But if you do happen to complete most of the courses for the bio major, you can double in it if you want. I just don't think you ought to go out of your way to be a bio major when it's not necessary.

Answer 2

Psychology Pre Med

Answer 3

Adding a biology minor would at least expose you to some of the various science coursework you'd need as part of your graduate work admissions. Touch base with an academic or faculty advisor to see what they recommend students take at your specific university to prepare for the graduate admissions process.