Good Majors for Pre-Med

Good Majors for Pre-Med 

It's not easy to get into medical school, so it's not surprising that hopefuls want to do everything they can to stand out from the crowd. From choosing impressive extracurricular activities to declaring a major, serious contenders need to plan ahead during the early days of their undergraduate studies. While no single major will best prepare you for the study of medicine, considering course requirements and admissions committee advice will help you make an informed choice.

Consider General Admission Requirements

No specific undergraduate major is required to get into medical school, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, but broad-based preparation that includes biology, chemistry, math, physics and English courses is recommended. While a background in all of these areas is important, admission requirements published by the Association of American Medical Colleges say that schools require more courses in some areas than in others. Most schools want to see one year of biology, one year of physics, one year of English and two years of organic chemistry on your transcript.

Research Your Dream Schools

While the course recommendations published by the AAMC provide a guideline for required course work, individual medical schools might have requirements different from the general rule. Research the admission requirements at the schools where you apply to make sure your chosen undergraduate major gives you the courses you will need. The Medical School Admission Requirements online tool provides a comprehensive list of medical schools in the United States and Canada, along with links to the schools' admission websites.

Know What's on the MCAT

Most medical schools require that you write the MCAT, a test that assesses your knowledge base for the study of medicine. Before selecting your major, consider what the MCAT covers and ensure that your course of study will give you a foundation in those areas. The Verbal Reasoning section asks you to read, think about and draw conclusions from written passages. The Biological Sciences portion covers molecular biology, microbiology, cell biology, human anatomy and physiology, genetics and evolution. The Physical Sciences section includes a number of topics in both chemistry and physics.

Consider Expert Opinion

Sunny Gibson and Brenda Lee, two members of medical school admissions committees, emphasize that you need more than the right courses and the right grades to make your medical school application stand out. However, they mention that a strong foundation in the sciences with good grades is an important starting point. If you're trying to decide between two majors that both fulfill your prerequisite requirements, choose the one that interests you most. That way, you're more likely to study hard and keep your grades up. Some people believe that majoring in nursing may hurt you in the admissions process. Not necessarily, say Gibson and Lee -- as long as you get all your medical school prerequisites and can explain your choice to admission committees.