If you’re planning to attend medical school after college, then you are probably wondering which major will best prepare you. The truth is that medical schools will accept any bachelor degree major with a solid GPA. They only require prospective students to have taken certain prerequisite courses in their undergraduate studies. These are generally Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Calculus, Statistics, and Humanities. Technically, you can major in anything, but will need to take those courses to be considered for admissions. However, there are majors that will incorporate many of these prerequisites and better prepare you for medical school.
Here are the top majors to consider for the aspiring medical student:
1. Biology
A major in biology will be incredibly helpful on your way to medical school. A biology major will incorporate most, if not all, the prerequisites medical schools will ask for. The major will also require courses in human anatomy and physiology as well as genetics and cell biology. These courses will be a major benefit when you get into medical school classes.
2. Chemistry
Chemistry can also be a great major for the future medical student. Chemistry majors are usually required to take courses in biology, physics, and calculus as well as chemistry. They are also usually required to take classes like biochemistry, which will also be beneficial in medical school classes.
3. Environmental Science
The benefit of an environmental science program is that it will allow you to take pretty much all of your prerequisite courses as part of your major’s curriculum. Most of the other courses in the program are not directly related to medical school, but they will help you develop the skills necessary for courses with extensive laboratory requirements.
4. Medical Technology
A degree in medical technology will be great for admission to medical school. You will be able to take just about the prerequisite courses you would need as part of the degree requirements for the major. In addition, the degree will prepare you for a career as a medical technologist. This will be good in case it takes a little longer to get accepted to medical school than you would like.
5. Nursing
A degree in nursing will definitely prepare you to look after patients. It will also allow you to take some of the courses you’ll need to get accepted to medical school. Like the degree in medical technology, you can get a job as a nurse if medical school doesn’t quite go the way you want.
6. Exercise Science
This is a great major for the aspiring sports medicine doctor. The major allows for basically all the prerequisite courses to be taken as part of the program. In addition, the program requires you to take courses in human anatomy, cell biology, and nutrition. All of these will be very helpful in medical school courses.
In general, it will be helpful to choose a degree program that will incorporate plenty of the prerequisite courses into the curriculum. This will allow you to have more freedom when choosing electives that will be beneficial in your career as a doctor. However, the most important aspect of your medical school application will be your GPA and your grades in the required prerequisites. Make sure you maintain a great GPA – 3.5 or better – and your chances of getting accepted will definitely be better. Good luck in your medical school preparation!
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