Reviewed by:
Former Admissions Committee Member, Hofstra-Northwell School of Medicine
Reviewed: 3/22/24
If you’re unsure what pre-med major to choose, read on to learn about the best pre-med majors, medical school admissions stats by major, and more!
The term "pre-med" is thrown around so often that it's easy to believe it's a standalone degree. In reality, pre-med is a track, not a major. It's a collection of courses and extracurricular activities designed to prepare you for the rigors of medical school.
The good news? You can choose any major and still be a competitive applicant for med school, as long as you complete the necessary prerequisites. This freedom allows you to explore your interests and passions while laying the groundwork for your future in medicine.
But with so many options available, deciding on the best pre-med major can feel like navigating a maze blindfolded. Fear not! In this article, we'll dive deep into the world of pre-med majors, exploring the various options available to you. Get ready to take the first step toward your dream of becoming a physician!
A pre-med major is a course of study that prepares undergraduate students for medical school. Students typically choose a major in the sciences, such as biology or chemistry, which helps them fulfill the prerequisite coursework for medical school
If you want to be a doctor in the United States, you’ll have to go to college and obtain a bachelor’s degree before attending medical school. Being a pre-med means following a college track to meet all the prerequisites for medical school, regardless of your chosen major.
So, you’ll be happy to know that you don’t have to get a degree in biology or any natural or health science to get into medical school; you can major in humanities if that’s your genuine interest. Your major isn't that significant as long as you meet med-school prerequisites. However, according to the AAMC, some pre-med majors enjoy a higher acceptance rate than others.
The MCAT is taken by around 53,000 students every year, with many specializing in different majors such as science, writing, and mathematics. Some of these majors have a higher acceptance rate than others, which can help you secure your spot in med school.
The required coursework can appear science-loaded and a bit overwhelming. But don’t fall into the trap of believing that the best major for you is one that helps you satisfy all requirements. There are plenty of options besides science, such as:
Out of 52,577 MCAT test takers, only 22,981 matriculate into college, which puts the average acceptance rate at 44%.
There are many subjects that the top colleges for medical majors offer. Let’s evaluate different fields and what they have to offer.
Due to the strong similarities between this area of study and the medical field, it’s no surprise that most medical school applicants major in biological sciences. This major encompasses biology, biochemistry, and neuroscience, among the most popular disciplines.
Biological sciences majors learn about animals, the human body, the environment, and cells. Undergraduates majoring in these fields learn about the evolving areas of medicine and gain a strong foundation in science. Biological science majors represent 57% of all applicants and have an acceptance rate of 43%, falling just under the overall average.
Humanities majors are another excellent option. Comprised of only 3.3% of applicants, humanities majors have an above-average acceptance rate of 52%.
Students majoring in music, writing, world languages, or philosophy are often excellent communicators and critical thinkers. They are likely to develop a strong bond with the human element of medicine.
Math and statistics majors develop excellent analytical and quantitative skills critical for success as a medical student. Believe it or not, according to data from the AAMC, only 0.6% of applicants are math and statistics majors.
With an acceptance rate of around 52%, which is above the average rate, math and statistics majors are excellent options.
Chemistry, genetics, and physics are the most common majors in the physical sciences area of study. These pre-med majors don’t have a clear advantage over others. However, they are science-heavy and can prepare you for medical school’s rigorous curriculum.
Applicants majoring in the physical sciences make up 8% of all candidates and enjoy a higher-than-average acceptance rate of 50%. So, if you’re interested in the physical sciences, this may be the easiest pre-med major for you.
Social science majors, such as psychology, sociology, and anthropology, offer ideas on human behavior and society. These majors can help develop critical thinking, research, and communication skills that are valuable in the medical field.
Social science majors make up just 9% of MCAT test takers and they have an acceptance rate of 43%, falling just short of the overall average. While not as popular as biological sciences, social science majors still make up a significant portion of medical school applicants.
Other areas of study include specialized health sciences and social sciences, which make up 17% of total MCAT test takers. Social science majors — in subjects like psychology, history, and sociology — have a 42% acceptance rate. Those who major in the health sciences have a 39% acceptance rate.
Despite its perception as one of the best pre-med degrees, specialized health sciences have one of the lowest acceptance rates.
Dr. McGregor, a former Harvard Medical School admissions committee member, says that “over the last 15 years or so, there has been more emphasis on balance, meaning that premedical students now need to focus on these foundational biological courses and the humanities.”
Now that the MCAT assesses your understanding of physical or biological sciences, critical thinking skills, and psychosocial foundations, having a broad, interdisciplinary academic background is more helpful than ever.
To choose the best pre-med major, you must ask yourself personal questions and not think exclusively about the coursework you must complete. As medical schools recognize the value of well-rounded candidates, they are more frequently accepting applicants with humanities backgrounds.
Many prospective doctors have a strong interest in the sciences, but you might not be passionate about biology and chemistry. Instead, you might be drawn to philosophy, gender studies, or psychology; and that’s totally fine! They are all good majors for pre-med students.
Being a physician involves much more than merely knowing about the human body. A remarkable doctor must also possess:
So, maybe studying the humanities might not be a bad idea after all. Remember that most medical school applicants are science majors, which inevitably makes a humanities major stand out.
You should also consider your strengths. This might involve more self-reflection, but being aware of your strengths can impact your decisions and confidence. Taking a look at your high school career can help you with that. Ask yourself the following questions:
If your best class was math, for example, you might consider a major in this field since there’s a high chance your GPA will be in good standing throughout college. On the other hand, let’s say your best subject is biology. However, you’re really interested in literature, and you would like to expand your knowledge in that field.
This is a somewhat complicated situation, but remember that medical school is your ultimate goal. You should think about the best pre-med major to get you there; you might want to consider choosing biology.
That way, you’ll ensure no unexpected obstacles stand in your way. You can always take literature courses to indulge your interests! To recap: you should choose a pre-med major that
Take our quiz to find out which pre-med major you should pursue!
According to the data, the most popular pre-med major is biological sciences as 57% of MCAT test takers have a biology background. In second place would be other subjects that fall into different categories.
Source: AAMC.org
Based on the acceptance rate, the best pre-med major would be humanities and math at 52%. Even though they both make up a smaller total number of MCAT applicants, their acceptance rates are well above the average.
Medical school acceptance rates by major are as follows:
According to these figures, three study areas receive higher admissions rates than other pre-med majors. These are the only three groups who are admitted to medical school at a rate greater than 44%.
Does this mean these three are good majors for pre-med students or even the best pre-med degrees? While humanities and math majors may enjoy higher acceptance rates than biological sciences majors, the number of applicants in these fields is much lower than in all others.
This might explain why more students are accepted out of the total number of applicants with a humanities or math major. Of course, admissions committees consider several factors in the decision process.
The best pre-med major based on the average MCAT score of matriculants is math and statistics at 516.1. Even though it has the lowest number of test takers, math and statistics could be your stepping stone into med school.
Your MCAT scores can make or break your medical school application. They serve as an indicator of your readiness for the rigor of medical school. The table below outlines the average MCAT score of medical school applicants and matriculants by undergraduate major:
Interestingly, students who pursue math and statistics, humanities, and physical sciences as pre-med majors tend to achieve higher scores on the MCAT than those who take other majors. While there are exceptions, these three majors are definitely good majors for pre-med students.
Your GPA is integral to your success; the chances of being admitted to the top medical schools decrease with a lower GPA. Your GPA is split into two categories: your non-science GPA and BCPM GPA.
Your BCPM GPA is your GPA for your biology, chemistry, physics, and math (BCPM) classes. Whether you’re a business or biology major, your performance in your BCPM classes is important.
Christina Grabowski, the Associate Dean for Admissions and Enrollment at the Heersink School of Medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, says, “We are going to look at how you did in science coursework specifically.”
In your AMCAS application, all courses that you classify as “Biology,” “Chemistry,” “Physics,” and “Math” will count toward your BCPM GPA. Some examples of courses that fall under these headings include:
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Mathematics
Brown University notes that “Application services will often include neuroscience courses under biology, but they do not include courses in psychology, cognitive science, geology, or computer science (engineering is usually a separate classification).”
Ensure you know which classes contribute to your BCPM GPA. If you’re struggling to find which classes fall under which category, the AAMC provides an AMCAS course classification guide.
Let’s look at the average non-science and BCPM GPA of medical school matriculants:
Medical schools often set a BCPM GPA requirement, so ensure you do your research. For example, the Heersink School of Medicine requires out-of-state applicants to achieve a BCPM GPA of 3.3 and in-state applicants to achieve a 3.0 BCPM GPA.
There are no easy pre-med majors, as you will have to complete rigorous classes.
In general, candidates for medical school need to complete the following coursework to apply:
While these are the most common prerequisites, your required coursework might vary slightly from school to school. It’s essential to check the requirements for every medical school you’re applying to early on in college. That way, you’ll be on the right track to completing all courses from the start.
Apart from required coursework, students aiming to apply to medical school need a strong GPA and good MCAT scores. Data suggests that the higher both scores are, the more likely you will be to get accepted. However, it’s possible to make it to medical school with one stronger score than the other.
Deciding what the best majors for med school are is difficult, so we’ve put together several questions and answers to help you decide what pre-med degree is best.
Choosing a major solely based on medical school prerequisites is a short-term solution. While a biology major may help satisfy many requirements, a broad academic background and a strong understanding of several fields can be advantageous in the long run.
Biology is the most common pre-med major, followed by psychology. However, the acceptance rates for these majors are slightly below average.
Despite slight differences in acceptance rates between humanities (52%) and biological sciences (43%), the data indicates no clear advantage due to the significant difference in the number of applicants (3.3% for humanities and 57% for biological sciences out of all applicants).
Medical schools do not have a preference for undergraduate majors. Applicants must meet all the requirements, complete the required coursework, and possess a strong GPA and MCAT score.
For the most clear path, biological sciences includes several majors like neuroscience and molecular biology that will overlap with med school. Many students choose this path as it is the most straightforward.
Many students choose biological sciences as it overlaps with med school. However, the best pre-med major is one that you love and can excel in while fulfilling medical school admissions requirements.
Choosing an undergraduate major as a pre-med student is an important decision. However, not everyone knows they have options besides traditional biology or biochemistry majors.
There’s the belief that these are the most accepted majors in medical school and are the ones that will best prepare you for it. However, that’s far from reality. Acceptance rates among the different study areas vary only slightly, meaning there’s no field with a clear advantage. The best pre-med major is one that provides you with a demonstrated interest, a strong GPA, and a good MCAT score.
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