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Coco
Student
1
Question
Asked
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Should I take a science related class for premed?
Why is it better to take science related classes for premed or a major you enjoy? How long does it typically take for someone who isn't taking a science related class to complete all their prereqs
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5 answers
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach
1093
Answers
Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Coco,
Before you can apply to medical school, you need to earn a bachelors degree and pass the pre-requisites required by your desired medical schools. Many students choose a science major because the requirements for the degree cover many (but not all) of the pre-requisites for medical school. You'll also get a more thorough understanding of e.g. chemistry, biology or biochemistry that will help you in studying for the MCAT and in your medical school classes.
You don't have to take a science major though. Keep in mind that your bachelors is also your fallback option if you end up not going to medical school. You might change your mind, you might not get in, you might have a family situation etc and not go to medical school. So, it makes sense to choose a major that could be the basis for an alternative career and that you would enjoy. If you still want to go to medical school you would still have to cover the pre-requisites for med school though. You'll be able to take some of them as electives, but overall you'll probably have to take extra classes which means a higher workload or an extra year of two in undergrad.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Before you can apply to medical school, you need to earn a bachelors degree and pass the pre-requisites required by your desired medical schools. Many students choose a science major because the requirements for the degree cover many (but not all) of the pre-requisites for medical school. You'll also get a more thorough understanding of e.g. chemistry, biology or biochemistry that will help you in studying for the MCAT and in your medical school classes.
You don't have to take a science major though. Keep in mind that your bachelors is also your fallback option if you end up not going to medical school. You might change your mind, you might not get in, you might have a family situation etc and not go to medical school. So, it makes sense to choose a major that could be the basis for an alternative career and that you would enjoy. If you still want to go to medical school you would still have to cover the pre-requisites for med school though. You'll be able to take some of them as electives, but overall you'll probably have to take extra classes which means a higher workload or an extra year of two in undergrad.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Don Holland
Member Service Representative/Food Runner
244
Answers
Austin, Texas
Updated
Don’s Answer
Hello Coco,
It is good that you are thinking about doing pre-med. You should focus on completing your required classes needed and it is good if you take science related classes for pre-med. This will help you better understand different types of chemistry, physics and biology which will be very important. I would also recommend you speak with your career advisor to make sure you have what you need and what other options you have. Best of luck to you!
It is good that you are thinking about doing pre-med. You should focus on completing your required classes needed and it is good if you take science related classes for pre-med. This will help you better understand different types of chemistry, physics and biology which will be very important. I would also recommend you speak with your career advisor to make sure you have what you need and what other options you have. Best of luck to you!
Michelle M.
Actress
3284
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Coco !
I will provide some advice for you or anyone that is sure that they want to be a medical doctor and are definitely planning to go to Medical School. If you are just thinking about this career, not sure, then I would say choose something that will allow you to be employable as your Degree(s) need to be connected to a specific field of work that you intend to go into.
It is usual and most beneficial to major in one of the life sciences in a "pre-med" track for your Bachelors Degree. You'll have to start becoming familiar with biological, chemical and anatomical processes so that when you enter Medical School, you have a foundational understanding in more advanced versions and sub-topics of these life sciences. Yes, becoming familiar and knowledgeable with how the human body works during undergraduate school is crucial to your success as a Medical Student.
Another reason to major in a life science is because you'll have to take the MCAT which is in four sections - Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems, Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems, Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior, and Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills. So majoring in Biology, Anatomy, Chemistry. or another life science subject will provide you with the knowledge you'd need for the MCAT exam. If this doesn't sound appealing to you, you then can take a Major that you love. It's up to you, but the "pre-med" path is time consuming, lots of studying, lab work and projects. So decide exactly what you'd like to do as a student. There are other medical and health care careers that do not require the length of time or intensity that a "pre-med"/Medical School/Residency path takes.
If you choose a non-life science major and take the pre-requisites for medical school, you may be short changed on projects and lab work. Based on whatever non life science major you choose, you'd have to weigh how heavy a load it would be to mix in prerequisites for Medical School. Many colleges require only one or two life sciences as General Education requirements, so you may not get everything you need by using them as General Ed courses.
That being said, I think that the most important thing that you should do right now is figure out what career you want. Making a commitment for the Medical Doctor journey is demanding, requires sacrifice of your time but students who are sure of this career do not mind it.
I think that viewing some presentational videos about medical school may help you greatly come to terms with what you sincerely want to do, something you enjoy and want to dedicate your time to. I left a link below to some videos about being a Medical School student and what it's like in medical school. I hope they help and provide a perspective that inspires you to making a choice that is best for you.
Wishing you well in all you do !
VIDEOS ABOUT BEING A MEDICAL SCHOOL STUDENT https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=What+medical+school+in+America+is+like
I will provide some advice for you or anyone that is sure that they want to be a medical doctor and are definitely planning to go to Medical School. If you are just thinking about this career, not sure, then I would say choose something that will allow you to be employable as your Degree(s) need to be connected to a specific field of work that you intend to go into.
It is usual and most beneficial to major in one of the life sciences in a "pre-med" track for your Bachelors Degree. You'll have to start becoming familiar with biological, chemical and anatomical processes so that when you enter Medical School, you have a foundational understanding in more advanced versions and sub-topics of these life sciences. Yes, becoming familiar and knowledgeable with how the human body works during undergraduate school is crucial to your success as a Medical Student.
Another reason to major in a life science is because you'll have to take the MCAT which is in four sections - Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems, Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems, Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior, and Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills. So majoring in Biology, Anatomy, Chemistry. or another life science subject will provide you with the knowledge you'd need for the MCAT exam. If this doesn't sound appealing to you, you then can take a Major that you love. It's up to you, but the "pre-med" path is time consuming, lots of studying, lab work and projects. So decide exactly what you'd like to do as a student. There are other medical and health care careers that do not require the length of time or intensity that a "pre-med"/Medical School/Residency path takes.
If you choose a non-life science major and take the pre-requisites for medical school, you may be short changed on projects and lab work. Based on whatever non life science major you choose, you'd have to weigh how heavy a load it would be to mix in prerequisites for Medical School. Many colleges require only one or two life sciences as General Education requirements, so you may not get everything you need by using them as General Ed courses.
That being said, I think that the most important thing that you should do right now is figure out what career you want. Making a commitment for the Medical Doctor journey is demanding, requires sacrifice of your time but students who are sure of this career do not mind it.
I think that viewing some presentational videos about medical school may help you greatly come to terms with what you sincerely want to do, something you enjoy and want to dedicate your time to. I left a link below to some videos about being a Medical School student and what it's like in medical school. I hope they help and provide a perspective that inspires you to making a choice that is best for you.
Wishing you well in all you do !
Michelle recommends the following next steps:
Destiny Hankerson
Athlete, Artist, and Writer
33
Answers
East Orange, New Jersey
Updated
Destiny’s Answer
Hi Coco,
I believe you're on the right track in considering science-related courses for premed. However, it's also possible to take classes in a major you enjoy and still apply for medical school later on. In the USA, it's not a requirement to have a scientific major before you apply to medical school. Sometimes people even want to see that you have a broader background in other areas.
However, as many other professionals mentioned, taking science-related courses for premed is still a great idea. The advantage of this is that when you get to the medical school stage, or even premed, you have a strong foundation in science. You won't have to start from the beginning and try to catch up on any science prerequisites you need (even if you do have to fill in some prerequisites, you wouldn't have to make up for that many science courses, since you took most of them already).
So, I'd definitely consider taking some science-related courses before premed, even if your major isn't a completely scientific one. This will prepare you better for your medical future.
If you don't take science courses before premed, you would probably need more time to be ready for a medical career. According to a College Transitions article, the pre-med track usually takes about four years, and you would take specific science classes such as biology, physics, and organic chemistry. So, without taking the pre-med track, it could take more time beyond this typical four year period to prepare for your medical work.
I hope this information was helpful! Good luck in whichever path you choose!
Source:
https://www.collegetransitions.com/blog/pre-med-requirements/
I believe you're on the right track in considering science-related courses for premed. However, it's also possible to take classes in a major you enjoy and still apply for medical school later on. In the USA, it's not a requirement to have a scientific major before you apply to medical school. Sometimes people even want to see that you have a broader background in other areas.
However, as many other professionals mentioned, taking science-related courses for premed is still a great idea. The advantage of this is that when you get to the medical school stage, or even premed, you have a strong foundation in science. You won't have to start from the beginning and try to catch up on any science prerequisites you need (even if you do have to fill in some prerequisites, you wouldn't have to make up for that many science courses, since you took most of them already).
So, I'd definitely consider taking some science-related courses before premed, even if your major isn't a completely scientific one. This will prepare you better for your medical future.
If you don't take science courses before premed, you would probably need more time to be ready for a medical career. According to a College Transitions article, the pre-med track usually takes about four years, and you would take specific science classes such as biology, physics, and organic chemistry. So, without taking the pre-med track, it could take more time beyond this typical four year period to prepare for your medical work.
I hope this information was helpful! Good luck in whichever path you choose!
Source:
https://www.collegetransitions.com/blog/pre-med-requirements/
Wong Loke Yuen
Head of Programme cum Senior Lecturer
645
Answers
Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Updated
Wong’s Answer
Hi Coco. If you are thinking about becoming a doctor, taking science-related classes for premed is usually a very good idea. Medical schools expect students to have a strong foundation in subjects like biology, chemistry, physics, and math because these areas are essential for understanding medicine. Taking these classes early can help you get used to scientific thinking, problem solving, and laboratory work, which are all important skills for success in medical school. It can also make your college experience smoother because you will already be familiar with the basic material before you take harder science courses later.
If you choose a science major such as biology, chemistry, or biochemistry, many of your major classes will overlap with the medical school prerequisites, saving you time and helping you stay organized. However, it is also important to choose a major that you genuinely enjoy.
For students who are not majoring in science, it can take extra time to finish all the premed requirements. Most students complete them in about four years, but if you start later or take a non-science major, it might take an additional year or two to complete everything before applying to medical school. The key is to plan early, meet with advisors regularly, and stay motivated in both your major and your premed courses so you can succeed in whichever path you choose. All the best.
If you choose a science major such as biology, chemistry, or biochemistry, many of your major classes will overlap with the medical school prerequisites, saving you time and helping you stay organized. However, it is also important to choose a major that you genuinely enjoy.
For students who are not majoring in science, it can take extra time to finish all the premed requirements. Most students complete them in about four years, but if you start later or take a non-science major, it might take an additional year or two to complete everything before applying to medical school. The key is to plan early, meet with advisors regularly, and stay motivated in both your major and your premed courses so you can succeed in whichever path you choose. All the best.