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What is a good major to get into in undergraduate school if you want to be a heart surgeon?

I am confused on what major I should peruse to become a heart surgeon. Right now I am considering majoring in biology.

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Mark’s Answer

Again, unfortunately it's all about your GPA while in undergraduate college ; so I always tell pre-med students to major in something that they like and are good at ; it can be math, english, history, even economics or business. For medical school you have to have some science courses and you must do well in organic chemistry, but I had a significant number of med-school friends who majored in English, or History or Economics, etc.. and they did just fine in medical school. Many of those students did better than the ones who majored in biology or biochemistry, etc.
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Rita’s Answer

I don't think there is any "good major" to get into medical school. Most premed students are science majors. I think it only helps you on the MCAT and during the first quarter of the first year of medical school. I'm going to warn you that cardiothoracic surgery is very competitive so you will need to do well in medical school.

My advice to all premed students is to work as a medical scribe. That's where you actually get to see what doctors do. You see how they interact and learn the language of medicine. I challenge everyone to start work when the doctor starts work (not when s/he first sees a patient) and leaves (not when s/he sees the last patient). I want to you experience seeing patients all day, refilling medications, handling telephone calls from patients, answering questions on the portal etc. I want you to experience having a dinner appointment at 6 pm and needing to cancel last minute because you are still working. I want you to see how to deal with difficult patients and to try not to bring your anger onto the next patient. If spending a summer doing this, you still want to be in medicine, good for you.

Being a scribe will actually teach you what you will be doing. You will understand the terminology which will help you in medical school. You can see how other doctors deal with "difficult patients" which is actually a skill. When you get to feel comfortable with the doctor, ask for advice.
Thank you comment icon Medical scribe is a great idea, but one that is rapidly becoming obsolete as AI scribes are taking over. James Hanson
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Judith’s Answer

The best advice I can give you is to enjoy your college experience and not focus too early on a career choice which can limit your growth as a person. Being too “pre-professional” will rob you of precious opportunities you will never have again.

So, major in biology if you love it but also make sure to take a variety of courses in other disciplines. You can fulfill pre-med requirements with almost any major, and pursuing your interests, expanding your knowledge base and experiences will make you a more interesting person and candidate.
Thank you comment icon Excellent advice! James Hanson
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