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If I’m interested in going to medical school is the only major I can get a biology degree?

People have to me that if I didn’t go to medical school that with a biology degree, I could only teach biology. So can I get a different degree and still go to medical school? #medical-school #majors #biologydegree #medicine #med-school

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Suman’s Answer

You can major in anything! (As long as you complete, and do well in, your pre-med courses.) At some schools once you finish your pre-med courses, you are only a few classes away from a B.S. in Biology, so it is natural to get that degree. However it is not necessary at all. I double majored in Biology and Philosophy. Medical school interviewers were actually much more interested in my philosophy background than my degree in biology.
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Jason’s Answer

I agree with the above answer and would like to add that even if you chose not to pursue medicine there are many opportunities outside of teaching for someone with a biology degree. I myself decided not to pursue medicine (even though I was Pre-Med) and went into Pharmaceutical R&D, which has proven to be a great career path for a scientist.
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Estelle’s Answer

As long as you complete the pre-med requirements, you can pick any major at your university. I recommend picking a major for which you have a passion.
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Rachel’s Answer

I would say major in whatever field interests you and will allow you to maintain an excellent GPA. I majored in Spanish literature and had no trouble with my med school applications. You do need to complete the pre-med requirements that vary from school to school. As stated above, these include at least a year of biology, 1 year inorganic chemistry, 1 year organic chemistry + labs, physics, calculus, and biochemistry. Your junior year, you will need to take an MCAT study course prior to taking the MCAT. With a solid GPA and MCAT score, you should be a competitive applicant.
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Richard’s Answer

Pick a major that interests you. You will need to get good grades in college in order to apply for medical school. At the medical school I attended, the average GPA is reported to be 3.85, so even one or two B's can hurt your chances of acceptance.

Aside from this, any major is acceptable as long as you complete the prerequisite courses.

Typical medical school prerequisites include:
Biology: Lecture – 4 semesters; Lab – 1 semester
General Chemistry: Lecture – 2 semesters; Lab – 1 semester
Organic Chemistry: Lecture – 2 semesters; Lab – 1 semester
Biochemistry: Lecture – 1 semester
General Physics: Lecture – 2 semesters; Lab – 1 semester
Math: Statistics – 1 semester
English: Rhetoric (Composition) and Literature – 2 semesters
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