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One of my top career choices is medical school. However, I know how difficult this career-path is. I want to choose a college major that will both prepare me for medical school and allow for me to get a job immediately after college if I choose not to go to medical school.

I'm in high school hoping to go into either a health or law profession after college. I am currently undecided about which university I want to go to and what my major will be. #college #college-major

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Angela D.’s Answer

Great question! Please check out the website below from the American Medical Association. According to the AMA data from 2018-19, there were a range of majors that matriculated to medical school. Not surprisingly, biological science type degrees top the list. However, when you read their information from an interview of UCDavis officials, completing medical school prerequisites seems to be key as well as MCAT scores. Some medical schools take a more holistic approach toward admissions too. My son is completing his residency this year and he double majored in Biology and Genetics at UCDavis. The caveat is he absolutely loves the sciences. However, he did tell me that there were several different majors at his medical school which is interesting anecdotal evidence. Please note that my son also trained and worked as an EMT while waiting for admission and that further motivated him to become a doctor. Wishing you the best in your endeavors, Dr. B

https://www.ama-assn.org/residents-students/preparing-medical-school/which-undergrad-majors-are-best-med-school

Angela D. recommends the following next steps:

Check out the AMA website
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Richard’s Answer

Pick a college that suits your personality and 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


I chose biochemistry because the requirements overlapped with premed requirements. Biomechanical or chemical engineering would also be good choices.
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Dennis’s Answer

WHEN PREMEDS ARE comparing and contrasting college majors, they should understand that medical schools admit students with undergraduate degrees in a wide array of fields. Premeds should feel free to focus on whatever subject fascinates them most. This way if you choose not to go PREMED, you can go into the work, in the field you study that you liked.
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Estelle’s Answer

You might consider majoring in public health.
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