Should I pick a major (Biology) relating to medical school to prepare for Med School, or should I just enter Med School with any degree I want?
I've been to seminars where people have told me to be what I wanted to be, because schools actually like diversity instead of "typical science majors". The only question that they've never answered was if it had given them an easier time understanding difficult concepts in the medical field. I was wondering if science degrees will help me more than taking non-science degrees when going to Medical School, or if I should do something else that I like. #medicine #health #school #pre-med -school
3 answers
JD’s Answer
I have known colleagues who entered medicine without a "bioscience" degree and who have excelled in their profession. However, these individuals were exceptional in their intellect and talents and would have and would have excelled in whatever their endeavor. I believe there is a particular pattern of thinking and assessment developed through a bioscience-related course of study, which is critical in medical practice. Exam scores and GPA will likely trump having a non-science degree in most medical school selection processes. A bioscience type degree does not have to be the typical biology major. There are numerous bachelor level degree programs, which can provide you with a substantial bioscience knowledge base. Majors in medical technology, physical therapy, orthotics, pharmacy, and even nursing provide a good biomedical background for medical school, as well as medical practice. If you should change your mind or are unable to pursue medical school, these degree majors can offer you exceptional careers. My undergraduate pharmacy degree served me well.
Michael’s Answer
Medicine is basically applied human biology. I think most people major in a science in pre-med not to "help them" in medical school, because doing medicine to a large degree involves doing science. Even practicing doctors need to read about, understand and apply scientific ideas. So it makes sense that people who would like medicine tend to like science and like studying as an college student. I was a biology major and as such took plenty of science including microbiology, biochemistry and physiology. I took all of these things again in medical school. It is possible that I could have done just was well if encountered these subjects for the first time in medical school but certainly having seen the topics before helped. It is not required that one majors in a science to get through medical school, but it has some advantageous, and if someone does not like science I would question whether they would really like being a physician.
Blake R. Nelson, BSRT, (R)(T),ARRT
Blake R.’s Answer
Bio is the best bet, but you can get in med with almost any degree. That all depends on your MCAT score and GPA. Also, take as many chem/bio courses available. Any med school looks at your science classes first.
Blake