5 answers
Pamella
Student
Summerville, South Carolina
2
Questions
Asked
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What is the best college major to study before becoming a pediatrician?
I am in 9th grade. I want to go to college after high school to become a doctor that works with kids and their families. I am not sure on what the best college major is when it comes to becoming a doctor. #medicine #college-major #premed
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5 answers
Yasemin G.
Aspiring physician
635
Answers
Updated
Yasemin’s Answer
Hi Pamella! So to be a pediatrician you have to go to medical school after college, but you can be ANY major and apply to medical school. For example my brother and I were a Psychology major while a student I know majored in Spanish. While traditional majors can be more in depth for preparation, you shouldn't feel limited because what matters is the classes you take known as prerequisites for medical school. Usually these classes are biology, chemistry, physics, English, etc- to name a few. In college there is a premed adviser usually in the Biology Department that has a list by their door of classes to take for medical school--both required and recommended. In addition to your major such as if you were Psychology as an example, you can take additional classes as well. My classmate was a Psychology major too and she also took Cell and Molecular and Genetics. I also minored in Chemistry. I say this because of the variety available and medical schools like diversity, your application would not be negatively affected for being a different major and it could even be a talking point in an interview! That being said, however, you can also be a traditional major such as Biology- many students do take this route as well. The pros is you don't have to plan out in depth your classes, everything is set in terms of prerequisites, and also scheduling is easier when it comes to picking classes. In the end, it really depends on where your interests lie, if you have a major that interests you more than Biology or Chemistry but you also want to pursue medicine then your are not limited in choosing.
I truly hope this helps and feel free to ask more questions if needed!
Best of luck future doctor!
I truly hope this helps and feel free to ask more questions if needed!
Best of luck future doctor!
RAVI REDDY
Product Marketing Manager
101
Answers
Middletown, New Jersey
Updated
RAVI’s Answer
Congratulations on setting your goal and sight on becoming a Pediatrician. To be come a pediatrician you have to go through:
1). 4 years of undergrad college.
2). 4 years of medicine (medical college)
3). 3 to 4 years of residency in some hospital. (You are a doctor at this stage and you do get paid a little money)
I think your question corresponds to item #1.
Although most medical colleges do not require a specific major, they all require a certain amount of Physics/Biology/Chemistry/Math courses at undergrad level. Although you can do any major, you need to cover the minimum requirements in the above science curriculum. It may be easier to accomplish this if you choose one of the science major program. Most medical students have Bio or Chem majors.
To get into #1. you have to go through college admission process/SAT/ACT.
To get into #2 you have to have high GPA, go through MCAT exam and medical college interviews.
TO get into #3, you have to apply to many hospitals, interview with them, and chose multiple preferences and wait and hope for the best to get into the major of your preference. Many a time it does match. Some times it does not. More likely you will.
My daughter just got into medical college and I just came to know about this process!!
Stay focused, work hard, develop some extra curricular habits, volunteer in near by hospital right now, work with the guidance councilors at your school, college until you get into med school closely and make sure you are on the right path.
There are many medical colleges that offer 7 year medicine program (3 year undergrad and 4 year medicine). You can apply for them right from high school. My daughter did apply and get into one such. It is still early for you to get into that level of details. Please keep close touch with your guidance councilor and work the details constantly.
Wish you the very best.
1). 4 years of undergrad college.
2). 4 years of medicine (medical college)
3). 3 to 4 years of residency in some hospital. (You are a doctor at this stage and you do get paid a little money)
I think your question corresponds to item #1.
Although most medical colleges do not require a specific major, they all require a certain amount of Physics/Biology/Chemistry/Math courses at undergrad level. Although you can do any major, you need to cover the minimum requirements in the above science curriculum. It may be easier to accomplish this if you choose one of the science major program. Most medical students have Bio or Chem majors.
To get into #1. you have to go through college admission process/SAT/ACT.
To get into #2 you have to have high GPA, go through MCAT exam and medical college interviews.
TO get into #3, you have to apply to many hospitals, interview with them, and chose multiple preferences and wait and hope for the best to get into the major of your preference. Many a time it does match. Some times it does not. More likely you will.
My daughter just got into medical college and I just came to know about this process!!
Stay focused, work hard, develop some extra curricular habits, volunteer in near by hospital right now, work with the guidance councilors at your school, college until you get into med school closely and make sure you are on the right path.
There are many medical colleges that offer 7 year medicine program (3 year undergrad and 4 year medicine). You can apply for them right from high school. My daughter did apply and get into one such. It is still early for you to get into that level of details. Please keep close touch with your guidance councilor and work the details constantly.
Wish you the very best.
Vickie X
Internal Medicine Resident
16
Answers
East Lansing, Michigan
Updated
Vickie’s Answer
Hi Pamella,
I am a medical student, currently in my 4th year.
The best college major to study will be whatever you want to study. Pre-medicine is not a major, it is only a set of requirements that have to be done in order to apply to medical school. For example, these courses would include biology, chemistry, physics, and psychology or sociology. It is a misconception that you must be a science major to apply to medical school.
For example: you can be a music major AND complete pre-medicine courses. You would be able to still apply to medical school.
The reason why many in medical school have science majors is typically because the pre-medical courses overlap with their science major requirements which makes things more convenient. Also they're more likely to already enjoy those science-type courses as well. However, do not let that dissuade you if you decide to major in something else and complete pre-medical courses.
I am a medical student, currently in my 4th year.
The best college major to study will be whatever you want to study. Pre-medicine is not a major, it is only a set of requirements that have to be done in order to apply to medical school. For example, these courses would include biology, chemistry, physics, and psychology or sociology. It is a misconception that you must be a science major to apply to medical school.
For example: you can be a music major AND complete pre-medicine courses. You would be able to still apply to medical school.
The reason why many in medical school have science majors is typically because the pre-medical courses overlap with their science major requirements which makes things more convenient. Also they're more likely to already enjoy those science-type courses as well. However, do not let that dissuade you if you decide to major in something else and complete pre-medical courses.
Joseph Ford
123
Answers
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Updated
Joseph’s Answer
Here are 5 subjects you can study before entering your primary choice. My guess is select the choice that best meets your interest and move on from there. each of these will provide a great stepping stone to your eventual career.
Biochemistry.
Chemistry.
Molecular Biology.
Nutrition Sciences.
Premedicine.
Psychology.
Biochemistry.
Chemistry.
Molecular Biology.
Nutrition Sciences.
Premedicine.
Psychology.
Lori Catan
Correlations Specialist
15
Answers
Winter Springs, Florida
Updated
Lori’s Answer
Dear Pamella,
In addition to following a pre-med advisor's advice, I would like to add that you want to consider a well-rounded undergrad experience for working in medicine. Electives may include developmental psychology courses to learn how children grow and develop physically, cognitively, and emotionally. Abnormal psychology can provide an important perspective as well. Another aspect to consider is taking a few courses in nutrition--very few doctors are required to take more than one course during medical school. As a result, many espouse inaccurate understanding of a healthful diet, looking at the USDA recommended daily allowance of food groups which was created to benefit suppliers. The impact of proper food choice on long-term health is underestimated. Even now, during a global pandemic, few doctors and leaders are brave enough to connect the dots between susceptibility to COVID complications and obesity, diabetes, and lack of exercise.
Another aspect of working in medicine is public health and administration. These are leaders of institutions, facilities, and studies who can have a great impact on public health best practices as well as impact a large number of individuals.
Read up on what the Surgeon General of the USA does. Then read about past specific Surgeon Generals to investigate how they may apply their knowledge to a public health position. Maybe you will find a "medical hero"!
See Outlook Occupational Handbook available online. It provides an index of professions with very specific information about each.
In addition to following a pre-med advisor's advice, I would like to add that you want to consider a well-rounded undergrad experience for working in medicine. Electives may include developmental psychology courses to learn how children grow and develop physically, cognitively, and emotionally. Abnormal psychology can provide an important perspective as well. Another aspect to consider is taking a few courses in nutrition--very few doctors are required to take more than one course during medical school. As a result, many espouse inaccurate understanding of a healthful diet, looking at the USDA recommended daily allowance of food groups which was created to benefit suppliers. The impact of proper food choice on long-term health is underestimated. Even now, during a global pandemic, few doctors and leaders are brave enough to connect the dots between susceptibility to COVID complications and obesity, diabetes, and lack of exercise.
Another aspect of working in medicine is public health and administration. These are leaders of institutions, facilities, and studies who can have a great impact on public health best practices as well as impact a large number of individuals.
Read up on what the Surgeon General of the USA does. Then read about past specific Surgeon Generals to investigate how they may apply their knowledge to a public health position. Maybe you will find a "medical hero"!
Lori recommends the following next steps: