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What are acceptable undergraduate majors to become a doctor?

I have hopes of studying biology in college but do not know if it there is a better major to select seeing as how I want to become a doctor. #majors #medicine #biology #healthcare #hospital-and-health-care #medical-school #academic-advising

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Rachel’s Answer

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, preferably with A’s. 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

I chose biochemistry because there was overlap with the premed requirements and I wanted to complete my degree in 3 years.
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Linda C.’s Answer

My daughter is graduating next weekend with a degree in Biomedical Sciences. She’s been accepted into medical school for the fall.

There are many majors you can pursue and get into medical school. Med schools look for a core group of science courses and high MCAT scores, not for a specific major.

I know of people who majored in music — and excelled in the required science courses and the MCAT — who were accepted into medical school and are now doctors.

You don’t have to have a degree in biology or chemistry, but there are so many required science courses to take that it makes meeting the requirements easier if you major in a related field.
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Yasemin’s Answer

Hi Lyric! You can be any major and apply to medical school; it is key to take the important prerequisites like biology, chemistry, physics, math, etc., to name a few. Usually a premed adviser in college has a nice sheet that outlines what is required and recommended for medical school so definitely check that out! I was a Psychology major, and there are even History majors who apply to medical school; I think it depends on your interest. My sister was a Biochemistry major, so if you do like Biology definitely go for it! However, if another major truly interests you as well and you can have meaningful discussions about it, like in an interview or on an application then you should do it! The key is to maintain a good GPA (3.5+) for both your overall and science GPA as well as MCAT score (508+) in order to be competitive academically to apply to medical school; the GPA is determined from your major and the prereqs you take, so be sure to do well in your classes, regardless of the major you choose. Also, your major, if it not a traditional science major, will most likely lead you to have two advisers; for example I had a Psychology adviser-for my major- and also sought out a premed adviser from the science department as well. Just some things to keep in mind!

I hope this helps!
Best of luck!
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