When I started looking at possible pre-medical school college majors, I assumed that students who wanted to attend medical school needed to major in biology or chemistry. I recently learned that this isn’t true though.
According to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), there is no single best major for students planning to attend medical school. Students can major in biological sciences, social sciences, mathematics, humanities or many other subjects.
I found this interesting because medicine involves more than just understanding biology. Doctors work with people from different cultures and environments. Subjects like psychology, sociology, anthropology, and public health can help future physicians understand some of the factors that influence a person’s health outside of the doctor’s office.
The AAMC recommends choosing a major based on what interests you instead of choosing one you think medical schools will prefer. You still need to make sure you complete the necessary science courses and are prepared for the MCAT, though.
As someone interested in medicine, public health, and global health, I like the idea of having more flexibility when choosing a major I would enjoy learning more about. I know that becoming a physician takes a strong foundation in science, but there are many different ways to get there.
