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Why do most individuals that have a pre-med track do their major in biology?

Hi, I am currently a senior in high school who will be attending college this fall semester. I aspire to become a doctor one day. I understand that I would have to be on the pre-med track in college to be considered by medical schools. I am a little confused on my major right now. I did ask a few doctors and did some of my own research and found that a lot of individuals do biology as their major. Is there a reason as to why biology is so popular with the pre-med track? Also, would it be okay for me to major in something other than biology? I am currently considering biochemistry.

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Estelle’s Answer

In short, I think lots of premed students major in biology because they will fulfill premed requirements while meeting their degree requirements as well. It might save time and money. However, the premed requirements are so broad that it might be better to find a degree that really interests you instead of trying to take care of both goals at once. Major in biology if that's your area of interest, not just to follow the most common path.
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William’s Answer

The reason for majoring in Biology in a pre-med program is because the very foundation of medicine is rooted in the Biological Sciences. I personally found having had a strong foundation in the Biological Sciences helped me enormously in medical school, especially the first two years. You have an enormous amount of information thrown at you in medical school; the better your foundation in the Biological Sciences allows you to more effectively cope with the volume and difficulty of the material.
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Hwal’s Answer

Hi Arfa,


I can think of two reasons. First, most pre-meds genuinely enjoy science classes, and a biology major gives you a broad science education. Then, a lot of pre-meds believe that being a biology major increase their chance of acceptance to medical school, which is not necessarily true, by the way.


I think you'll be fine as a biochemistry major as long as you enjoy it, and yes, you can major in anything as a pre-med.


I hope this helps!


Hwal
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Richard’s Answer

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

The advantage to biology (or in my case biochemistry) is that there is overlap between the major requirements and the premed requirements, so it is not a problem to complete both and still graduate on time.
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Rachel’s Answer

Many pre-med/bio majors organize their schedule that way so that they can get credit towards their degree with the pre med classes. However, this may or may not be a good strategy. A biology degree actually requires numerous other science classes in addition to the pre med requirements. These classes may be difficult to get an A in. If you can get A's in an easier major, that may be beneficial too.
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