2 answers
Kosovare
Student
El Mirage, Arizona
3
Questions
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What do I major in if I want to be a Doctor?
I want to be a Neonatologist and I'm not sure what to major in when I go to college? #medicine #neonatology #doctor #college-major
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2 answers
Herman Liu
Clinical Trial Management Associate
83
Answers
California, California
Updated
Herman’s Answer
Hi Kosovare,
To become a doctor, you can major in anything as an undergraduate. After your undergraduate studies, you will have to apply to medical school. Medical schools don't care about your major, however you have to take certain prerequisites such as biology, chemistry, physics, organic chemistry, etc.
Most people who apply to medical school major in a biological science, since its more closely related. However, I know people who studied something completely different go to medical school as well. I met a doctor in the emergency room last year who studied political science as his undergraduate major.
Hope this helps.
Best of luck!
Best,
Herman
To become a doctor, you can major in anything as an undergraduate. After your undergraduate studies, you will have to apply to medical school. Medical schools don't care about your major, however you have to take certain prerequisites such as biology, chemistry, physics, organic chemistry, etc.
Most people who apply to medical school major in a biological science, since its more closely related. However, I know people who studied something completely different go to medical school as well. I met a doctor in the emergency room last year who studied political science as his undergraduate major.
Hope this helps.
Best of luck!
Best,
Herman
Thank you.
Kosovare
Richard A.
physician
2150
Answers
Updated
Richard’s Answer
Pick a major that interests you so you don't mind devoting a majority of your hours to studying. 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. I chose to major in biochemistry because there was overlap with the premed requirements and I wanted to complete my degree in 3 years.
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
Aside from this, any major is acceptable as long as you complete the prerequisite courses. I chose to major in biochemistry because there was overlap with the premed requirements and I wanted to complete my degree in 3 years.
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