4 answers
Arrey
Student
Mount Olive Township, New Jersey
1
Question
Asked
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How hard is medical and do you have to major in something specific to have a better chance of getting in?
Most people around me talk bout medical school being hard or dropping out after barely passing the M-cap but is there a specific major that could give you an upper hand in this process?
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4 answers
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1501
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
MED SCHOOL PREREQUISITE
Arrey understanding the prerequisites for medical school is critical to your admissions success. The requirements for medical school can seem daunting, so it’s important to start your research early to stay organized and avoid missing application deadlines.
MAJOR MED SCHOOL REQUIREMENT
There is no specific pre-med major prerequisite for medical school in the U.S. While science majors are certainly more common, medical schools stress their interest in well-rounded students with broad-based undergraduate backgrounds. In fact, regardless of your major, your undergraduate transcript is a vital part of the medical school admissions decision.
GPA MED SCHOOL REQUIREMENT
While most medical schools do not list a minimum GPA requirement, gaining acceptance into med school is much easier with a high GPA. A minimum GPA of 3.79 is ultimately what is needed for medical schools you are applying to and other factors, like how well you scored on the MCAT.
MCAT MED SCHOOL REQUIREMENT
While there is no minimum MCAT score required for medical school, the average overall MCAT score for admitted applicants is 511.7, while the average MCAT score for all test-takers is around 501. This 10-point difference can have a huge impact on admissions success. Research the MED schools that you are interested in to see their individual averages and accepted score ranges, but don’t aim for the minimum score – it is always better to be above average.
CLINICAL EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT
Of all the activities you could be involved in, the one that is most likely to be considered essential by a medical school admissions committee is direct patient care clinical work. Knowledge of health care issues and commitment to healthcare is still among the top five variables considered very important to student selection. If nothing else, these experiences will help you articulate in your personal statement and interviews why you want to pursue a career in medicine.
LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
Securing letters of recommendation for medical school is a crucial part of the application process, so be strategic about who you ask and when you ask so that your recommender has plenty of time to write a sincere commendation. In many undergraduate institutions, the pre-med advising offices handle letters of recommendation.
Arrey understanding the prerequisites for medical school is critical to your admissions success. The requirements for medical school can seem daunting, so it’s important to start your research early to stay organized and avoid missing application deadlines.
MAJOR MED SCHOOL REQUIREMENT
There is no specific pre-med major prerequisite for medical school in the U.S. While science majors are certainly more common, medical schools stress their interest in well-rounded students with broad-based undergraduate backgrounds. In fact, regardless of your major, your undergraduate transcript is a vital part of the medical school admissions decision.
GPA MED SCHOOL REQUIREMENT
While most medical schools do not list a minimum GPA requirement, gaining acceptance into med school is much easier with a high GPA. A minimum GPA of 3.79 is ultimately what is needed for medical schools you are applying to and other factors, like how well you scored on the MCAT.
MCAT MED SCHOOL REQUIREMENT
While there is no minimum MCAT score required for medical school, the average overall MCAT score for admitted applicants is 511.7, while the average MCAT score for all test-takers is around 501. This 10-point difference can have a huge impact on admissions success. Research the MED schools that you are interested in to see their individual averages and accepted score ranges, but don’t aim for the minimum score – it is always better to be above average.
CLINICAL EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT
Of all the activities you could be involved in, the one that is most likely to be considered essential by a medical school admissions committee is direct patient care clinical work. Knowledge of health care issues and commitment to healthcare is still among the top five variables considered very important to student selection. If nothing else, these experiences will help you articulate in your personal statement and interviews why you want to pursue a career in medicine.
LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
Securing letters of recommendation for medical school is a crucial part of the application process, so be strategic about who you ask and when you ask so that your recommender has plenty of time to write a sincere commendation. In many undergraduate institutions, the pre-med advising offices handle letters of recommendation.
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Doc Frick
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
372
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hello Arrey,
Great question! Medical school is indeed a demanding and competitive endeavor. However, the difficulty level can vary greatly depending on individual factors such as prior academic performance, study habits, and personal motivation.
While there is no single "best" major to guarantee admission to medical school, certain majors can provide a strong foundation and relevant knowledge that can be beneficial in the application process and medical studies. These majors often include:
Biology: A fundamental understanding of biological processes is essential for medical professionals.
Chemistry: Chemistry is crucial for understanding the composition and interactions of substances within the human body.
Physics: Knowledge of physics can be helpful in understanding medical imaging techniques and biomechanics.
Psychology: A background in psychology can provide insights into human behavior and mental health.
Neuroscience: Neuroscience focuses on the study of the nervous system, which is central to many medical fields.
It's important to note that these are just examples, and other majors can also be valuable depending on your interests and career goals. The most important thing is to choose a major that you are passionate about and excel in.
Additionally, while the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) is a crucial component of the application process, it's not the only factor considered by medical schools. Other important factors include:
GPA: A strong GPA is essential for demonstrating academic excellence.
Letters of recommendation: Letters from professors and mentors can provide valuable insights into your character and potential.
Extracurricular activities: Involvement in extracurricular activities can demonstrate your well-roundedness and commitment to service.
Personal statement: A well-written personal statement can help you stand out from the competition and convey your passion for medicine.
Ultimately, success in medical school requires a combination of hard work, dedication, and a strong foundation in the sciences. By choosing a major that aligns with your interests and preparing thoroughly for the MCAT and other application components, you can increase your chances of gaining admission to medical school and achieving your career goals.
Best wishes!
Great question! Medical school is indeed a demanding and competitive endeavor. However, the difficulty level can vary greatly depending on individual factors such as prior academic performance, study habits, and personal motivation.
While there is no single "best" major to guarantee admission to medical school, certain majors can provide a strong foundation and relevant knowledge that can be beneficial in the application process and medical studies. These majors often include:
Biology: A fundamental understanding of biological processes is essential for medical professionals.
Chemistry: Chemistry is crucial for understanding the composition and interactions of substances within the human body.
Physics: Knowledge of physics can be helpful in understanding medical imaging techniques and biomechanics.
Psychology: A background in psychology can provide insights into human behavior and mental health.
Neuroscience: Neuroscience focuses on the study of the nervous system, which is central to many medical fields.
It's important to note that these are just examples, and other majors can also be valuable depending on your interests and career goals. The most important thing is to choose a major that you are passionate about and excel in.
Additionally, while the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) is a crucial component of the application process, it's not the only factor considered by medical schools. Other important factors include:
GPA: A strong GPA is essential for demonstrating academic excellence.
Letters of recommendation: Letters from professors and mentors can provide valuable insights into your character and potential.
Extracurricular activities: Involvement in extracurricular activities can demonstrate your well-roundedness and commitment to service.
Personal statement: A well-written personal statement can help you stand out from the competition and convey your passion for medicine.
Ultimately, success in medical school requires a combination of hard work, dedication, and a strong foundation in the sciences. By choosing a major that aligns with your interests and preparing thoroughly for the MCAT and other application components, you can increase your chances of gaining admission to medical school and achieving your career goals.
Best wishes!
Perry Zuckerman
Psychiatrist
7
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Perry’s Answer
Officially, one can get into medical school with any major. And the schools will tell you that it does not matter. And in my med school class of about 100 there were a couple of students with majors like English. But barring some exceptional achievement that stands out, the "official" line is not true. The reality is that you are best of having some major in or related to a life science. My major was Psychobiology. A friend majored in Biochemistry. Another in Molecular Biology. A straight Biology major is the "standard", but maybe you'll have a slight better advantage if you go "slightly off" the "beaten pathway" and major in something close to Biology, but not Biology itself, like me and my friends did. I don't know. What I do know is that what's important whatever you major in is your grades, your MCAT score, and doing some volunteering/medical research assisting while in college. Good luck.
Hwal Lee
DMSc, PA-C
218
Answers
Albany, New York
Updated
Hwal’s Answer
Arrey,
I don't believe that having one undergraduate major over another by itself would make or break your medical school application, so I would encourage you to choose a major you like and you think you'll enjoy the most. This is separate from meeting all of the application and admission requirements of the program(s) you want to apply to.
I cannot speak to how medical school is, but can share my experience in PA school, since both PAs and physicians practice medicine. Now that I've completed my associate's, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral studies, I can say that PA school was the most rigorous - seven consecutive semesters (no summer break between spring and fall semesters) of didactic classes 8am-5pm, Monday to Friday, followed by monthly clinical rotations, with more than 100 tests and exams throughout. I'm glad I had the training I had though, and this is also why I ultimately chose PA school over medical school.
I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any specific questions I can help with.
Hwal
I don't believe that having one undergraduate major over another by itself would make or break your medical school application, so I would encourage you to choose a major you like and you think you'll enjoy the most. This is separate from meeting all of the application and admission requirements of the program(s) you want to apply to.
I cannot speak to how medical school is, but can share my experience in PA school, since both PAs and physicians practice medicine. Now that I've completed my associate's, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral studies, I can say that PA school was the most rigorous - seven consecutive semesters (no summer break between spring and fall semesters) of didactic classes 8am-5pm, Monday to Friday, followed by monthly clinical rotations, with more than 100 tests and exams throughout. I'm glad I had the training I had though, and this is also why I ultimately chose PA school over medical school.
I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any specific questions I can help with.
Hwal