What should I major in if I want to go to medical school?

Good majors for medical school are often science-focused like Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Neuroscience, and Health Sciences, as they cover many prerequisites, but strong applicants also come from Psychology, Public Health, Physics, Engineering, and even humanities, as long as you excel in core science courses (biology, chemistry, physics, organic chem, biochemistry) and gain clinical/research experience. The best major aligns with your interests while fulfilling med school requirements and building a competitive application.

What is the best major for med school?

Biology (including general biology or biomedical sciences) is the most commonly chosen pre-med major among students who are accepted to medical school.

What should I major in if I want to go into the medical field?

The most common degrees for premed students are science based like biology, chemistry, and things like that because it is the easiest option for many people. Others do business, public health, nutrition, literature, and anything else imaginable.

What is the most accepted major for med school?

1. Which major has the highest acceptance rate into medical school? Math and statistics majors, humanities majors and physical science majors have the highest acceptance rates into medical school. However, biological science majors remain the highest number of applicants to medical school.

What major should I study if I want to be a doctor?

To become a doctor, you don't need a specific major; instead, focus on completing prerequisite courses like biology and chemistry. Many aspiring doctors choose science majors like biology or biochemistry due to their alignment with these prerequisites, but you can opt for any major that aligns with your interests.

What High School Courses to take if You want to go to Medical School

What doctor makes $500,000 a year?

Doctors in high-demand surgical and specialized fields like Orthopedics, Plastic Surgery, Radiology, Cardiology, and Gastroenterology often earn over $500,000 annually, with some top earners in Thoracic Surgery or Neurosurgery making significantly more, while even family doctors can reach this level through practice ownership or specialized services.
 

Is a 3.7 GPA bad for med school?

No, a 3.7 GPA is generally considered strong and competitive for medical school, but it's not a guarantee and becomes much stronger when paired with a high MCAT score and a robust science GPA. While MD school matriculant averages hover around 3.8+, a 3.7 is above the applicant average, especially if you show an upward trend in your grades, but a lower science GPA (BCPM) could raise concerns. 

What is the easiest major for pre-med?

There's no single "easiest" premed major, as it depends on your strengths, but Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, or Humanities often allow for higher GPAs due to less math/lab intensity, while Biology/Biochemistry provides natural prep for prerequisites and the MCAT, though it's a competitive field. Math & Statistics and Humanities majors actually have higher acceptance rates, but biological sciences remain most popular due to course overlap, with success ultimately hinging on a strong GPA in challenging science courses. 

Do med schools like unique majors?

Medical schools generally prefer students with a strong background in the sciences, so popular majors like biology, chemistry, and physics fit the bill. However, don't worry if your major is different! Having a unique major can actually make your application more memorable and distinctive.

What is the 32 hour rule for medical school?

The "32-hour rule" in medical school admissions refers to a policy where some medical schools focus on an applicant's GPA from their most recent 32 credit hours, often in post-baccalaureate coursework, to evaluate academic strength, giving a chance to those with a weaker overall undergraduate record but strong recent performance, like at LSU-New Orleans and Wayne State. It's a way for schools to see recent academic growth, with examples including focusing on recent semesters or post-bacc programs to demonstrate improvement.
 

What are the top 3 hardest majors?

While subjectivity plays a role, Medicine, Engineering (especially Aerospace, Chemical, Biomedical), and Physics/Mathematics consistently rank among the top 3 hardest majors due to intense workloads, complex problem-solving, deep analytical skills, and demanding coursework, often involving advanced concepts in math, science, and critical thinking, with Chemistry and Architecture also frequently cited. 

Can I major in anything and go to med school?

Although you don't have to be a science major to apply to medical school, there are some important things to keep in mind if you choose a major outside of the natural sciences.

What are 5 medical careers?

Five key medical careers include Physician/Surgeon, diagnosing and treating illnesses (Doctoral degree); Registered Nurse (RN), providing direct patient care (Associate's/Bachelor's); Physician Assistant (PA), assisting physicians (Master's); Physical Therapist, helping with movement and pain (Doctoral/Master's); and Radiologic Technologist, performing diagnostic imaging (Associate's degree). These roles span different levels of education and patient interaction, from hands-on care to advanced diagnosis and treatment. 

What are pre-med majors?

The most common pre-med majors include biology, chemistry, physiology, biochemistry, and psychology. Health sciences and biomedical engineering are also popular choices.

What major is best for MCAT?

Biology or chemistry would be a great choice. You'll also want to ensure that you regularly communicate with your pre-med advisor about your course load. Your advisor will help you stay on track with medical school requirements and make sure you properly plan which courses to take before you sit for the MCAT.

Do med schools care about what you major in?

There's a misconception that students should major in biology or another science if they want to get into medical school. In fact, there's no required or even preferred majors that medical schools are looking for. Consider majoring in whatever interests you; this will keep you engaged and motivated during undergrad.

What are the 3 C's in medicine?

Besides the four pillars of medical ethics, the three C's (confidentiality, consent, capacity) are a must-know foundation for many common medical school interview scenarios.

Are 2 majors and 2 minors too much?

A double major and double minor can be manageable and rewarding if you have strong time management and deep interest, but it's often too much for many students, risking burnout, lower grades, and less time for extracurriculars, unless you plan summer classes or have a very specific, demanding career goal like diplomacy where it's crucial. The key is balancing your personal interests, career aspirations, and potential for a heavy workload to avoid sacrificing your GPA or well-being, with advisors suggesting it's great if it feels like fun, but potentially overwhelming if it's just a chore. 

What is the hardest major in medicine?

The Ten Most Competitive Medical Specialties to Match Into

1. Dermatology. ...
2. Plastic Surgery (Integrated) ...
3. Orthopedic Surgery. ...
4. Neurosurgery. ...
5. Emergency Medicine. ...
6. Internal Medicine Subspecialties. ...
7. Ophthalmology. ...
8. Anesthesiology.

What majors do med schools prefer?

10 undergrad options for med school

• Biology. While a biology degree isn't a requirement for medical school, it's still a popular choice. ...
• Biochemistry. ...
• Physical science. ...
• Psychology. ...
• Exercise science. ...
• Public health. ...
• Mathematics. ...
• Bioengineering.

What's the lowest GPA med schools will accept?

The lowest GPA for medical school is highly variable, but generally, U.S. MD programs often filter for GPAs below 3.0, with averages closer to 3.6-3.8; however, exceptional MCAT scores, strong post-baccalaureate work (like SMPs), or unique experiences can sometimes allow admission with GPAs in the low 3s, while DO schools might be slightly more lenient, sometimes accepting averages around 3.5.
 

What majors have the highest MCAT score?

It turns out that students in humanities, math and statistics, and physical sciences—the groups with the highest admissions rates—tend to achieve the highest total MCAT scores.

How do I increase my chances of getting into medical school?

Tips for Med School

1. Get Some Medical Experience on Your Resume.
2. Do Research Projects.
3. Put in Time Serving Others.
4. Choose a Major You Will Excel In.
5. Apply to Multiple Medical Schools.
6. Study Early and Often for the Medical College Admission Test, or MCAT.
7. Learn Another Language.
8. Don't Skimp on Extracurricular Activities.

What is the lowest GPA accepted at Harvard Medical School?

Harvard Medical School's overall median GPA is 3.97. HMS does not have a minimum GPA requirement. Harvard Medical School's median GPA is 3.97, but its mean GPA is 3.94. In 2025-2026, all medical school applicants and matriculants had an average overall GPA of 3.64.

How likely am I to get into med school?

Chances of getting into medical school are competitive, with overall MD acceptance rates around 41-44%, meaning roughly half of applicants get in, but strong candidates with high GPAs (around 3.7+), strong MCAT scores (511+), extensive clinical/research experience, and compelling essays have much better odds, sometimes exceeding 60% for top applicants, while many schools accept less than 10% of applicants, with in-state status often helping at public schools.