Those with aspirations of getting into medical school understand it’s a competitive process. Each year, thousands of med school hopefuls try their hand at securing a seat—but only a portion of those will receive an acceptance letter.
According to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), there were more than 55,000 medical school applicants for the 2022-23 academic year, with just 41 percent matriculating. So what can you do to stack the odds in your favor?
If you’ve yet to complete your undergraduate education, you have plenty of time to gain the aptitude, skills, and experience needed to become a competitive med school candidate. With that in mind, it’s helpful to adopt a strategic approach throughout your college studies.
You may be asking “What major should I choose to become a doctor?” Below we break down some important information to consider as you make your decision.
Choosing an undergrad degree for med school
As you begin researching different medical schools, you’ll notice that while most of them list their program requirements on their websites, schools don’t typically call out any sort of specific required major for their pre-med applicants. This can leave you somewhat confused if you’re unsure about which course of study to pursue.
The most effective approach to this dilemma is to simply analyze the facts. By taking a look at data surrounding medical school applicants and considering the criteria MD programs prioritize most, you can begin planning your next steps.
Can you go to med school with any degree?
Some assume that medical school applicants are required to major in biology or another biological science (like something in the fields of biochemistry, physiology, or neurobiology). But the truth is, students in just about any major can become qualified candidates.
The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) collects data on the applicants and matriculants to accredited US medical schools each year. The 2022-23 academic year saw 55,188 medical school applicants, with 22,712 students matriculating. Consider the following breakdown of US matriculants:
- 56% majored in the biological sciences
- 10% majored in the physical sciences
- 9% majored in the social sciences
- 4% majored in specialized health sciences
- 4% majored in the humanities
- 1% majored in math & statistics
The remaining 16 percent of matriculants had a range of other majors. But these aren’t the only metrics to consider. It’s also helpful to examine these numbers relative to the overall number of applicants within each category.
For example, it’s probably no surprise that biology majors make up more than half of all US medical school matriculants. However, while the foundational knowledge provided in undergraduate biology programs is undoubtedly helpful for pre-med students, not everyone who studies the biological sciences will get into medical school.
According to the AAMC data, of the more than 31,000 biology majors who applied to med school in 2022, 41 percent matriculated. Meanwhile, 51 percent of humanities majors who applied secured a spot. Interestingly, humanities majors also tend to outperform biology majors on the MCAT exam.
So, what does this mean? Statistically speaking, a majority of medical school applicants major in the biological sciences, but being a biology major certainly doesn’t secure a student’s spot in an MD program—and pre-meds with other majors have just as good a shot of securing a seat.
What do medical schools look for in qualified applicants?
With all of that in mind, your primary focus as a pre-med student shouldn’t be on what major admissions committees want to see from you, but rather on the full range of criteria they’ll be examining.
An increasing number of MD programs have begun using a more holistic evaluation of medical school applications. Within this evolving framework, the AAMC encourages medical institutions to review the following:
- Life experiences – Admissions teams examine an applicant’s clinical experiences, in addition to non-medical experiences that demonstrate leadership, teamwork, tenacity, and other characteristics that signal a pre-med student’s readiness.
- Personal attributes – Typically evaluated by reviewing applicants’ personal essays, letters of recommendation, and med school interviews, additional attributes admissions teams look for include professionalism, interpersonal communication, dedication, time management, and emotional intelligence.
- Academic aptitude – Admissions committees also, of course, look for applicants with a strong academic history, as indicated through undergraduate GPAs, undergraduate science GPAs, and MCAT scores.
Finally, it’s important to note that while there aren’t required majors for medical school, there is prerequisite coursework that you’ll be expected to complete regardless of your undergraduate major: Find a breakdown of those medical school prerequisites.
Build a strong foundation as a pre-med student
Because there is no required—or even preferred—major that most medical schools are looking for, the AAMC encourages pre-med hopefuls to consider majoring in whatever interests you and will keep you engaged, motivated, and dedicated to your end goal.
Med school admissions teams want to see candidates who are passionate, who are academically determined, and who are able to reach the goals they set for themselves.
So as you ask yourself “What major should I choose to become a doctor?” Your answer should be based on where your interests and skills lie. After all, if you choose to study a subject that you truly enjoy, you are more likely to perform well – which can help you become a competitive candidate.
No matter what you major in, there’s plenty you can be doing to plan for med school while pursuing your undergraduate degree. Learn more in our article “7 Ways You Can Start Preparing for Medical School During College.”
