Clarifying the Meaning of 'Pre-Med'

I've been tossing around the term 'pre-med' a lot recently, but I realized I'm not exactly sure what it means. Could someone explain it to me broadly? And what kind of courses or majors would fall under the pre-med category?

Pre-med is a term used to describe a student’s intent or track rather than a specific major or minor. Basically, it's a route a student takes intending to go to medical school after completing their undergraduate degree. Being "pre-med" in college means that you're taking the prerequisite courses needed for medical school admission, and possibly engaging in extracurricular activities that will make your medical school application stronger.

While there are no specific majors for "pre-med," a student following this path typically takes courses in biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and math that most medical schools require. It's worth noting, many medical schools also require English and social science courses. Some students opt for a major that complements these science courses, like Biology or Biochemistry, but you can be any major and be pre-med as long as you complete the necessary prerequisite courses.

In addition to these classes, a strong pre-med student will gain experience in the medical field through activities like volunteering or working in a hospital, being involved in research, and possibly participating in medical-related student clubs.

Overall, the goal of a pre-med student is to build a strong portfolio in both academics and extracurricular activities. The term doesn't restrict you to a particular major or minor, but it does indicate a set of common experiences and courses that aspiring medical students undertake.