What's a Pre-med Major?

I've always been interested in medicine and I've heard about a pre-med major in college. What does this major involve? Do I need to major in pre-med to apply to med school later?

While it's common to hear students say they're "pre-med," it's actually not a major itself. Pre-med is a track or pathway that students follow to fulfill the prerequisites for medical school. Most colleges don't offer a specific "pre-med" major, instead, pre-med students major in a variety of disciplines while taking a specific set of courses in their undergraduate studies that are required for med school entrance.

Typically, these courses include core science classes such as biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics, and possibly a calculus or statistics course. Many students choose to major in a science field as it aligns well with the prerequisites. However, med schools accept students from all academic disciplines, provided they have completed the required coursework.

In truth, med schools value diversity in their student body and therefore appreciate applicants with different backgrounds and perspectives. Some students major in English, history, philosophy, or another non-science field and still go on to med school. It's their ability to handle rigorous scientific coursework—as demonstrated by their grades in the pre-med requirements, MCAT scores, and other parts of their application—that really matters.

Ultimately, the major you choose should interest you, allow you to excel academically, provide you with the opportunity to demonstrate proficiency in the sciences, and leave you time to engage in meaningful extracurricular activities.