What is the best pre-med major to get into medical school?
Asked by: Rafaela O'Hara | Last update: January 21, 2026Score: 4.1/5 (55 votes)
The Most Popular Pre-Med Majors Biological sciences (such as biology, biochemistry, microbiology, neuroscience, or biomedical engineering) Physical sciences (such as chemistry, physics, environmental science, or geology) Social sciences (such as psychology, sociology, anthropology, or economics)
What is the most accepted pre-med major?
Best Pre-Med Majors Based on the Acceptance Rate
Medical school acceptance rates by major are as follows: Biological Sciences - 43% Humanities - 52% Math and Statistics - 52%
What is the best pre-med for med school?
What is the best pre-med major? Biochemistry and microbiology are the most popular pre-med majors. These biological sciences focus on the way living organisms work, offering a great foundation for a medical school application.
What major best prepares you for medical school?
According to this data, there are three major groups—humanities, math and statistics, and physical sciences—that enjoy higher admissions rates than others. In fact, these are the only three groups that get into medical school at a rate greater than 45 percent.
What undergraduate degree is best for a doctor of medicine?
The reason that many folks will recommend a science degree (typically in biology, chemistry, biochemistry) is that the coursework will positively impact those 3 three requirements with the highest efficiency. It also has the side benefit of giving a solid foundation in the basic science portion of medical education.
The BEST PRE-MED MAJOR | Proven By Med School Acceptance Data
What is the best major for a medical doctor?
According to the BLS, 48.7 percent of all physicians and surgeons employed in 2015 chose biology as their undergraduate major [1]. The Association of American Medical Colleges reports that over half of all 2021-2022 medical school applicants majored in biology or biological sciences for their undergraduate degrees [2].
What undergraduate degree has the highest acceptance rate to 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.
Do med schools care what major you are?
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 is the fastest way to get into medical school?
Becoming a doctor on the fastest route means applying traditionally at the end of junior year and getting in on your first try. This is easier said than done. According to data released by AAMC, 52,577 people applied to medical school in 2023, applying to an average of 18 schools each.
What is the hardest field in medical school?
What is the most difficult type of doctor specialty? Neurosurgery is known to be particularly challenging because of the intricate nature of the nervous system and the significant risks involved in surgical procedures.
What is the hardest pre-med major?
Many of the fields that are important to study of medicine are also some of the hardest majors. These include molecular biology, chemistry, and physics. Because of this, pre-med students often have a difficult time choosing what to focus on during their undergraduate years.
Is a 3.7 GPA good for pre-med?
A GPA of 3.7 is far from low and is generally competitive for many medical schools. Remember that medical schools assess various elements of your application, including your MCAT score, extracurriculars, and personal qualities.
What major helps most with MCAT?
Interestingly, the highest average MCAT for medical school applicants is earned by math and statistics majors (511.9). However, this group also has the smaller number of applicants (344 applicants last year). Compare this to more than 30,000 biological science majors.
What degree is best for pre-med?
- Biological sciences (such as biology, biochemistry, microbiology, neuroscience, or biomedical engineering)
- Physical sciences (such as chemistry, physics, environmental science, or geology)
- Social sciences (such as psychology, sociology, anthropology, or economics)
What increases your chances of getting into med school?
In addition to good grades and taking the right courses, acing the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is essential if you want to get into medical school. The MCAT is a standardized test that is used by medical schools to assess your knowledge and readiness for medical school.
What is a good MCAT score?
Earning a 515 or higher on the MCAT makes you a top applicant for medical school admissions. A score of 515 on the MCAT is an important score threshold because it means you've earned a 91st percentile score. According to the AAMC, earning a 514 or better on the MCAT results in a 70% acceptance rate.
What is the easiest MD to get?
- Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R) ...
- Emergency medicine. ...
- Family medicine. ...
- Internal medicine. ...
- Pathology. ...
- Pediatrics. ...
- Psychiatry. ...
- Anesthesiology.
What do most doctors major in?
- 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.
What GPA do med schools like?
A competitive GPA for medical school is generally 3.6 or higher. On average, successful matriculants — students who are accepted and enroll — have higher GPAs than other applicants. These averages provide a good benchmark for what medical schools consider competitive.
Do med schools like BA or BS?
Yes, you can go to medical school with any undergraduate degree. Medical schools are looking for well-rounded applicants who not only excel academically but also bring diverse perspectives and skills to the table.
What is the most popular pre-med major?
Biochemistry and microbiology are the most popular pre-med majors. These biological sciences focus on the way living organisms work, offering a great foundation for a medical school application. But there's no one-size-fits-all answer to what the best pre-med major will be for each person.
Will a 3.8 GPA get me into med school?
Many admissions officers view a GPA of 3.8 as very competitive, and they like to see at least a GPA of 3.5 or above. These scores will be especially competitive if your major is related to medicine, and it's even better if it's a difficult science major like neuroscience or physics.
What undergraduate degree is best for doctor of medicine?
The Bachelor of Science is one of the most popular starting points for a career in medicine or the health sciences.