What Undergrad Degree for Med School: 10 Popular Options

Many aspiring medical students may assume they need a bachelor's degree in biology or other science to apply to medical school. While that's certainly a popular choice, it's not the only one. Majoring in biology does not typically give you an advantage with the admissions committees at medical schools, and many majors can help you ace the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) suggests choosing a major that interests you rather than one that you think a medical school wants you to choose [1]. This can help make those undergrad years a little easier. You must ensure you meet any prerequisites necessary for getting into medical school, which will vary by school but usually include taking a certain number of science courses and courses in other areas like math or English. 

Keep reading this guide to get an idea of what undergrad degree for med school is best for you and why it might be a good choice.

What undergrad degree for med school? 

The AAMC reports that many aspiring doctors assume they must major in biology or another biological science to get into medical school, but that's not the case [1]. In 2021, 60 percent of all medical school applicants majored in a subject that falls under the umbrella of biological sciences, with the other 40 percent majoring in the physical sciences, social sciences, humanities, specialized health sciences, math, and many others [2]. The American Medical Association (AMA) also reports that 30,921 biological sciences majors applied to medical school for the 2020–2021 school year, but only about 40 percent matriculated [2].  

Majoring in biology or any science at all isn't required for medical school. Instead, admissions committees typically look at your overall performance as an undergraduate student. They also examine your life experiences, interviews, extracurricular activities, research, letters of recommendation, and whether you meet other admissions requirements, like GPA, courses, and MCAT scores. The only potential downside to choosing a major outside of the science spectrum is that you must take additional courses to fulfill those requirements.  

Why your undergrad degree matters

Whether you major in science or something unique, like a foreign language, your undergrad degree does matter when you apply to medical school, but it's not always for the reasons you might think. Getting any bachelor's degree requires commitment, and achieving a high GPA while you earn that degree requires even more. Choosing an undergrad degree in a subject area you are passionate about will hold your interest and generally help your overall performance. When you're passionate about what you do, you're more likely to create experiences that help you become more well-rounded and show the admissions committee who you are and what you can bring to their program. 

Your undergrad degree can also help you build the human skills you need for a medical career, like communication and time management. And while you'll learn basic concepts needed for medicine in your science courses, taking other courses can also help you succeed. For example, a business major may better understand how to run a practice, while a theater major may empathize more with their patients. 

Read more: What Is an Undergraduate Degree?

10 undergrad options for med school 

People have studied all types of majors and gone on to become doctors. Focus on what you want to study and how it can help you advance towards your professional goals. Here are 10 potential options to help you make a decision: 

1. Biology 

While a biology degree isn't a requirement for medical school, it's still a popular choice. It can be a good option if you are interested in biology, which studies living things and their processes. Since you want to become a doctor, there's a chance you have an interest in this subject. When you choose this option, meeting those medical school course prerequisites is easier, but you may consider taking a few non-science electives to show just how well-rounded you are. It's also important to note that you can choose a related major that falls under the biological sciences, such as zoology, microbiology, or neuroscience. 

2. Biochemistry

If you're interested in a career in a field like immunology, genetics, or epidemiology, you might consider a major in biochemistry. It still falls under the biological sciences category but focuses on how living things and chemical processes relate and interact, building a bridge between biology and chemistry.

3. Physical science

If a science degree interests you, but you prefer not to study any of the biological sciences, consider a physical science major instead. Areas of study in this category include geology, physics, Earth sciences, astronomy, and chemistry. These majors will help you fulfill your coursework for med school while allowing you to study a unique scientific topic that interests you. According to the AMA, physical sciences were the third-most common majors after biology and "other" for students who matriculated to medical school in 2020 [2]. 

4. Psychology 

Social sciences, especially psychology, are often a good choice for students who want to go to medical school. Building a foundation with psychology courses can set you up to better understand your patients' emotions and behaviors when you become a doctor. Of course, psychology can help prepare you for specialties like psychiatry, but it can also prepare you to work with certain population segments, like pediatrics or geriatrics. The MCAT contains a psychology section, and you may find that some of your required medical school coursework falls under this major's scope.

5. Exercise science

Exercise science is the study of how the body moves, responds, and adapts to exercise. People who major in this subject often go on to work in areas like athletic training, coaching, cardiac rehabilitation, physical therapy, and occupational therapy, and you can also take your knowledge and skills to medical school. It's a good choice if you're interested in sports medicine but can benefit many other specialties. You'll also take numerous courses that double as med school prerequisites for your major.

6. Public health

A bachelor's degree in public health is ideal for you if you are concerned about the health of populations as a whole. Work in this area can range from helping others achieve a healthy lifestyle to fighting infectious diseases. This degree typically combines biological sciences and social sciences, and you might choose it if a specialty like medical epidemiology interests you. This is another degree in which some of your required coursework will likely overlap with the requirements for medical school.

7. Mathematics

If you have a mathematical mind and enjoy numbers, you might consider a mathematics degree. Many medical schools list math classes as prerequisites, particularly calculus and statistics, so you'll typically cover those as a math major. Taking courses like calculus can also help change how you think about certain things, which can benefit your medical career. Math students typically do well on the MCAT. Earning a math degree also helps you develop important human skills necessary for becoming a doctor, like problem-solving and analytical thinking.

8. Bioengineering

A bioengineering degree combines biological sciences and engineering. In a world where technology continuously becomes a dominant part of all aspects of life, it's a great choice for aspiring doctors. Not only will you learn about the human body, but you'll also develop a mindset for problem-solving issues humans face regarding their health. This degree might appeal to you if you're interested in regenerative medicine, molecular engineering, synthetic biology, or global health.

9. English

A humanities degree like English may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of getting into med school, but it can be a valuable tool that sets you on the right path. English majors learn how to communicate verbally and in writing, a human skill doctors must possess. According to the AMA, humanities was the fifth-most common major for medical school students who matriculated in 2020 [2].

10. Foreign language

Another popular option for a humanities degree that can serve you well in your medical career is a foreign language. By learning another language, you can communicate with a whole new group of patients when you become a doctor. This can benefit you and some underserved communities around the world. Earning a foreign language degree also shows that you are a good communicator and a well-rounded person with interests beyond science.

Tips for choosing your undergrad major before med school

Med schools will look at your individual performance while you were in college rather than the major you chose. Here are a few more tips for making your decision:

• Choose a topic that will hold your interest for four or more years while you complete your degree. 

• Choose a topic that will challenge you and allow you to maintain a high GPA and strong overall performance. 

• You will need to take some science courses, even if you don't earn a science degree.

• Keep your career goals in mind; if you want to travel abroad and work as a doctor, a foreign language might be a good major, but if you want to work in sports medicine, exercise science might be ideal. 

• Learn what other opportunities a certain degree will help you achieve, like internships and entry-level jobs.   

• If you want to go to a certain medical school, make sure you fully understand their requirements.   

• Get help from your advisor to ensure that no matter which major you choose, you're on a pre-med track. 

Getting started with Coursera

One way to figure out what you want to major in and explore various career goals is to take online courses to understand certain subject areas. On Coursera, you'll find hundreds of healthcare-related options to help you decide. Some examples include Medical Neuroscience, offered by Duke University; Stories of Infection, offered by Stanford University; and Anatomy of the Chest, Neck, Abdomen, and Pelvis, offered by Yale University.