Best college majors for becoming a doctor?

Hi everyone! I'm a junior aspiring to hopefully become a doctor one day. I'm starting to consider which major would best prepare me for med school and a career in medicine. Besides the obvious choice of pre-med, are there other majors you would recommend?

Absolutely, there are plenty of majors that can prepare you for medical school. Ultimately, the best major for you will depend on your interests and long-term goals.

It is essential to remember that medical schools do not require students to have a specific degree. Thus, choosing a major should be about expanding your knowledge base in an area that you are passionate about while also ensuring that you are fulfilling prerequisites for medical school.

That being said, certain fields commonly chosen by pre-med students include:

1. Biology or Biomedical Sciences: These majors offer courses that align with typical pre-requisites for medical schools. It also provides anatomical and physiological knowledge which is useful in this career path.

2. Chemistry or Biochemistry: Similar to Biology, these degrees often fulfill pre-med requirements and offer a robust scientific knowledge base.

3. Neuroscience: This is an excellent choice if you're interested in specializing in neurology or psychiatry.

4. Psychology: A less typical choice, but a Psychology major can give you a broad understanding of human behavior and mental processes, parallel to the clinical aspects of medicine.

5. Humanities or Social Sciences: Medical schools appreciate a well-rounded applicant so don't rule out majors like English, History, or Sociology. They can develop your communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills which are valuable in Medicine.

6. Public Health or Health Sciences: These majors can provide you with a broad understanding of healthcare systems and public health issues, and also often satisfy pre-med requirements.

Remember, majoring in one of the hard sciences can have the advantage of covering many of the prerequisites for medical school. However, medical schools value diversity, and a major in the arts or humanities can make an applicant stand out, provided they've also completed the necessary prerequisite courses. Be sure to also focus on maintaining a high GPA, getting a strong MCAT score, and gaining relevant experience in the field through activities like volunteering, shadowing, and research.

Whichever major you choose, be sure to work with your academic advisor to ensure you're taking the required courses for medical school admission. The courses commonly required by medical schools include undergraduate classes in Physics, Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Biology, English, and Mathematics (though this can vary and it's always best to verify with specific institutions you are interested in).