Which college classes are best for a pre-med track?

Hi there! I'm a junior considering a pre-med track, but I'm not entirely sure what courses I should take in college to prepare for med school. What have been some of the most beneficial courses for those of you on the med track?

Certainly! As a pre-med student, your aim would be to meet the prereqs for med school and strengthen your science foundation, while also developing a broad knowledge base. So, the best classes for you would ideally offer a mix of both.

For science prerequisites, it's usually recommended to have Biology, Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physics, and possibly Biochemistry. Many med schools also require a year of English or courses involving substantial writing.

Highly recommended courses for pre-med students include Anatomy (if offered) and Physiology, as these will help you lay a strong foundation for medical school and the MCAT. Courses in Genetics, Microbiology, or Cell Biology are also beneficial.

In addition, med schools will also value a well-rounded education, and your classes outside of the sciences are a good opportunity to demonstrate this. Consider courses in Ethics, Psychology, Sociology, or the Humanities. These can help you gain a broader perspective on healthcare, develop empathy and understanding of non-scientific aspects that influence health outcomes.

Try to balance your pre-med requisites with courses of personal interest. Completing a major that you truly enjoy is not only beneficial academically, but can also lead to deeper engagement and meaningful extracurricular experiences. It's important to note that you can still be pre-med and major in something unrelated to science!

Finally, the specific requirements can vary between med schools, so it could be beneficial to check with the medical schools you're interested in about their specific prerequisites.