10 of the Best Majors for Pre-med Students
10 of the Best Majors for Pre-med Students
If you are in high school and have your sights set on attending medical school, you’re probably a dedicated and hardworking student. There is a decent chance that you have already spent hours scouring the internet in search of the best majors for a pre-med track. Excellent choices of pre-med majors include biology, math, kinesthesiology, biochemistry, physics, statistics, and chemistry. It’s no secret that medical schools like to see well-rounded applicants. Some outside-the-box majors for pre-med students include English, anthropology, or psychology. If you choose one of the less traditional pre-med majors, be sure to load up on medical school prerequisites when choosing your electives.
There is more that goes into a successful medical school application than just a choice of major. It’s also important to perform well in high school, gain valuable experience, and join organizations like NSHSS that will support you throughout your professional journey.
Tips to Gain a Competitive Edge for High Schoolers
While preparing to apply for and ultimately attend college as a pre-med major can be overwhelming, it can help to break the process down into steps. If you can find a hospital or practice that will let you, try shadowing a doctor for the day. This can help you stand out in the increasingly competitive applicant pool, and it can confirm that you truly do want to make this investment in your education and future professional life. Medical field majors, in general, are often rigorous and time-intensive. There are things you can do to effectively prime your skills while you’re still in high school. You may want to work on developing your study habits. If you hope to attend medical school, you already know that a high GPA is important. Sharpening your study skills will help you in medical school; it can also be key to keeping your GPA high from start to finish.
Prerequisites for Medical School
There are prerequisites you’ll need to take if you’d like to attend medical school. Most schools don’t require the prerequisites to be finished before you apply; they just need to be finished before you begin medical school. Some of the most universally necessary prerequisites for medical school include general chemistry, organic chemistry, genetic biology, anatomy and physiology, molecular biology, and biochemistry. Other important prerequisites for medical school include basic physics, English, and basic math courses.
Valuable Resources to Help You Prepare for the Application Process
If you’re looking for an in-depth overview that will tell you everything you need to know about the process of applying to medical school, look no further than this video. To get an inside look at what your future in medical school might look like, check out this Q&A session with NHSS member Ton La, Jr., which covers everything from what it’s like to attend your first year of medical school to challenges, advice, and tips to help you conquer the application process. This interview provides valuable information about gaining experience, the MCAT exam, and the AMCAS application.
Get Ahead with NSHSS
The ball is in your court. There is so much you can do to set yourself apart from other applicants. One great place to start is applying for lifetime membership in NSHSS. You can do this by following this link. Once you get to the webpage, you can either choose to accept an existing NSHSS invitation that you received in the mail -- or if you qualify, you can apply for membership directly from the site. The benefits of joining NSHSS are limitless. As a member, you’ll be able to apply for unique NSHSS scholarships, become a part of a community of lifelong learners, make valuable connections, unlock personal development opportunities and internships, and so much more. NSHSS is truly dedicated to helping you reach your goals in high school, pre-med, and beyond.