Best Premed Majors for Medical School Admissions in 2025

Choosing a college major as a premed student can feel like walking a tightrope. Should you pick something science-heavy to “look the part”? Or should you go with what you genuinely enjoy and excel in? Let me tell you what I wish I knew earlier — because I made a very common mistake.

My Experience Choosing a Premed Major (And What I’d Do Differently)

I started college as a biology major because I thought I was going to dental school. Every dentist I'd ever met had majored in biology or something similar, so I assumed it was the “right” choice. But partway through my senior year, I pivoted toward medical school. I switched to biomedical sciences and chemistry because it felt more in line with what doctors study and what was covered on the MCAT.

Looking back, I wish someone had warned me about the GPA risk of science-heavy majors. Many upper-level science courses are graded harshly, have demanding lab components, and are packed with premeds vying for As. For someone like me — who wasn’t always the best at showing up to early classes or grinding through long lab reports — that added difficulty led to a few Bs that lowered my GPA just enough to make me a less competitive applicant.

In hindsight, I also wish I’d realized that you don’t have to major in a science to go to med school. If I’d known that, I might’ve majored in something like art or philosophy — subjects I genuinely enjoyed. There won’t be many other times in your life where you can explore those interests so deeply. And medical schools? They care more about your GPA and whether you completed prerequisites than they do about your major.

A 4.0 in English with a strong MCAT score often looks better than a 3.7 in biochemistry with an average MCAT score. Don’t fall into the trap of majoring in something just because it sounds premed.

Do Majors Matter for Medical School?

Yes and no.

Medical schools do not require any specific major. What they care about is that you:

• Complete the required science prerequisites (biology, chemistry, physics, etc.)

• Score competitively on the MCAT

• Maintain a strong science GPA (also called BCPM GPA)

• Show mastery of AAMC core competencies (communication, ethics, reasoning, etc.)

So technically, you can major in anything — neuroscience, art history, or even theater — as long as your application is strong. But your major can still influence your success in key areas:

• Your GPA and course difficulty

• Your ability to fit in clinical and extracurriculars

• Your story/narrative in personal statements and interviews

In short, your major doesn’t get you in — but it can make your journey easier or harder depending on your choices.

What Are the Most Common Premed Majors?

According to the AAMC (2023 data):

Major Category	% of Applicants	Acceptance Rate
Biological Sciences	58%	41%
Physical Sciences	9%	46%
Social Sciences	10%	39%
Humanities	3%	48%
Specialized Health Sci.	6%	36%
Math and Statistics	1%	47%
Other	13%	38%

Key Insight: The highest acceptance rates often come from applicants who majored in humanities or math/statistics, not biological sciences. Majoring in something less traditional can actually give you an edge — if paired with a solid academic and clinical profile.

Science Majors: Pros and Cons

Biological Sciences Pros:

• Closely aligned with med school prerequisites

• Covers most MCAT material

• Strong premed advising communities on campus

Cons:

• Competitive curves can suppress GPA

• May feel repetitive if you don’t love biology

• Less room for unique application angles

Biochemistry, Neuroscience, PhysiologyPros:

• In-depth coverage of relevant medical concepts

• Excellent MCAT prep

Cons:

• Course loads are lab-heavy and demanding

• Limited schedule flexibility for electives or service

Chemistry or Physics Pros:

• Demonstrates quantitative and analytical strength

• Unique among biology-heavy applicant pool

Cons:

• High risk of GPA drag due to rigorous grading

• May lack direct patient-care context

Non-Science Majors: Pros and Cons

Psychology or Sociology Pros:

• Directly covered on the MCAT (Psych/Soc section)

• Deep understanding of patient behavior and empathy

Cons:

• Requires you to take additional science prerequisites separately

• Must still show scientific rigor through GPA and MCAT

Humanities (Philosophy, English, History, etc.)Pros:

• Highest acceptance rate (48%) per AAMC

• Emphasizes communication, writing, and ethics — key competencies

Cons:

• Heavy reliance on doing well in non-major science classes

• Might require more MCAT self-study in science content

Economics or Political Science Pros:

• Great fit for applicants interested in health policy or global health

• Encourages strategic thinking and systems analysis

Cons:

• Less overlap with prerequisites

• Fewer faculty mentors in clinical/research spaces

Special Cases: Engineering, Public Health, and Interdisciplinary Majors

Engineering (Biomedical, Mechanical, etc.) Pros:

• One of the most respected majors in terms of academic rigor

• Sharpens technical thinking, logic, and perseverance

Cons:

• Time-consuming; often leads to fewer extracurriculars

• GPA risk due to heavy course loads

Public Health Pros:

• Relevant for population health and underserved care

• Aligns with primary care or global health-focused programs

Cons:

• Needs to be paired with strong science grades

• Varies widely in quality and rigor across schools

Interdisciplinary Majors (e.g., Neuroscience & Ethics, Global Health Studies) Pros:

• Helps you craft a unique personal statement and story

• Great for showing holistic understanding of medicine

Cons:

• Requires close advising to ensure prereqs are completed on time

How Med Schools Evaluate Majors (And Why GPA Still Rules)

Med schools assess your academics using two key metrics:

• Science GPA (BCPM): Includes biology, chemistry, physics, and math classes only

• Cumulative GPA: Your total GPA across all subjects

Other considerations:

• Difficulty of major: Admissions committees know which majors are considered tougher (e.g., engineering vs. public health)

• GPA trends: Upward trends or academic recovery are respected

• Personal narrative: Your major should support the story you tell in your essays

👉 Translation: A 3.8 in philosophy with a 512 MCAT and excellent clinical experience will likely be more competitive than a 3.2 in chemistry with the same MCAT.

Should You Choose a Passion Major or a Strategic One?

Passion Major:

• Easier to stay motivated and perform well

• Makes personal statements more compelling

• Helps you maintain mental health and avoid burnout

Strategic Major:

• Efficient for completing med school prerequisites

• Viewed as academically rigorous

• Familiar to admissions committees

📌 Smart Strategy: Pick a major you enjoy and can excel in — even if it’s not traditional. Just make sure you’re able to complete science prerequisites with strong grades.

Comparison Chart: Pros and Cons of Popular Premed Majors

Major Type	Academic Rigor	Med School Prep	GPA Risk	Unique Value Adds
Biology	High	Excellent	Moderate	Common, expected
Chemistry	Very High	Strong	High	Analytical edge
Psychology	Moderate	Good (MCAT psyc)	Low	Empathy, behavior
Philosophy	Moderate	Needs supplement	Low	Writing, ethics
Engineering	Very High	Indirect	Very High	Problem-solving
Public Health	Moderate	Good (pop health)	Low	Policy alignment
Economics	Moderate	Low	Low	Systems-level view
Interdisciplinary	Varies	Depends	Varies	Personal narrative

Summary Recommendations: What’s the Best Premed Major in 2025?

1. Choose a major you actually enjoy. You’ll get better grades, feel less burnt out, and write stronger essays.

2. Protect your GPA. It still matters — a lot. Choose classes and majors that set you up for academic success.

3. Use your major to tell your story. Link your academic path to your personal journey into medicine.

4. Plan prerequisites early. Every major can work — but you need to be proactive in taking biology, chemistry, physics, and biochem.

5. Stand out — but stay prepared. Non-traditional majors can differentiate you — as long as you back it up with strong science performance.

Final Thoughts

There’s no single “best” premed major for getting into medical school — but there is a best major for you.

One that you’ll thrive in. One that lets you explore your interests while still meeting all the prerequisites. One that supports your GPA, story, and sanity.

Whether it’s biology, sociology, philosophy, or biomedical engineering — choose with intention, not fear.

You only get one undergraduate experience. Make it count.

Need help building a competitive premed application? Start here: How to Get Into Med School (Ultimate 2025 Guide)