Do Medical Schools Care What You Majored In?

When it comes to preparing for medical school, one of the most persistent myths is that you have to major in biology or another science to be a competitive applicant. While it’s true that many premed students lean toward science-heavy degrees, the truth is much more flexible—and, in some cases, more empowering than you'd think.

Let’s dive into the real answer: No, medical schools don’t care what you majored in—at least, not in the way you might think.

The Official Line

Medical schools do not require you to have a specific major. What they care about are the core prerequisites, your GPA, MCAT score, clinical experience, extracurricular involvement, and evidence of personal qualities like resilience, empathy, and intellectual curiosity.

According to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), nearly half of medical school matriculants major in the biological sciences—but that also means half do not. Students get in with degrees in philosophy, music, history, engineering, business—you name it. As long as the foundational courses are completed (biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, biochemistry, etc.), you’re good to go.

A Personal Perspective: Biology, Then Biomedical Sciences & Chemistry

Take it from someone who has gone through the process.

Like many premeds, I started college majoring in biology, thinking it was the most straightforward path to a career in healthcare. At the time, I believed I wanted to be a dentist. I didn’t know much about the field, so biology felt like a safe, default choice.

As my interests evolved and I set my sights on medical school, I made a shift toward biomedical sciences and chemistry—fields I thought aligned more closely with the “physician” path. In hindsight, the decision was well-intentioned, but came with unintended consequences.

I didn’t give much thought to how this more rigorous double major would affect my med school chances. And to be honest, it probably hurt me. While my GPA and MCAT scores were strong, the heavy course load—especially stacking graduate-level capstone courses—resulted in a B that pulled my GPA down. That one blemish, though not catastrophic, might have made my application slightly less competitive than it could have been with a more strategic major.

How Medical Schools View Your Major

Medical school admissions committees didn’t seem particularly impressed—or concerned—by my choice of major. And why would they be? Nearly half of applicants major in a biological science. To them, my degree was standard. At best, it showed them I could handle challenging science coursework. At worst, it was unremarkable.

This brings up a key insight: A science major won’t make you stand out. It might help you check the boxes more easily and show scientific readiness, but it won’t win you any bonus points. In fact, if you choose a more difficult path that lowers your GPA, it could even backfire.

That said, my background in biomedical sciences and chemistry did help when it came to completing the premed prerequisites. Everything was already baked into my curriculum—except for psychology and sociology. Unfortunately, I had to improvise. I ended up taking multiple anthropology classes to satisfy the sociology requirement because those classes were full by the time I registered. It was a scramble, but I made it work.

The Case for Non-Traditional Majors

If you’re considering a non-science major, you might worry that it will put you at a disadvantage. In reality, it can actually give you an edge.

Here’s how:

• It helps you stand out. If you're one of the few candidates who majored in philosophy, classics, or economics, you immediately become more memorable.

• It rounds you out. Medical schools are looking for well-rounded applicants. A humanities or social science major can help you develop communication skills, ethical reasoning, and cultural competence—qualities essential to being a good doctor.

• It shows courage and curiosity. Pursuing what genuinely interests you signals that you’re intellectually curious and willing to follow your passion, even if it's off the beaten path.

• It can protect your GPA. Some non-STEM majors are less cutthroat or curve-heavy than traditional science majors. If it allows you to earn a higher GPA while still completing your prereqs, that’s a win.

The key is this: No matter what you major in, take the premed prerequisites seriously, and take them early. That gives you flexibility and time to adjust if your path changes.

Final Thoughts and Advice

If you’re on the fence about what to major in, here’s my advice:

Don’t overthink it. Choose a major that genuinely interests you, one you’ll enjoy and succeed in. Just make sure you knock out the premed courses along the way.

Being a premed is already demanding. You’ll need to juggle labs, MCAT prep, shadowing, clinical experience, volunteering, and research. The last thing you want is to be stuck in a major you don’t like, or one that drags your GPA down unnecessarily.

My own journey was a mix of smart decisions and avoidable mistakes. I gained a strong scientific foundation, but perhaps at the cost of a slight GPA dip. Knowing what I know now, I might have taken a broader, more balanced approach. But hindsight is 20/20—and the most important thing is that I stayed committed and adaptable.

In the end, your passion, discipline, and purpose matter more than your major.

Wanna find out more about premed majors? Check out the Best Premed Majors for Medical School Admissions in 2025

For more on how to get into medical school, check out How to Get Into Medical School (The Ultimate 2025 Guide)