2. What is the best major (or, what do you mean, there’s no Pre-Med major?!)?

Students planning to attend a health profession school are free to choose any major for their undergraduate studies, so the U of A does not offer a “pre-med,” or “pre-dental,” major. Health Profession schools have certain courses that they require, but not a particular major. In fact, they prefer that you pursue what interests you most whether that is a science major, history, art or engineering. You may plan to become a doctor, dentist, physical therapist, or any other kind of health professional, but to reach that goal you must (in almost all cases) complete an undergraduate degree.

What’s the Right Major?

There is no one right major; the “best” choice depends on who you are. One question you should ask yourself is this: “if I’m not accepted to my health profession school, what career field will I enter?” If you love science, see yourself working in a laboratory or research setting or otherwise hope to work in an environment where a background in science is a must, then a science major may be right for you. If you would choose to teach literature, play in a symphony or start a business, then you should look into a major that will help prepare you for that career field.

If you have already completed your undergraduate degree, you may be wondering if the degree you earned will help or hurt your application to a health professional program. As long as you have completed the prerequisite courses for your program and otherwise meet the admission criteria for the schools to which you are applying any major you chose fits into the story of how you have arrived at this point in your life and are applying to professional school. No one major is necessarily any "better" than another.

But Surely a Science Major is Better?

A science major is NOT a prerequisite for successful application to medical or other health profession schools. Successful applicants come from all departments, and students are encouraged to major in an area of genuine interest. The biological sciences all require the same introductory courses, and because choosing a major is not required until the end of the sophomore year, students may wait until completing introductory Biology 181 before choosing a major. However, non-science majors can choose the pre-health thematic minor, which adds an additional ten upper-division units to the basic chemistry, biology and physics courses.

Health profession schools want to know that you are skilled in the sciences, but also want you to explore your interests and strengths as you complete your undergraduate education. These institutions are not looking for “cookie-cutter” applicants and they don’t want 1,000 applications from students who have all taken the same classes; they want to know who you are, and what you are able to offer the profession. This can be reflected, among other ways, in your choice of major.

For example, when you choose a major in a field that fascinates you, that feeling of passion will come through in your application. You are more likely to excel in your classes and select courses that push and expand your development, and in doing so you are demonstrating your motivation and ability to learn (knowledge). These are two of the characteristics medical schools will be looking for in their successful applicants (for more information about these four characteristics, see question 1).

Also, admission to health profession schools is highly competitive. Many successful health professionals were not ready and not accepted the first time they applied to professional school. Instead, they finished their degrees, pursued other interests, additional educational opportunities or related careers and then applied successfully to their professional school. If you have a degree in a field that interests you as well as a background in the pre-requisites for a health-professional school, you may be more marketable as an employee.

The advisors in the Pre Health Professions Advising Center can help you look for the right major for you. If you are just starting your college education, as long as you are starting with the math, science and general education classes required by the pre-health curriculum you have time to make the right decision for you. If you have completed your undergraduate degree, we can help you consider how your degree has helped you be a stronger candidate.