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The journey to medical school is a topic frequently discussed among college students, driven by factors such as salary, prestige, and, perhaps, the allure of shows like Grey’s Anatomy. With increasing competition, aspiring medical students are keen to discover which majors may enhance their chances of admission to medical and dental schools.
We’ve analyzed the latest data to compile a list of the most popular majors among future doctors. Interestingly, despite its popularity, Biology is known for having one of the lowest acceptance rates for medical school applicants:
- Biology
- Biochemistry, Biophysics, Molecular Biology
- Psychology
- Chemistry
- Nursing
- Health/Medical Preparatory Programs
- English
- Biomedical Engineering
- Economics
- History
What explains the lower acceptance rates for Biology majors, despite their popularity? We will explore that and provide a complete ranking of the top majors below, but first, let’s delve into the reasons behind the acceptance rates of these popular fields.
The Acceptance Challenge for Biology Majors
While the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) provides insights into medical school admissions, specific data by major remains elusive. To gather our information, we analyzed over 7.5 million resumes to identify the most common majors among practicing doctors.
Despite comprising 40 percent of all med school applicants, Biology majors face one of the lowest acceptance rates. While the AAMC does not disclose specific acceptance rates for individual majors, they categorize applicants into six general major groups:
| Major Group | Applicants | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Humanities | 1,915 | 46.16% |
| Physical Sciences | 5,069 | 44.17% |
| Math and Statistics | 383 | 42.04% |
| Social Sciences | 5,575 | 41.11% |
| Biological Sciences | 28,582 | 38.88% |
| Other | 9,911 | 38.49% |
| Specialized Health Sciences | 1,607 | 32.79% |
| ALL | 53,042 | 39.65% |
The prevalence of Biology majors can often be attributed to the overlap between major requirements and medical school prerequisites. While this may provide an advantage for the MCAT, it’s crucial to recognize that a solid foundation in organic chemistry, biochemistry, general chemistry, physics, psychology, sociology, and critical analysis is essential for success.
Consequently, it’s not surprising that many Biology majors face challenges in the job market, as they have one of the highest unemployment rates for individuals aged 22-25.
Why Humanities Majors Excel in Medical School Admissions
Your GPA and MCAT scores are paramount in the admissions process. The AAMC recommends pursuing a major you are passionate about, and there are two key reasons for this. First, you are more likely to maintain a high GPA in a field you enjoy. Second, given the competitive nature of medical school admissions, having a backup career path is a prudent strategy.
Moreover, it’s important to note that Humanities majors often achieve the highest total MCAT scores among all major groups, despite maintaining average GPAs and lower science GPAs. This reflects the strong work ethic required to excel in a field that is less science-heavy while still succeeding on the MCAT. Medical schools value personal narratives, medical work experience, and leadership, and candidates who demonstrate genuine passion for medicine are more likely to thrive in the demanding environment of medical school.
How Significant Is Your Major in Medical School Admissions?
In reality, your major holds less significance than you might think in the context of medical school admissions. Even after acceptance, you will revisit many foundational science courses, meaning a science major does not necessarily confer an advantage.
We sought major-level admissions data from the AAMC, but they do not provide matriculation statistics by specific major. This is a deliberate choice, as they aim to discourage students from basing their career paths on the often slim chances of medical school admission. In previous years, medical schools accepted only 39 percent of applicants.
If you are contemplating medical school, consider pursuing a degree in a field that genuinely interests you. You may discover a passion that leads you in an entirely different direction; notably, at prestigious institutions like Harvard, between one-third and two-thirds of pre-med students change their focus before graduation.
Stay tuned for our upcoming analysis on dental school admissions and pre-dental applications.
The 20 Most Popular Majors Among Future Doctors
| Major | Rank |
|---|---|
| Biology | 1 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics, Molecular Biology | 2 |
| Psychology | 3 |
| Chemistry | 4 |
| Nursing | 5 |
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs | 6 |
| English | 7 |
| Biomedical Engineering | 8 |
| Economics | 9 |
| History | 10 |
| Business | 11 |
| Physiology and Anatomy | 12 |
| Cell Biology and Anatomical Science | 13 |
| Pharmacy | 14 |
| Electrical Engineering | 15 |
| Political Science | 16 |
| Anthropology | 17 |
| Biomedical Sciences | 18 |
| Kinesiology | 19 |
| Mathematics | 20 |
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Author
David Luther was the Content Marketing Editor for the Zippia Advice blog. He developed partnerships with external reporting agencies in addition to generating original research and reporting for the Zippia Career Advice blog. David obtained his BA from UNC Chapel Hill.
