Public Health major for Pre-Med?

[Anonymous]

Would there be any concerns with majoring in Public Health in terms of med school admission assuming a student completes all prerequisites? Is it safer or preferred to major in something like Biology, Neuroscience or Chemistry?

[Anonymous]

I suspect you're not going to get a lot of answers as public health is a newer/rarer major that many won't be familiar with here. I looked at the requirements of the UMD program and it looks like a good way to bang out most of your premed requirements. The disadvantage would be that is a lot of people have probably figured this out and you'll be in a lot of classes with other premeds. In general, med schools don't care about major, only grades and if you have all prereqs.

[Anonymous]

Yes, my son got a Public Health degree to get into medical school. He is now a research scientist while taking a year off to study for the MCATS.

[Anonymous]

You could major in philosophy or English and it wouldn't matter, so long as you have the prerequisites. (In fact, some people say it's better to have a divergent major for med school admissions.)

[Anonymous]

Med schools do not care about majors. Unless it's something really challenging. Like say Biomedical Engineering/Chemical Engineering. Do that and you will get a leg up simply because maintaining a high GPA with that major is challenging versus say Biology or Psychology major.

I'd recommend majoring in something you like but also think about what is a good major in case you decide not to attend medical school. If you go that route, you want to still be able to find a job after your undergrad.

[Anonymous]

doesn't matter. GPA and MCATS are what matter

[Anonymous]

I teach in a med school. Lots of my students studied public health, either in undergrad or in an MPH program. Those students often do interesting public health projects and research in med school. And sometimes have done these things before med school -- which can lead to great personal statements that show dedication to public service or research or whatever.

I don't think it's a preferred major in any way though. Major in whatever you want, as long as it allows you to 1) get the science prereqs in, and 2) gain the knowledge needed for the MCAT (I don't know why, but people seem to forget there is physics on there).

[Anonymous]

One possible advantage of a public health major is that your son would get a better understanding of health from the patient/population side. He might learn something or be exposed to topics that ignite a specific passion for him, and that could lead him to research/internship opportunities that would give him a more confident approach to his application essays and interviews.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:doesn't matter. GPA and MCATS are what matter

Are you my MIL who shops for clothes at Nordstrom's and then picks up a few groceries at Giant's? Maybe stop for a sandwich at Panera's?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Med schools do not care about majors. Unless it's something really challenging. Like say Biomedical Engineering/Chemical Engineering. Do that and you will get a leg up simply because maintaining a high GPA with that major is challenging versus say Biology or Psychology major.

I'd recommend majoring in something you like but also think about what is a good major in case you decide not to attend medical school. If you go that route, you want to still be able to find a job after your undergrad.

False. The med schools want to see success in the sciences.

[Anonymous]

My now-in-medical-school daughter did a minor in public health and has found it so beneficial. She thinks all pre-meds should be required to take at least a handful of public health classes

So long as they get the pre-reqs, major doesn't really matter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Med schools do not care about majors. Unless it's something really challenging. Like say Biomedical Engineering/Chemical Engineering. Do that and you will get a leg up simply because maintaining a high GPA with that major is challenging versus say Biology or Psychology major.

I'd recommend majoring in something you like but also think about what is a good major in case you decide not to attend medical school. If you go that route, you want to still be able to find a job after your undergrad.

False. The med schools want to see success in the sciences.

You can demonstrate this without majoring in one. It's a pita, but can be done.

[Anonymous]

My DD is majoring in Medical Humanities for pre-med. Would that be okay? Also is it common to take a year off to study for the MCATS? That’s my DD’s plan.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DD is majoring in Medical Humanities for pre-med. Would that be okay? Also is it common to take a year off to study for the MCATS? That’s my DD’s plan.

Yes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DD is majoring in Medical Humanities for pre-med. Would that be okay? Also is it common to take a year off to study for the MCATS? That’s my DD’s plan.

That major is fine, as long as she has the necessary GPA in the science classes. I don't know why it would be necessary to take an entire "year off to study for the MCAT."