What it’s about:

If you want to be a medical doctor, osteopathic doctor, or podiatrist, you must go to medical school, and that means you have to take certain courses in college. Premedicine is not itself a major-just those prerequisite courses. It’s also an advising program to help you get into medical school.

What the study of this major is like:

“Declaring” premed may be as simple as checking off a box on your college application or filling out a form during orientation. In any event, you should contact the premed adviser at your college as soon as you enroll.

The adviser’s role is critical to your success in college. He or she will help you plan your premedical course work, choose a major, overcome any academic difficulties, and find internships or community service opportunities. You will also receive help applying to med school, preparing for the Medical College Application Test (MCAT), securing and sending letters of recommendation, preparing for interviews, and making a successful transition to medical school.

The premed science requirements include a full year (two semesters) each of general chemistry, biology, organic chemistry, and physics. Some medical school also require either one or two semesters of calculus. Other courses that, although not required, will help you prepare for the MCAT and medical school are cell biology, biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, and physiology. Because there is a two- to three-year sequence in the required science courses, you should take general chemistry and biology in your first year, no matter what you decide to major in.

It is important to know that premed is not just about science. Medical schools look for well-rounded students who possess a broad background in the humanities and social sciences. For example, English courses will provide an opportunity to sharpen your writing skills, a philosophy course will help you develop critical thinking skills and a moral compass, and psychology courses can help you understand the connection between mind and body. At most colleges you can usually fulfill the nonsciencepremed requirements by taking courses in the core liberal arts program.

Because the premed requirements emphasize science, the field in which their interests lie, most premed students choose a science major-but about 15 to 20 percent do not. Not only can students pursue a nonscience major, but most medical schools, seeking diversity, look with favor on applicants who take this route. If you are considering a nonscience major, however, you should realize that you must excel in the science courses you do take and that because of scheduling conflicts between premed and major-course requirements, you may not be able to graduate in four years.

During college you will need to pace yourself. Avoid taking more than two science and/or math courses per semester, and if you want to enter med school right after college, plan to complete your science/math requirements by the end of your third year, so that you can take the MCAT and then apply to med school during your fourth year. In addition, to be competitive you should consider taking honors and independent-study courses. Your premed advisor will help you juggle this challenging course load.

A premed program is not just about schoolwork, either. A successful premed student usually spends an average of 15-20 hours per week in extracurricular activities (clinical, research, or community service work) during the academic year, and 40-50 hours per week during school breaks. When selecting colleges, look to see if opportunities for such experiences are easily available nearby, and if you will receive help in obtaining them.

Career options and trends:

Medical doctor*; osteopathic doctor*; podiatrist; physician assistant; physician/scientist*; optometrist; physical therapist; radiologist.

Medical school graduates must complete the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), Parts I-III. Physicians must be licensed in each state in which they want to practice; there are some interstate and regional agreements between and among states. In addition, in order to maintain their licenses, physicians must complete a certain amount of continuing medical education (CME) credits each year.

There is a particular need for general practitioners, geriatricians, psychiatrists, and podiatrists. In addition, because of a growing interest among patients in alternative cures and treatments, there is expected to be an increased demand for naturopathic physicians.

Source: CollegeBoard 2012 Book of Majors