Majority of the students who apply to and get accepted in medical school are science majors. They spend their college years studying vertebrate anatomy and organic chemistry to prepare themselves for medical school. So, what if you took up journalism or political science in college only to find out that a career in medicine is your true calling? Can you still get into medical school?
Yes, you still can. Yes, you can get into medical school because having a science major in college has never been a requirement, but you still need to accomplish certain medical school prerequisites to qualify for admissions. Before filling up that medical school application form, make sure that you get passing marks in the required science courses for medical school.
Science courses required in medical school
Although a science major is not necessary to get into medical school, you are still required to take up science courses to qualify for enrollment. The required science courses include biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. In most medical schools, applicants are also required to take up basic psychology units to qualify for enrollment. Basic psychology is a good preparation for medical psychology, especially if you are interested in pursuing a career in psychiatry. Non-science courses like English, humanities, and social sciences are also needed.
Personal statement tips for non-science majors
When it comes to academic background, science majors have an advantage over non-science majors like you. Science majors have more experience in dissection and other laboratory work and in naming organic compounds. To increase your chances of getting accepted in the medical school of your choice, you have to submit a well-written personal statement. Personal statement is a written appeal to the admission evaluators that explains why you are worthy of a slot in medical school. Your goal in writing your personal statement for medical school is to convince the admission evaluators that your non-science major is essential to medical practice. Take time to reflect on the things you learned while you were in college and try to associate them with medical practice.
Although it is not required to get you into medical school, science major is still the preferred pre-medical degree by most medical schools. But if you already finished history or fine arts, don’t give up just yet. Besides, hard work and determination are all you need to succeed in medical school.
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