Academic Programs

Medical schools do not require a specific major of their applicants or matriculants. Admission boards are aware that medical students can develop the essential skills of acquiring, synthesizing, applying, and communicating information through a wide variety of academic disciplines. Nevertheless, a large number of premedical students select majors in the natural/physical sciences. Perhaps most do so because they are fascinated by science majors and view them as a good foundation for a variety of career options. However, selecting science as a means to enhance chances for admission to medical school is not usually in a student’s long-term best interest. Note that medical schools seek students whose intellectual curiosity leads them to a variety of disciplines and whose intellectual maturity assures that their efforts are persistent and disciplined. Students may major in any subject they wish as long as they complete the minimum required science courses.

MINORS

A question often asked is what are good minors that may enhance qualifications for medical school? It is important to note that what most medical schools want to see in applicants is that a student possesses an honest interest in whatever they both majored AND minored in. The subject matter is not the point, as long as the student has covered the medical school pre-requisites. For the most part, the type of minor that may be selected by students usually matters very little to medical schools, which is ESPECIALLY true if both a major and minor are in science departments. A minor, if selected, can be used to justify an interest and does not have to reflect a specific health profession focus.

Common Majors/Minors of Premedical Studies Students:

BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES (Non-Bio Majors)
BIOCHEMISTRY
CHEMISTRY
DISABILITY STUDIES
EXERCISE SCIENCE MINOR
HEALTH, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, AND DISABILITY
HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND FAMILY STUDIES
LINGUISTICS
MEDICAL DIAGNOSTICS
MEDICAL HUMANITIES
NEUROSCIENCE
NUTRITION
PUBLIC HEALTH
PSYCHOLOGY MINOR
SOCIOLOGY
SPANISH FOR HEALTHCARE
All University of Delaware majors and minors