So you’re thinking about becoming a doctor, and wondering if Health Science is the right major to get you there. I’ve been down this road (well, not exactly, but I’ve done the research) and I’m here to give you the straight talk on whether Health Science will help or hurt your med school dreams.

The short answer? Health Science can absolutely be a good pre-med major – but there are some important things to consider before you commit.

Is Health Science Right for Your Medical School Journey?

Let’s be real – med schools don’t actually care what your major is.

They care about:

• Whether you’ve completed their prerequisites
• Your GPA (especially in science courses)
• Your MCAT score
• Your extracurriculars and clinical experience

So the question isn’t whether Health Science is “good enough” – it’s whether it’s the right fit for YOU and your specific goals.

Health Science vs. Biology: The Pre-Med Showdown

First, let’s clarify something: Pre-med isn’t a major – it’s a track. You can be pre-med with almost any major as long as you complete the required courses.

Here’s how Health Science and Biology stack up:

Health Science Strengths:

• Broader perspective on healthcare systems and policy
• More exposure to the social aspects of medicine (which is becoming increasingly important)
• Often includes healthcare administration and public health knowledge
• Can provide more career flexibility if you decide medicine isn’t for you
• May feel more directly relevant to your future career

One Harvard Medical School study found that students with interdisciplinary backgrounds often bring valuable perspectives to medicine.

Biology Strengths:

• Deeper dive into the hard sciences that form the foundation of medicine
• Usually automatically covers most prerequisites without extra planning
• More extensive laboratory experience (which med schools love)
• Traditional path that some admissions committees might be more familiar with
• Strong preparation for the science-heavy portions of the MCAT

According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, biology majors have historically made up the largest percentage of medical school applicants.

The Med School Prerequisites Problem

Here’s where Health Science majors sometimes run into trouble: making sure you hit all the prerequisites.

Most medical schools require:

• 1 year of biology with lab
• 1 year of general chemistry with lab
• 1 year of organic chemistry with lab
• 1 year of physics with lab
• 1 semester of biochemistry
• Math (usually calculus and/or statistics)
• English courses

The typical Biology major covers most of these automatically. With Health Science, you might need to intentionally add some courses to your schedule.

This isn’t a deal-breaker at all! It just means you need to be proactive about planning your coursework. The National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions recommends meeting with a pre-health advisor as early as possible to map out your four-year plan.

Making Health Science Work for Med School

If you’re leaning toward Health Science, here’s my advice for making it work:

1. Check your specific program’s curriculum against med school prerequisites – every Health Science program is different!

2. Take extra science courses if needed – don’t be afraid to go beyond your major requirements

3. Get serious lab experience – through coursework, research opportunities, or both

4. Leverage the unique advantages of your Health Science background in your applications

5. Maintain a stellar GPA – especially in science courses (aim for 3.7+ to be competitive)

A Johns Hopkins study found that students from diverse academic backgrounds often perform just as well in medical school as traditional science majors.

The MCAT Factor

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the MCAT.

This beast of an exam is heavily science-focused, covering:

• Biological and Biochemical Foundations
• Chemical and Physical Foundations
• Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations
• Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills

Health Science majors might need to put in extra study time for certain sections, especially if your program was light on physics, organic chemistry, or biochemistry.

But here’s the good news: the MCAT now includes psychology and sociology content, which Health Science majors often have more exposure to than Biology majors.

The Bottom Line

Health Science can be an excellent pre-med major if:

• You ensure you complete all prerequisites
• You maintain a strong GPA
• You prepare thoroughly for the MCAT
• You gain relevant clinical and research experience

The American Medical Association emphasizes that medical schools are increasingly valuing diverse academic backgrounds, as long as applicants demonstrate strong science competency.

Remember: the best major for pre-med is the one you’re most passionate about. If Health Science excites you more than Biology, that enthusiasm will shine through in your coursework, your extracurriculars, and eventually your medical school applications.

Don’t just pick a major because you think it’s what med schools want. Pick the one that will help you become the kind of doctor you want to be.