Best undergraduate major to prepare for mcat

[Jac11115]

I understand that what matters most is what I like but I also know that there has to be undergraduate majors that prepare you for medicine and specifically the MCAT more than the traditional bio major.

Am I wrong? Can some of you put your two cents into this thread and bounce some ideas and thoughts?


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[waitlistguy]

To be honest, the best way to prepare for the MCAT is to take a ton of practice tests and pay attention in your pre-med classes. If taking a science major will help you focus on that, then take a science major. But if you're organized and can do those things while being, say, an English major, that'll be fine.

 

[sss1219]

Worry about the MCAT when the time comes and prepare for it with relevant, specially tailored practice materials. Pursue a major that is you are interested in and can do well in so you can keep a high GPA.

The new MCAT tests on a broad variety of subjects and many majors can help you to do well in the sections. What's more important is that you keep your GPA intact. Pursuing biology or biochemistry or whatever at your school for the simple fact that it will prepare you for a test isn't worth it, especially if you aren't interested in the major and/or if it is known for grade deflation at your school.

Also, there is no promise you'll want to stay pre-med after 3-4 years. This why it is even more important that you study something you are interested in and could see yourself possibly working in in the future.

 

[Obscure]

This major does not exist. You can do just as well on the MCAT if you're an English major as you could if you're a biochem major.

Do what you enjoy for your major. Be miserable for a few months over the summer for the MCAT.

 

[Lucca]

Statistically speaking, people who major in maths, the humanities or the physical sciences tend to score highest on the MCAT. However, this is probably a case of "correlation does not equal causation". If you do well in the pre-reqs, and actually challenge yourself during undergrad then you will be prepared to study for the MCAT and receive a good score.

It is disappointing when someone with a 4.0 tries to break 30 on the MCAT and fails. I can't imagine that wouldn't make someone question the value of their undergrad education or of their actual aptitude as a student (which it should).

 

[LizzyM]

Look at the data: Google AAMC Table 17. Among both applicants and matriculants, those whose undergraduate majors were math or statistics had the highest mean MCAT and the highest mean GPA. Interestingly, they are also a relatively small pool compared with bio majors (less than 1% of all applicants and matriculants). It may not be causative but if you want to talk about the best odds, that's it. Of course, you can get in with any major although I would not recommend nursing but that's another thread.