Is Biochemistry a good major for medical school?

[SilentAnon_404]

Hi guys. I’m new to these forums.
I’m a senior in my high school and college application season is underway. Some applications require I provide a list of majors during submission of the app.

I want to get accepted into a medical school after college. I need to know a good major for it and something that will be good outside of medical school (incase I don’t get accepted right away).

Anyways, my favorite (and best) subjects are chemistry and math. I like biology, but I’m not a natural at it as I’m chemistry. I also love research, and I took an opportunity during summer to do chemical research for ACS at a college (and liked it).

Based on my interests, is biochem a good major? Also, is medical school a good route? I want to be a high level medical specialist (surgeon) when I grow up, and I also want to create and test new drugs.

Thank you for any help.

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[BellaWriterChic]

Biochemistry is a good major (I say that as that is the one I got). I will mention, major in something you enjoy and can find a job in (like you said, in case you do not get accepted right away). It is not so much about what major you do, but how well you prepare for the MCAT and your GPA. Also, that you take the prereqs to be accepted. (A few I know did a business or fine arts major and ended up with a biology minor after completing the prereqs for applications to med school.)

 

[capriccio]

You can major in anything during college for the purposes of applying to medical school, so long you fulfill the prerequisites generally set out by AAMC. Biochemistry major tracks in most colleges do happen to incorporate the majority of med school prereqs, which can be convenient. My advice is that you major in something you'll enjoy studying, which is something you have to decide for yourself. It sounds like you already like chemistry and biology though, so yes biochemistry would most likely be a good fit for you.

Your post shows you have a variety of future interests from doing chemical research, wanting to be a surgeon, or working in the pharmaceutical industr. As careers, those are really quite spread out and could involve you applying to grad school, med school, or pharmacy school—all very different application processes! Take time during college to explore what you enjoy—same thing with your major. Volunteer in a hospital, get research experiences, shadow a surgeon, figure out what you like and don't like. You may find that medical school doesn't fit your career or even personal interests!

 

[Radman15]

I agree with the above post. Don't pick a major based on getting into medical school; major in something you are passionate about (whether it be biochem, literature, music, etc) and something that you will be happy working in if you decide against going to medical school. What major you are really doesn't impact your chances at admission; that depends on how you do in pre-reqs, etc.

 

[Blanky]

Pick the major you like, and take the prereqs as electives. If that major is a science like bio, biochem etc then great...

 

[SilentAnon_404]

Thanks guys.
You guys are right: I do not have my interests very much focused right now. I will see what happens as I go through college.
Also, I have not taken Anatomy, Physiology, or Physics in high school but plan to take them in college for some of the prequisite requirements. I want to know- are those classes hard?

 

[Blanky]

Physics is not hard if you have decent algebra skills. I felt like it was an easy A but I also hated it.
Anatomy and Physiology you do not have to take but it is fun and useful.
Chemistry better be your best friend as there are five of them and 4 labs at least. (Chem1/2, Orgo 1,2 Biochem)
... I would suggest picking a major you enjoy and working on the basic degree requirements and take one chemistry per semester.

 

[SilentAnon_404]

Physics is not hard if you have decent algebra skills. I felt like it was an easy A but I also hated it.
Anatomy and Physiology you do not have to take but it is fun and useful.
Chemistry better be your best friend as there are five of them and 4 labs at least. (Chem1/2, Orgo 1,2 Biochem)
... I would suggest picking a major you enjoy and working on the basic degree requirements and take one chemistry per semester.

That sounds encouraging.
I would say I am decent in algrebra (is math in physics similar to chem? If so, then yea I would say I’m not bad).
Yes, I absolutely loved chemistry, and basically all chapters of it in the book (except integrated rate laws, which were kind of annoying).
It seems like I would take anatomy and physiology to further explore my interests.

 

[Blanky]

That sounds encouraging.
I would say I am decent in algrebra (is math in physics similar to chem? If so, then yea I would say I’m not bad).
Yes, I absolutely loved chemistry, and basically all chapters of it in the book (except integrated rate laws, which were kind of annoying).
It seems like I would take anatomy and physiology to further explore my interests.

I would say Physics is a solid step harder in pure algebra but at the end of the day its just algebra. If you love chemistry (like me) then your premed will be easier than most peoples as there are the 9 major prereqs and 5 of them are chemistry.
Chem 1/2, Bio 1/2, Physics 1/2, Orgo chem 1/2, and Biochem. You can add genetics which is interesting and looks good but not needed.
I would advise to sprinkle in a couple psych courses for the MCAT (and because psych is awesome) and maybe a stats class for the MCAT.

 

[SilentAnon_404]

I would say Physics is a solid step harder in pure algebra but at the end of the day its just algebra. If you love chemistry (like me) then your premed will be easier than most peoples as there are the 9 major prereqs and 5 of them are chemistry.
Chem 1/2, Bio 1/2, Physics 1/2, Orgo chem 1/2, and Biochem. You can add genetics which is interesting and looks good but not needed.
I would advise to sprinkle in a couple psych courses for the MCAT (and because psych is awesome) and maybe a stats class for the MCAT.

Great! Thanks for all your help.

 

[DoctorSwagger]

Biochem is a great major for premeds because it really helps out for the mcat


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[Jack Package]

Yes. A solid foundation in biochem is crucial for several disciplines seen in pre-clinical years, and would help with MCAT