It makes sense to assume that every pre-med student is destined to become a doctor, but that’s not always the case. The truth is that a pre-med major can pursue graduate,
professional, or medical school or enter the workforce in an entry-level job in their desired field.
This educational path is incredibly versatile and can open doors to careers in science, healthcare, technology, research, and more. If you’re asking, “What can you do with a pre-med degree?” and
are having trouble imagining beyond medical school, read along to explore a world of possibilities.
What do you learn in an undergraduate pre-med program?
A pre-med program is designed to cover all the science and laboratory requirements needed for continued education in medicine or healthcare. Pre-med is not a major itself but rather a program that ensures
students take all the required classes needed to apply for medical school.
Choosing a pre-med program shows medical schools you’ve acquired the knowledge needed to become a medical student and also helps prepare you to take the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT).
Required courses vary by medical school, but most pre-med tracks include:
What skills are developed in a pre-med program?
In addition to expanding knowledge and expertise in science, pre-med students also develop essential skills that will serve them well in healthcare careers. There are 15 competencies that the ideal candidate should possess before applying to med school, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC):
Service orientation
Social skills
Written communication
Living systems
Human behavior
Applying to medical school with a degree in pre-med
Gaining acceptance to medical school is highly competitive. According to the AAMC, in 2019–2020, there were 53,370 applicants to allopathic medical schools and 21,869 matriculants, making
the overall acceptance rate 41 percent. Aspiring doctors can choose between an allopathic medicine (MD) and osteopathic medicine (DO) degree. Familiarizing yourself with the differences will help you decide which path you should pursue.
Medical school admissions committees tend to favor students who are motivated, hardworking, and committed to achieving their professional objectives early in their college studies.
Typically, students applying to medical school earn a bachelor’s degree in Biology, Chemistry,
Biochemistry,
or Molecular Biology.
It is important to note, however, that medical schools do not require applicants to major in science or STEM at all. It is possible to get accepted with an unrelated bachelor’s degree.
Dr. Steven Wilt is
the director of pre-medical studies and serves as chair of the Pre-med Advisory Committee at Bellarmine University. He has worked with hundreds of aspiring doctors in his career and has an insider perspective
on what it takes to be accepted into med school. He shares that Bellarmine offers all of the resources and support available for future physicians to find success.
“It’s more than just GPA and MCAT scores,” Dr. Wilt explains. “Our advisors work hard to give personalized direction on how to become a competitive candidate. We work with students from the first semester all
the way up to the application process.”
What else can you do with a pre-med degree?
The beauty of a pre-med program is that its comprehensive coverage of scientific knowledge and lab work prepares students for a multitude of careers in healthcare. Pre-med majors can also choose to pursue
other professional schools, such as:
Dentistry (DDS or DMD)
Optometry (OD)
Pharmacy (PharmD)
Veterinary (DVM)
Each of the above areas of medicine has specific entrance requirements and preferences. Most will include the following elements:
Experiences and familiarity with the career (e.g., job shadowing, volunteer work, or employment)
Letters of evaluation and recommendation
Involvement and leadership in extracurricular activities
Evidence of a commitment to community service
Independent research
What careers can you pursue with a pre-med degree?
While many undergraduate pre-med students are preparing to apply for medical and professional schools, those aren’t the only options. Career opportunities for pre-med majors are abundant, especially for those willing
to complete additional certifications or training.
“Most employers will look at a candidate with a pre-med degree or a B.A. in the sciences very favorably,” Dr. Wilt offers. “It’s an indicator that the person has well-developed critical
thinking skills and a passion for science.”
So what can you do with a pre-med degree? Here is a sampling of other career options:
Medical device liaison
Research scientist
Chemist
Wildlife biologist
Zoologist
Radiation technologist*
Occupational therapist*
*This career will require a graduate degree.
Choose your direction with a pre-med degree
Now that you have a better understanding of what you can do with a pre-med degree, you might be ready to start looking for a program that suits your needs. If you’re passionate about science and are
looking for a challenging and rewarding career, a pre-med program can prepare you for whatever career you choose to pursue.