Which Subjects To Choose To Become A Doctor

Becoming a doctor requires subject-matter expertise in a variety of subjects. If you’re looking for a guide on how to choose the subjects you need to become a doctor, you’ve come to the right place.spend years studying different subjects and building a solid and reliable knowledge base. This kind of studying begins even before medical school starts. Knowing which subjects you need to take in the years before joining medical school will help you plan your education accordingly. If you’re looking for a guide on how to choose the subjects you need to become a doctor, you’ve come to the right place.

Subjects To Choose In High School To Be A Doctor

While medical schools often focus more on your undergraduate performance and MCAT scores, choosing the proper subjects in high school can provide a solid foundation for your medical career. If you’re committed to pursuing medicine, consider the following subjects to prepare yourself for pre-med coursework:

Core Sciences

1. Biology – Forms the foundation for advanced topics in medical school, such as biochemistry, genetics, and pathology.
2. Chemistry – Essential for pharmacology, biochemistry, and understanding bodily functions at the molecular level.
3. Physics – Useful for understanding medical technologies, such as imaging and radiation therapy.

Mathematics

1. Algebra and Calculus – Critical for data analysis, medical research, and understanding the quantitative aspects of medicine.
2. Statistics – Important for research, understanding medical studies, and making evidence-based decisions.

Additional Helpful Subjects

1. Psychology – Valuable for patient interaction, understanding mental health, and pursuing specialties like psychiatry.
2. English – Crucial for patient communication, writing research papers, and navigating medical literature.
3. Health Sciences – Prepares you for more complex health-related topics and practical applications in medicine. 

Subjects To Choose In Pre-Med

Medical school admissions committees place a lot of importance on your academic performance in pre-med. Considering that pre-med courses are a stepping stone to med school, it’s essential you choose relevant subjects and score well in them. Medical school admissions committees usually prefer candidates with a strong background in biology, chemistry, physics, sociology, psychology, and calculus. Choose your majors and minors accordingly.

Before entering medical school, you need to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and score well. Admission into a college depends on how well you score in this test, among other criteria. So it’s recommended you take classes in subjects that will help you prepare for the test. Subjects covered in the test are:

• Psychology
• Sociology
• Microbiology
• Epidemiology
• Pharmacology
• Genetics
• Human anatomy
• Psychophysiology

Most medical schools require two letters of recommendation from your undergraduate professors, with at least one from a science subject.

Subjects To Opt for In Medical School

Medical school is a combination of classroom lectures, lab work, and clinical experience. The first two years will focus on gaining theoretical knowledge through classroom learning in subjects including anatomy, psychology, biochemistry, pharmacology, medical ethics, genetics, immunology, cell biology, human development, foundation of cells and molecules, epidemiology, critical care, health laws, and communication and soft skills.

The final two years of medical school focus on gaining practical experience in hospitals or clinics, in different departments, including internal medicine, obstetrics, and gynaecology, pediatrics, general surgery, psychiatry, neurology, and more.

To earn the license to practice medicine, you will have to take the first two stages of the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE). Taking courses in these subjects will help you prepare for the exam:

• Principles of medicine
• Clinical skills and patient care
• Bodily systems like the respiratory system
• Genetic disorders and birth defects
• Biostatistics and population health

Subjects You Can Skip

Some subjects may be irrelevant to your application to medical school, or they may be subjects that admissions committees don’t place so much importance on when considering your application. It would save you time and effort if you avoid taking those subjects and replace them with more useful ones listed above. Subjects that are not considered as “academically rigorous” by admission committees, like citizenship and global perspectives, can be skipped as they won’t give you many brownie points on your application.

A good way to choose your subjects is to choose a specific medical field or job you think you’re interested in and work your way backwards by choosing subjects at every level of your education that are related to that job. For example, if neurosurgery is what you’re interested in, related courses in medical school would be a neurology or general surgery; in pre-med, related subjects would be biology, chemistry, or neuroscience; in high school, related subjects would be biology and chemistry.

Conclusion

Becoming a doctor is a journey that requires careful planning and dedication from high school onwards. You can ease your transition into pre-med and medical school by strategically selecting subjects that build a strong foundation in the sciences and complement your future studies. Understanding the importance of each educational phase and choosing subjects that align with your career aspirations will set you on the path to success in the medical field.

Frequently Asked Questions

What high school subjects are most important for a future doctor?

The most important high school subjects for aspiring doctors are biology, chemistry, and mathematics. These subjects provide a strong foundation for pre-med courses. Additionally, physics, psychology, and English are beneficial.

Do medical schools care about my high school subjects?

While medical schools primarily focus on your undergraduate performance and MCAT scores, having a strong background in relevant high school subjects can make your undergraduate studies easier and more successful.

What should I major in during my pre-med years?

During your pre-med years, you should major in subjects like biology, chemistry, or physics. It’s also advantageous to take courses in psychology, sociology, and calculus, as these are relevant to the MCAT and medical school coursework.

How can I prepare for the MCAT?

To prepare for the MCAT, take psychology, sociology, microbiology, epidemiology, pharmacology, genetics, human anatomy, and psychophysiology courses. The test covers these subjects and will help you achieve a competitive score.

Which subjects can I skip when planning my pre-med and medical school curriculum?

Subjects not considered academically rigorous or relevant to medical schools, such as citizenship and global perspectives, can generally be skipped. Instead, focus on core science courses and subjects directly related to medical practice.