Guide to Psychology as a Pre-Med Degree

Many undergraduates planning to attend medical school choose pre-med majors outside of the biological sciences. Psychology majors and other related social sciences majors rank among the most common alternatives.

Explore this guide to learn how a psychology pre-med major can provide a solid academic foundation and enhance your chances for medical school admission.

According to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), more than 23,000 students enrolled in medical school in the 2023-24 academic year. While the majority of these students majored in biological sciences as undergraduates, pre-med majors in the social sciences, including psychology, accounted for almost 9% of the total matriculated students.

AAMC research shows that psychology majors are just as likely to be admitted to medical school as those who major in traditional pre-med majors such as biology or chemistry.

The AAMC expects medical students to master several core competencies, including the ability to apply “knowledge of the self, others, and social systems to solve problems related to the psychological, sociocultural, and biological factors that influence health and well-being.”

Choosing a pre-med in psychology, with its focus on human behavior, mental health, and scientific inquiry, can equip you with these crucial preprofessional competencies. In addition to prerequisite coursework in biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and biochemistry, most medical schools require or recommend at least one semester of psychology.

A psychology pre-med major helps you develop a holistic approach to medicine while emphasizing transferable research and critical thinking skills. Psychology deepens your understanding of the interconnectedness of mind and body, and helps foster the empathy and communication skills essential for patient care.

One of the most significant benefits of a psychology pre-med major is the preparation it provides for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). The notoriously challenging exam contains a section titled “Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior” that makes up 25% of the test.

A psychology major can provide you with an edge in mastering that content. It also helps you develop the critical thinking and data interpretation skills that are tested in the other MCAT sections. AAMC research from 2024 shows very little difference in MCAT scores between biological science majors and those in the social sciences, and almost identical acceptance rates.

Another important reason to consider a premed in psychology is its direct relevance to several medical specialties. Psychological knowledge contributes to fields such as psychiatry, neurology, family medicine, pediatrics, and surgery and oncology. Whatever your intended specialty, the field of psychology builds a strong foundation for understanding human behavior and helps you develop the empathy and communication skills essential for a holistic approach to patient care.

These psychology courses, commonly offered in a psychology pre-med major, serve as your foundation in scientific inquiry and help prepare you for the MCAT, and medical school coursework.

Medical schools generally seek candidates with strong GPAs in all prerequisites and major courses, high MCAT scores, and experience in research, volunteer work, and extracurricular activities relevant to healthcare services. Focusing on these areas can maximize your chances of getting into med school and doing well once you have been admitted.

Admission requirements vary but most schools ask for official transcripts that document overall GPA, science and math prerequisites, and psychology coursework. You must also submit MCAT scores, a resume, a personal statement that demonstrates your readiness for medical studies, and letters of recommendation. Some programs may require an interview where you can showcase how your psychology studies have strengthened your academic foundation, communication skills, and interpersonal understanding

Admissions committees value a commitment to service, especially through healthcare-related volunteer work. Clinical and research experience, along with extracurricular and volunteer activities in community and healthcare settings, can help you stand out from other candidates.

The American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) asks medical school applicants to document their work and service experiences. The Work and Activities section of the AMCAS application allows you to list up to 15 significant work, research, and volunteer experiences.