The 5 BEST Undergraduate Majors at UT for Medical School (and a few other options!)

Whether you aspire to perform surgery on prenatal patients or study the brain and discover a cure for Alzheimer's, a medical school education is usually the path to get there.The educational path to becoming a physician is a long one, and it begins with an undergraduate degree. Most students have heard that in order to apply to medical school, they will need to pass a standardized test called the MCAT or Medical College Admission Test. Some are surprised to learn that there is no particular undergraduate requirement for medical school entrance, but getting in requires a passing score on this test and successful completion of an undergraduate degree that contains certain course requirements.

UT Austin boasts a higher than average medical school matriculation rate, at approximately 45%. Med students have a difficult road ahead of them, but what undergraduate majors do they seek most? Which ones are the best preparation for the MCAT, and what is the best strategy for leveraging the first four college years? Let’s unpack a few of the most popular majors for aspiring doctors, and discuss a few pros and cons. 

Biology: UT College of Natural Sciences

Pros: This obvious choice is a great one for general MCAT prep, as the curricular trajectory lends itself to covering a variety of the topics that will be tested. This path is an efficient, strong choice. UT features easy access to labs and plentiful research opportunities, making it a straightforward path.

Cons: The cons of a Bio major at UT may be that if students don’t get into medical school, their career path is significantly less clear. Some classes may be quite large and have a ‘weed out’ feel, and a top GPA will be very competitive to maintain. It is also a very common major for med school applicants, so unless excellence is maintained, students won’t stand out.

Biochemistry: UT College of Natural Sciences

Pros: For strong students who seek academic rigor in a wide variety of STEM topics, look no further. There’s plenty of math and science to go around, so if you are that student, this impacted major may be just right for you. 

Cons: Scheduling is a bit less flexible, but students will receive the variety of coursework they need to excel on the MCAT. Students who want to showcase rigor will thrive here, but those who wish for a perfect GPA may wish to look elsewhere.

Neuroscience: UT College of Natural Sciences

Pros: If psychology and chemistry are your strong subjects, this may be the major for you. Also highly impacted, a major in Neuroscience will strengthen MCAT prep in brain and behavioral science topics. This is also a huge field of growth with lots of research opportunities and engaging content. 

Cons: This discipline is still science heavy, so it can be a GPA risk in terms of rigor. The coursework is demanding with many topics merged together, so it isn’t quite as straightforward a path as the traditional Biology major. 

Human Development and Family Sciences: UT College of Natural Sciences

Pros: This is an excellent choice for students who are interested in holistic health and human development. Since it is a bit less typical, it is an interesting choice for aspiring doctors because it is slightly less lab heavy which leaves time for more clinical practice and volunteering. This is a bit more GPA friendly major as well.

Cons: Research may not be built into this curriculum, so students may need to piece that together and seek out these opportunities. The more flexible curriculum may be more difficult for those who want lots of MCAT prep folded into their coursework. 

Psychology: UT College of Liberal Arts

Pros: If a student wishes to understand patient behavior and get a jump on the psych/soc section of the MCAT, consider Psychology, one of the most popular majors within UT’s COLA. The curriculum has much more flexibility than some of the other science majors, and is great for students who seek a perfect GPA.

Cons: Students must add all science prerequisites separately, and this choice provides less preparation for bio/chem-heavy MCAT sections. A Psychology major can be seen as “less rigorous” if not paired with strong science grades, so choose wisely. This is also an option for students who were offered the CAP program at UT, but it is competitive even then, and there is no guarantee that CAP students will get into this major. 

Less popular but viable choices: 

Nutrition/Public Health: UT School of Human Ecology

Pros: This can be a great, GPA-friendly choice that may provide an interesting medical school application, especially for students interested in preventative or holistic medicine.

Cons: This will require some finagling of pre-med/science options, and less overlap with MCAT content. 

Biomedical Engineering: UT Cockrell School of Engineering

Pros: If you want a plan-B career, Biomedical Engineering is a versatile choice. This academically rigorous major stands out on med school applications and will strengthen qualitative and problem solving skills.

Cons: There is quite a bit less overlap with some science and pre-med courses, and the rigor may leave less time for volunteering or clinical experience.  

Other Considerations:

To choose a degree from UT Austin as a guarantee of medical school entrance is foolish. UT is an amazing choice for self-directed and motivated students, but the environment is far from the advisement and hand-holding students would receive at a smaller university. With strong opportunity comes strong competition, so keep that in mind. Many students do not end up applying to medical school, but change their trajectory to pursue other careers. 

Keep that uncertainty in mind as you carefully consider these undergraduate major choices. Ask: What career options exist if I choose to veer from this career trajectory? What other career or educational opportunities will these degrees produce? Careful consideration, tons of self-direction, and a strong will and work ethic will be essential to your education as well.

Good luck!

Frequently Asked Questions: 

Is a specific undergraduate major required to get into medical school?

No, there is no particular undergraduate major requirement for medical school entrance. However, successful matriculation requires a passing score on the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) and the completion of an undergraduate program.

What is UT Austin's medical school matriculation rate?

UT Austin boasts a higher than average medical school matriculation rate, at approximately 45%.1

Which undergraduate majors are considered the best preparation for the MCAT at UT?

Biology is an obvious and efficient choice for general MCAT preparation, as its curriculum covers many tested topics and offers lab and research opportunities. Biochemistry and Neuroscience also provide academic rigor in STEM topics and strengthen specific areas of the MCAT.

Are there any non-traditional, GPA-friendly majors recommended for pre-med?

Yes, majors like Psychology (within the College of Liberal Arts) offer more curriculum flexibility and are conducive to maintaining a high GPA, though the student must separately add all science prerequisites. Human Development and Family Sciences is another less typical, GPA-friendly choice for those interested in holistic health.

What is the main cautionary consideration when choosing a pre-med major at UT Austin?

Students should be self-directed and consider career options that exist if they decide to veer from the medical school path, as choosing a degree as a guarantee of entrance is unwise. Also, be aware that the environment has strong competition and majors like Biology and Neuroscience can be a "GPA risk" due to rigor.

---

For help with considering undergraduate major choices at UT Austin and other highly-selective colleges and universities, book your DISCOVERY CALL today and learn about our comprehensive ser

vices!