Does Majoring in Biology Help You Get Into Medical School?

Biology is the most common major among medical school applicants. That does not mean choosing it gives you an admissions advantage. For high school students considering medicine, choosing a college major can feel like the first major admissions decision. Should you study biology because it seems like the expected path? Would a less common major help you stand out? Does a college’s reputation for pre-med tell you enough about whether it is right for you?

Start by understanding the competition—and what the numbers can actually tell you.

What GPA and MCAT Scores Do Medical School Students Have?

The AAMC reports the following averages for 2025–26:

Academic measure	Applicants	Students who enrolled
Undergraduate GPA	3.67	3.81
MCAT score	506.3	512.1

These are averages, not minimum requirements or guarantees. A student above the averages is not assured admission, and a student below them is not automatically excluded. For families selecting an undergraduate college, our advice is to look closely at where the student can develop strong study habits, seek help early, and sustain excellent work in demanding courses. The college’s name cannot do that work for them.

Biology Is Common. That Does Not Make It a Shortcut.

The biological sciences category accounted for approximately 59% of applicants in the 2025–26 AAMC data. Notice that this is a broad category, rather than biology alone.

The figures in AAMC Table A-17 also show different enrollment-to-applicant ratios across major groups:

Undergraduate major category	Approximate enrollment-to-applicant ratio
Biological sciences	42%
Humanities	52%
Mathematics and statistics	57%

Ratios compare matriculants—students who enrolled—with applicants in each category. They are not acceptance rates or estimates of the effect of choosing a major.

Should a biology student switch to philosophy because the humanities percentage is higher? These figures do not support that conclusion. The groups differ in more than their majors. Their academic records, MCAT scores, experiences, and other characteristics may differ, too. The mathematics and statistics applicant group is also much smaller than the biological sciences group.

This is a comparison of different applicants, not an experiment in which otherwise identical students were assigned different majors. It cannot establish that medical schools favor humanities majors or penalize biology majors.

What Is the Best Major for Pre-Med Students?

The AAMC explains that students do not need a particular major to apply to medical school. Students studying outside the sciences still need to plan for each medical school’s requirements and prepare for the MCAT.

Our recommendation is to evaluate a potential major through three questions:

1. Do you want to study this subject in depth? Look beyond the introductory classes. Review the upper-level requirements. A major should hold your interest when the work becomes more difficult.

2. Can you build a strong academic record while completing medical school preparation? A humanities major still needs to make room for science preparation and prerequisites. A biology major still needs to develop communication, reasoning, and other skills beyond the major. Map the actual schedule with an advisor instead of assuming everything will fit.

3. Would this education remain valuable if your plans changed? Consider other careers, graduate programs, and interests the major could support. Exploring alternatives is sensible planning, especially before committing to four years of study.

Choose biology if the subject fits your interests and goals. Choose another field if that is where your interests lead—and build the preparation medicine requires alongside it.

Choosing a College That Supports Your Pre-Med Goals

For high school students, selecting the undergraduate environment deserves as much attention as selecting the major. We recommend asking:

• How does prehealth advising work? Find out when advising begins, who can use it, and what help is available with course planning and applications.

• Can students access the courses they need? Ask about registration, laboratory availability, tutoring, and flexibility when combining a major with additional prerequisites.

• What opportunities are realistically accessible? Investigate clinical exposure, service, and research opportunities, including transportation and competition for positions.

• What does the college’s advertised medical school acceptance rate include? Ask whether it covers all applicants or a narrower group, such as students receiving committee support, and whether MD and DO results are combined.

• Is the undergraduate cost sustainable? Compare net costs and potential borrowing while keeping further education in view.

An impressive statistic on a college website deserves follow-up questions. You need to understand how that number was calculated and what support your student would actually receive.

Build a Plan Beyond the Major

Your major is one part of your preparation. Choose a subject you want to study, understand the requirements ahead, and select a college where you can build the academic record and experiences your goals demand.

Considering pre-med as you build your college list? Essential College Coaches helps students evaluate undergraduate colleges through academic fit, opportunities, and long-term goals. Book a College Admissions Strategy Session to create a more informed plan for your next step.