Choosing a Major

UNH students are required to choose a major by the end of their sophomore year. There is no "premedical" or "predental" major at UNH, nor any "right" or "best" major for premeds or predents. Students may choose to major not only in the sciences, such as biology, microbiology, zoology, biochemistry, physics, mathematics, and chemistry, but also in the non-science fields like psychology, history, classics, arts, and political science. It is most important to choose a major based upon interest and aptitude. Students have been admitted to medical school from majors in all five colleges at UNH.

Below is the statement the Association of American Medical Colleges publishes in regards to majors:

Medical schools recognize the importance of a strong foundation in the natural sciences--biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics--and most schools have established minimum course requirements for admission.  These courses usually represent about one-third of the credit hours needed for graduation.  This approach deliberately leaves room for applicants from a broad spectrum of college majors, including those in the humanities and social sciences.  No medical school requires a specific major of its applicants or enrollees.  Admission committee members know that medical students can develop the essential skills of acquiring, synthesizing, applying, and communicating information through a wide variety of academic disciplines.

Nevertheless, many premedical students choose to major in science.  Ideally, they do so because they are fascinated by science and perceive that such a major can be the foundation for a variety of career options.  Choosing science based primarily on enhancing one's chances for admission to medical school is not in a student's long term best interest.  Medical school admission committees seek students whose intellectual curiosity leads them to a variety of disciplines and whose intellectual maturity assures that their efforts are persistent and disciplined.   (from Medical College Admission Requirements, 2006-2007,  p. 11)