Is Kinesiology A Good Pre Med Major

Last Updated on January 29, 2023 by Omoyeni Adeniyi

The scientific study of human bodily movement is known as kinesiology. Motion tracking devices, electrophysiology of muscle and brain activity, numerous methods for monitoring physiological function, and other behavioral and cognitive research approaches are all used in studies of human and animal motion.

A Kinesiology degree might prepare you for relative work prospects if you have an interest in sports medicine, health and nutrition, or exercise. Professionals in the field of kinesiology can assist others with strength and conditioning, mobility, and rehabilitation. Read more if you would like to find out if – Is Kinesiology A Good Pre Med Major, is kinesiology a good major for physical therapy, is kinesiology hard, and is kinesiology a medical degree.

is kinesiology a medical degree

A kinesiology degree can serve as a pre-med qualification for certain careers in medicine, such as sports medicine, sports psychology, and pharmacology. Sports Physicians: A sports physician treats athletes recovering from serious injuries. They must earn a doctor of medicine degree to practice. what are the prerequisites for medical school, Read more to find out.

Kinesiology | Bachelor degree in Ontario | Redeemer University

Is Kinesiology A Good Pre Med Major

This is a great major for the aspiring sports medicine doctor. The major allows for basically all the prerequisite courses to be taken as part of the program. In addition, the program requires you to take courses in human anatomy, cell biology, and nutrition. All of these will be very helpful in medical school courses. is kinesiology hard?, read more to find out.

Even though kinesiology is not a common major to apply to medical school, as long as your program offers the prerequisite courses for medical school, it will be a good major. Keep in mind that these courses can vary across medical schools. Therefore, you will need to know your prospective school’s requirements even before you choose a major. If you make sure that you can take the courses you need for medical school through your kinesiology program, you will be able to complete it with this goal in mind.

Most medical schools work with a college advisor to make sure they are taking the right classes to pursue a specific career path. For medical school, the most common prerequisite courses are chemistry, biology, and physics. As a result, your kinesiology program will have to be science-focused. Besides the courses you take, you will also need to be aware of your grades and your GPA. These will be key for your medical school application.

is kinesiology a good major for physical therapy

The next most common undergraduate major among aspiring DPTs is kinesiology – 21% of physical therapy program applicants hold a kinesiology degree. Being that kinesiology is the broader field encompassing exercise science, it makes sense why this too is a common major amongst DPT applicants. Scroll down to see the best pre med majors.

Requirements for Major

Kinesiology & Health Sciences prepares students for a wide variety of academic and professional pursuits in fields that specialize in human body movement and its effect on human health. Students can elect to earn a B.A.  or B.S. in Kinesiology & Health Sciences  or choose one of three concentrations as a Kinesiology & Health Sciences major: a B.S. in Kinesiology & Health Sciences with a concentration in Health Sciences ; a B. S. in Kinesiology & Health Sciences with a concentration in Premed; or a B.S. in Kinesiology & Health Sciences with a concentration in Public Health.

Required Credit Hours: 30

Major Computing Requirement

  • KINE 308 – Biomechanics of Human Movement (3) or
  • KINE 394 – Statistics and Evaluation (3) or
  • Any introductory statistics course

Major Writing Requirement

The major writing requirement in Kinesiology & Health Sciences may be satisfied by obtaining a C- or better in one of the following courses:

  • KINE 393 – Health Ethics (3)
  • KINE 455 – Physiology of Obesity (3)
  • † KINE 470 – Independent Study in Kinesiology & Health Sciences (1-3)
  • † KINE 471 – Independent Study in Kinesiology & Health Sciences (1-3)
  • † KINE 480 – Kinesiology & Health Sciences Research (1-3)
  • † KINE 481 – Kinesiology & Health Sciences Research (1-3)
  • KINE 493 – Philosophy in Kinesiology & Health Sciences (3)
  • † KINE 495 – Honors (3)
  • † KINE 496 – Honors (3)
  • † KINE 498 – Internship (3)

Core Requirements Outside the Major

Candidates for the B.S. degree in Kinesiology & Health Sciences must complete five additional science courses from computer science, mathematics, biology, chemistry, geology, or physics. This is in addition to satisfying the GER 1 and GER 2. KINE 303 and KINE 304 count toward these five courses.

best pre med majors

The top five popular science majors for pre-med are:

  1. Biology ( general and other)
  2. Biochemistry
  3. Neurobiology
  4. Physical sciences
  5. Molecular biology

Science degrees undoubtedly made up the majority of the most popular degrees to study before medical school. Other popular science degrees included physiology and human biology, organic chemistry, microbiology, general sciences, computer and information sciences, ecology, zoology, botany, and mathematics.

is kinesiology hard

 Earning a kinesiology degree does not involve as much of the hard sciences as other health science degrees, but it does require an interest in human anatomy and biology. Successful kinesiology majors usually have a good grasp on social science and work well with people.

What Can You Do With a Kinesiology Degree? | TheBestSchools.org

In general, it will be helpful to choose a degree program that will incorporate plenty of the prerequisite courses into the curriculum. This will allow you to have more freedom when choosing electives that will be beneficial in your career as a doctor. However, the most important aspect of your medical school application will be your GPA and your grades in the required prerequisites. Make sure you maintain a great GPA – 3.5 or better – and your chances of getting accepted will definitely be better. 

what is the best pre-med major

If you’re planning to attend medical school, you’ve probably asked: “Which major should I choose?” Other questions you may have asked could be:

  • “Is pre-med a major?”
  • “Is there a specific major required for medical school?”
  • “What pre-med major is the best”?” 

Pre-med is so widely talked about that it can give the false impression that it’s a degree by itself, but it’s not.

Applying to med school with any major can be a pro. You can explore and enjoy other fields while taking medical school course requirements. Still, it can also be a disadvantage since you must determine which pre-med degree is best for you. We’ll discuss pre-med majors, different options, and how to choose which is best for you.  

What Exactly Is a Pre-Med Major?

First of all, it is helpful to know how to get into medical school and what a pre-med major is. 

If you want to be a doctor in the United States, you’ll have to go to college and obtain a bachelor’s degree before attending medical school. Being a pre-med means following a college track to meet all the prerequisites for medical school, regardless of your chosen major. 

So, you’ll be happy to know that you don’t have to get a degree in biology or any natural or health science; you can major in humanities if that’s your genuine interest. Your major isn’t that significant as long as you meet med school prerequisites. However, according to the AAMC, some pre-med majors enjoy a higher acceptance rate than others.

Best Pre-Med Majors

The required coursework can appear science-loaded and a bit overwhelming. But don’t fall into the trap of believing that the best major for you is one that helps you satisfy all requirements. There are plenty of options besides science, such as: 

  • Humanities
  • Arts
  • Math and statistics
  • Physical sciences
  • Social sciences

There are several good majors for pre-med students. So, let’s evaluate different fields and what they have to offer. 

Biological Sciences

Infographic outlining what percentage of biological science majors were accepted into medical school

Due to the strong similarities between this area of study and the medical field, it’s no surprise that most medical school applicants major in biological sciences. This major encompasses biology, biochemistry, and neuroscience, among the most popular disciplines. 

Biological sciences majors learn about animals, the human body, the environment, and cells. Undergraduates majoring in these fields learn about the evolving areas of medicine and gain a strong foundation in science. Biological science majors represent 58% of all applicants but have a slightly below average acceptance rate — nearly 42%. 

Math and Statistics

Infographic outlining what percentage of Math and Statistics majors were accepted into med school

Math and statistics majors develop excellent analytical and quantitative skills critical for success as a medical student. Believe it or not, according to data from the AAMC, only 0.6% of applicants are math and statistics majors. 

With an acceptance rate of around 46%, four percentage points above the average rate, math and stats majors are excellent options.

Humanities

Infographic outlining what percentage of Humanities majors were accepted into med school

Humanities majors are another excellent option. Because only 3.3% of applicants have an academic background in this field, humanities majors enjoy an acceptance rate of 48%, six percentage points above average. 

Students majoring in music, writing, world languages, or philosophy are often excellent communicators and critical thinkers. They are likely to develop a strong bond with the human element of medicine. 

Physical Sciences

Infographic outlining what percentage of Physical Science were accepted into med school

Chemistry, genetics, and physics are the most common majors in the physical sciences area of study. These pre-med majors don’t have a clear advantage over others. However,  they are science-heavy and can prepare you for medical school’s rigorous curriculum. 

Applicants majoring in the physical sciences make up 8.83% of all candidates and enjoy a higher-than-average acceptance rate of 47.8%. So, if you’re interested in the physical sciences, this may be the easiest pre-med major for you. 

Others

Other areas of study include specialized health sciences and social sciences. Social science majors — in subjects like psychology, history, and sociology — have a 42% acceptance rate. Those who major in the health sciences have a 39% acceptance rate. 

Infographic outlining what percentage of Social Sciences were accepted into med school
Infographic outlining what percentage of Specialized Health Sciences were accepted into med school

Despite its perception as one of the ​​best pre-med degrees, specialized health sciences have one of the lowest acceptance rates. 

Dr. McGregor, a former Harvard Medical School admissions committee member, says that “over the last 15 years or so, there has been more emphasis on balance, meaning that premedical students now need to focus on these foundational biological courses and the humanities.” 

Now that the MCAT assesses your understanding of physical or biological sciences, critical thinking skills, and psychosocial foundations, having a broad, interdisciplinary academic background is more helpful than ever. 

How to Choose the Best Pre-Med Major?

Medical schools don’t exclude any major, which can be advantageous. But selecting what pre-med degree is best for you can be difficult. To choose the best pre-med major, you must ask yourself personal questions and not think exclusively about the coursework you must complete. 

Many prospective doctors have a strong interest in the sciences, but you might not be passionate about biology and chemistry. Instead, you might be drawn to philosophy, gender studies, or psychology; and that’s totally fine! They are all good majors for pre-med students. 

Being a physician involves much more than merely knowing about the human body. A remarkable doctor must also possess: 

  • Strong ethics
  • A sense of responsibility
  • Humanity
  • Empathy
  • Compassion
  • Good interpersonal communication skills 

So, maybe studying the humanities might not be a bad idea after all. Remember that most medical school applicants are science majors, which inevitably makes a humanities major stand out.

You should also consider your strengths. This might involve more self-reflection, but being aware of your strengths can impact your decisions and confidence. Taking a look at your high school career can help you with that. Ask yourself the following questions: 

  • What subject did you earn the highest grade for? 
  • What was your favorite subject? 
  • Were those two the same?
  • What subject was the least difficult to study for an exam? 

If your best class was math, for example, you might consider a major in this field since there’s a high chance your GPA will be in good standing throughout college. On the other hand, let’s say your best subject is biology. However, you’re really interested in literature, and you would like to expand your knowledge in that field. 

This is a somewhat complicated situation, but remember that medical school is your ultimate goal. You should think about the best pre-med major to get you there;  you might want to consider choosing biology. 

That way, you’ll ensure no unexpected obstacles stand in your way. You can always take literature courses to indulge your interests! To recap: the best pre-med majors are ones that: 

  • You’re passionate about
  • You’re interested in
  • You’re confident you’ll excel and maintain a strong GPA

The Most Popular Pre-Med Majors (Admissions Stats) 

These statistics suggest that there’s no clear advantage to any major over the others. But which is the most popular pre-med major? Take a look at the following grid:

Table outlining the number of med school applicants and matriculants for each pre-med major
Source: AAMC.org

Students with an undergraduate major in the biological sciences make up over half of all medical school applicants and enjoy an acceptance rate of 41.5%. But only 342 math and statistics majors applied out of over 53,000 students, an astonishingly low 0.6%. 

Medical School Acceptance Rates by Major

So, what is the best pre-med major? One way to answer this question is to look at medical school acceptance rates by major and determine if certain pre-med majors have a higher chance of getting accepted. Knowing medical school acceptance rates can also help you gauge your competitiveness for admission. 

Medical school acceptance rates by major are as follows:

  • Biological Sciences – 41.5% 
  • Humanities – 47.9%
  • Math and Statistics – 45.6%
  • Other – 39.8%
  • Physical Sciences – 47.9%
  • Social Sciences – 41.4%
  • Specialized Health Sciences – 38.9%

According to these figures, three study areas receive higher admissions rates than other pre-med majors. These are the only three groups who are admitted to medical school at a rate greater than 45%. 

  • Math and Statistics
  • Humanities
  • Physical Science 

Does this mean these three are good majors for pre-med students or even the best pre-med degrees? While humanities and math majors may enjoy higher acceptance rates than biological sciences majors, the number of applicants in these fields is much lower than in all others. 

This might explain why more students are accepted out of the total number of applicants with a humanities or math major. Of course, admissions committees consider several factors in the decision process.

MCAT Scores by Undergrad Major 

Your MCAT scores can make or break your medical school application. They serve as an indicator of your readiness for the rigor of medical school. The table below outlines the average MCAT score of medical school applicants and matriculants by undergraduate major:

Table showing the average MCAT score of med school applicants and matriculants by undergraduate major
Source: AAMC 

Interestingly, students who pursue math and statistics, humanities, and physical sciences as pre-med majors tend to achieve higher scores on the MCAT than those who take other majors. While there are exceptions, these three majors are definitely good majors for pre-med students. 

GPA by Undergrad Major 

Your GPA is integral to your success; the chances of being admitted to the top medical schools decrease with a lower GPA. Your GPA is split into two categories: your non-science GPA and BCPM GPA. 

BCPM GPA 

Your BCPM GPA is your GPA for your biology, chemistry, physics, and math (BCPM) classes. Whether you’re a business or biology major, your performance in your BCPM classes is important. 

Christina Grabowski, the Associate Dean for Admissions and Enrollment at the Heersink School of Medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, says, “We are going to look at how you did in science coursework specifically.”

In your AMCAS application, all courses that you classify as “Biology,” “Chemistry,” “Physics,” and “Math” will count toward your BCPM GPA. Some examples of courses that fall under these headings include:

Biology 

  • Cell Biology
  • Neurobiology
  • Neuroscience
  • Immunology
  • Biophysics

Chemistry 

  • Biochemistry

Physics

Mathematics 

  • Statistics

Brown University notes that “Application services will often include neuroscience courses under biology, but they do not include courses in psychology, cognitive science, geology, or computer science (engineering is usually a separate classification).” 

Ensure you know which classes contribute to your BCPM GPA. If you’re struggling to find which classes fall under which category, the AAMC provides an AMCAS course classification guide

Let’s look at the average non-science and BCPM GPA of medical school matriculants:

Table showing the average non-science and BCPM GPA of medical school matriculants for each pre-med major
Source: AAMC 

Medical schools often set a BCPM GPA requirement, so ensure you do your research. For example, the Heersink School of Medicine requires out-of-state applicants to achieve a BCPM GPA of 3.3 and in-state applicants to achieve a 3.0 BCPM GPA. 

Prerequisites for Medical School Admissions

There are no easy pre-med majors, as you will have to complete rigorous classes. 

In general, candidates for medical school need to complete the following coursework to apply:

  • Organic chemistry: two semesters with lab
  • Inorganic chemistry: two semesters with lab
  • Biology: two semesters with lab
  • Physics: two semesters with lab
  • English: two semesters
  • Math: two semesters
  • Biochemistry: one semester 

While these are the most common prerequisites, your required coursework might vary slightly from school to school. It’s essential to check the requirements for every medical school you’re applying to early on in college. That way, you’ll be on the right track to completing all courses from the start. 

Apart from required coursework, students aiming to apply to medical school need a strong GPA and good MCAT scoresData suggests that the higher both scores are, the more likely you will be to get accepted. However, it’s possible to make it to medical school with one stronger score than the other.

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