Choosing a Major

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Last Updated: Feb 19, 2026, 03:48 PM

Follow Passions, Map Requirements

Finding Your Academic Fit

At SIU, we believe your undergraduate years should be a time of intellectual discovery. It often surprises students to learn that "Pre-Med" is not a major. Neither is Pre-Dental, Pre-Physician Assistant, or any other pre-health designation.

The most important thing to know is that professional schools do not have a "preferred" major. They value diversity of thought, unique perspectives, and excellence in whatever field you choose. Whether you are passionate about Music, Biological Sciences, History, or Physiology , you can reach your healthcare goals here.

Aligning Your Passions with Your Major

Successful applicant strategies are not limited to a single road; students can reach their goals by selecting either a science-focused curriculum built for alignment or a non-science path founded on personal passion.
Saluki Statue

Choosing Your Academic Foundation

When determining your academic fit, consider these two distinct vantage points:

  • The Passion Path

    Why non-science majors can succeed

    Non-Science Majors

    The Value of Diverse Perspectives

    Students who are genuinely invested in their major tend to earn higher grades and remain more motivated. Admissions committees often appreciate "non-traditional" applicants because they bring varied skill sets like communication, cultural empathy, and ethics to the medical field.

    • Pro: You have the unique opportunity to pursue a major you are truly passionate about, allowing you to develop a distinctive academic profile. This helps you stand out in a competitive applicant pool as a well-rounded candidate with interests that extend beyond the traditional laboratory setting.
    • Reality Check: You must be proactive in mapping science prerequisites alongside your major, as a lack of overlap may require coursework beyond the standard 120-credit hour or four-year window. Regardless of your major, professional schools track your Science GPA separately, making excellence in these mandatory core courses essential for a successful application.

  • The Efficiency Path

    Why science majors are popular

    Science Majors

    The Logic of Curriculum Alignment

    Science majors such as Biology, Physiology, and BioChemistry remain the most common choice for a simple reason; Efficiency. The seamless overlap naturally aligns your undergraduate journey with the expectations of admissions committees, making these majors a practical and popular foundation for the rigors of medical study.

    • Pro: These degrees are designed to include the required professional school prerequisites. You can often finish your degree and your prerequisites within the standard 120-credit hour window.
    • Reality Check: Because these majors are rigorous and common, you must work hard to ensure your GPA remains competitive and your extra curricular activities help you stand out.

Your Major VS. Your Requirements

The Academic Reality

While you have the freedom to choose your path, you must remain mindful of two non-negotiable factors:

  • Required Prerequisites: Regardless of your major, you must satisfy a rigorous set of science requirements, typically involving essential sequences in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics to qualify for admission.
  • Science GPA Matters: Admissions committees look closely at your science GPA (in particular; Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Math). Excellence in your chosen major is vital, but maintaining a high GPA overall and in these core science prerequisites is essential for a competitive application.
science beakers

Planning Your Timeline & Investment

Choosing a major is a significant decision that dictates both your daily schedule and your long-term financial planning. To stay realistic about your goals, you must analyze how this choice shapes your undergraduate timeline and overall costs.
student studying

Graduation Forecast

Analyzing how your major choice shapes your undergraduate timeline.

  • The Science Major Path

    Choosing a science major such as Biology, Physiology, or Biochemistry typically covers most, if not all, prerequisites required for health programs within the standard four year degree requirements.

    • Overlapping Curricula: Core requirements for these majors (General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Physics) are the exact same courses required for medical or dental school admissions.

    • Efficiency: Because these "heavy-lift" sciences are built into your primary major, you can graduate in the traditional four year window without taking extra credits.

    • Synchronized Academic Momentum: By aligning your degree requirements with professional school prerequisites, you maintain a continuous academic flow. This synchronization allows you to hit peak "exam readiness" by your junior year, enabling you to apply on a typical timeline and enter the professional workforce as early as possible.

  • The Non-Science Major Path

    Selecting a non-science program may require 1 to 2 additional years beyond your four year degree to complete health program prerequisites that fall outside your primary major.

    • Credit Overload: You must complete all the requirements for your major (e.g., History or Business) plus roughly 40–50 credits of rigorous lab sciences that likely do not count toward your bachelor degree.

    • The "Bridge" Year: Many students in this path must take a "Post-Baccalaureate" year or a fifth year of undergraduate study to finish prerequisites like BioChemistry or Microbiology.

    • Sequential Delays: Since many health prerequisites must be taken in a specific order (e.g., Gen Chem → Org Chem), you cannot simply "cram" prerequisites into one or two semesters.

The Financial Impact of Non-Science Tracks

Consider how your major choice impacts your budget and aid.

  • The Salary Delay

    Choosing a path that requires 1 to 2 extra years to apply does not just cost tuition; it represents the "lost" salary of a practicing doctor, dentist, or physician assistant.

  • Extended Expenses

    A non-science path often requires budgeting for "Post-Baccalaureate" credits taken after graduation just to qualify for professional school.

  • Aid Eligibility Limits

    Many institutional scholarships and federal aid packages are strictly capped at four years. If your major choice extends your timeline into a fifth or sixth year, those additional credits are often ineligible for traditional aid, requiring you to cover the full cost of tuition and fees out of pocket.

     

Let Us Help You Navigate the Path to Your Future.

No matter which major you choose, we will help you navigate your unique path and ensure that your academic choices align with the requirements of your chosen health profession.

Pre-Health Professions Office