What does exercise and rehabilitation sciences offer when it comes to pre-med?
When you are just beginning, the road to medical school can seem winding and confusing. Since there is no designated pre-med major, students are often unsure which bachelor’s degree to pursue. You may have already looked into Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences and considered it a viable option. The short answer is yes; Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences is a great choice for a pre-med major! But what makes it a good choice? Let’s break it down:
Understanding the Body
Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences provides students with an in-depth knowledge of the body and how it functions. This is one of the most important skills a medical student can have, not only when it comes to diagnosing the problem, but also understanding how to address and solve them.
Required Courses
While there isn’t any specific degree requirement for medical school, there are certain classes you will need to take if you want to get into medical school and be familiar with the material being taught. Instead of trying to take all these classes as electives, the Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences major has many of these classes built into their curriculum! Some examples are chemistry (general and organic), biology, anatomy and physiology, physics, and math. These courses will give you a strong foundation on what you will study in medical school.
Hands-On Experience
Most Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences programs have opportunities for students to apply their knowledge from the classroom into hands-on learning experiences. These include labs, participating in student research projects, going to professional conferences, and joining academic societies.
These opportunities also allow you to connect with professionals in the field, which will be a huge help in your medical school application process! You will need both clinical experience and letters of recommendation for your application, and these professionals can help in both of these areas. Experiences and connections are some of your biggest assets.
Dedication to Grades
While not unique to Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, having good grades is critical to getting into medical school. Although there is no minimum required number for either your GPA or Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), the higher your grades, the better your chances of acceptance!
The Last Recommendation
Ultimately, your bachelor’s degree should be in something you are passionate about! Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences helps foster a passion for learning about the functions of the body and for helping others. Good luck on your pre-med journey!
Citations
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine — Prerequisites, Requirements, and Policies
BYU–Idaho — Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences Major
AAMC — What Admission Officers Wish Premeds Knew Before Applying
Accepted — Dos and Don’ts of Medical School Recommendation Letters
International Medical Aid — Average GPA and MCAT Scores by Medical School
AAMC — Taking the MCAT Exam