The search for an undergraduate pre-health program can feel overwhelming. When you want to be a doctor, dentist, nurse, or pursue another medical career, there are so many majors, programs, and career options that it’s easy to wonder if you’re picking the “right” one. The decisions you make now could affect the next decade of your life, and that can make the process stressful.
But succeeding in health care isn’t just about mastering STEM courses or getting into the right school. It requires discipline, empathy, resilience, and a sense of purpose—qualities that grow in a values-centered pre-med school like Southern Virginia University. There’s no right or wrong way to prepare for med school, but we’ve assembled a few key tips to help you in your decision.
All of your pre-health questions, answered. Read pre-medicine and pre-dental degree FAQs.
If you’re leaning toward a future in health care, you’re not alone. More and more students are choosing medical professions in response to the pandemic and in order to find meaning in their work. Whether you’re pursuing medical research, preventing disease with routine care, or helping someone heal, careers in medicine allow you to make a real difference every single day.
Pair that with the fact that health care occupations are incredibly in-demand (and pay 68% more than the average for all careers), and it’s a tantalizing opportunity for your future.
Of course, health care can also be extraordinarily demanding. Medical professionals work long hours and spend years in education and training before they ever step into full-time practice. But for many students, that reality feels like a challenge rather than an obstacle. Reaching the finish line and making a difference is the reward that makes the hard days worth it.
If you’re drawn to science, curious about how the human body works, or simply feel a pull toward serving others, choosing a pre-medicine bachelor’s degree can lead to a fulfilling and stable career path. And at a place like SVU, where service and personal formation are part of daily life, you’ll find an environment that strengthens the qualities that every health care professional needs.
One of the most common misconceptions about pre-med degrees is that you must major in something specific to get into medical or dental school. In reality, professional programs accept students from a wide variety of backgrounds. What matters most is completing the required science coursework, maintaining a strong GPA, and gaining meaningful experience.
A structured pre-health track gives you a clear plan for meeting prerequisites, planning out challenging science courses, and preparing for the MCAT or DAT at the right time. With personalized advising, application guidance, access to research and clinical experiences, and support for recommendation letters, you’re not left to piece things together on your own.
Most pre-medicine and pre-dental students choose a science-based major because it naturally includes the prerequisite courses they’ll need. Popular choices include:
Biology
Chemistry
Biochemistry
Neuroscience
Human physiology
Biomedical sciences
These majors help you complete foundational classes in general biology, general and organic chemistry, physics, and often biochemistry and anatomy.
If you prefer psychology, exercise science, public health, math, or even the humanities, you can pursue those fields as long as you intentionally complete the required science labs and courses along the way. Medical and dental schools care far more about whether you are academically prepared, motivated, and ready to serve patients than about whether your pre-medicine degree says “biology” or “chemistry.” Choose a field you genuinely enjoy and one that supports both your strengths and your long-term goals.
When you’re vetting undergraduate schools and programs for a pre-health degree, there are a few signs of a good pre-medicine program that will set you up for a successful career. Focus on these four features in your college search:
Academic rigor: Make sure the school offers strong, lab-based courses in biology, chemistry, physics and biochemistry, and that those classes are taught at a level that prepares you for the MCAT/DAT.
Mentorship and advising: You want faculty and advisors who know the application process, can help you sequence courses, recommend test prep timing, and support your clinical and research goals.
Real-world experience: Opportunities for research, clinical shadowing, volunteering, and community health partnerships are essential. They show schools you’ve tested your interest in patient care and clinical work.
A supportive, values-centered environment: Choose a place that builds resilience, integrity, and compassionate leadership—not one that only rewards cutthroat competition. Small class sizes and a collaborative culture matter, especially in tough science courses.
What is pre-med school?
Pre-med school is a student’s undergraduate preparation for medical school. It involves completing required science courses and gaining clinical or volunteer experience, regardless of the major you pursue.
What degree do you need to become a doctor?
You don’t need a specific “pre-medicine degree” to get into med school. Most students major in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, or another science field, then complete a pre-medicine track that ensures they meet all the prerequisites for medical school. The key is choosing a major that challenges you academically and sets a solid foundation for the MCAT.
How long does it take to become a doctor?
Most students spend four years earning their pre med undergraduate degree, four years in medical school, and then three to seven years in residency depending on their specialty.
How do I become a dentist?
You’ll complete a pre-medicine or pre-dental bachelor’s degree (with core science courses), take the Dental Admission Test (DAT), apply to dental schools, and complete your doctoral training. Clinical experience, shadowing, and service-oriented work also help strengthen your applications.
How many years does it take to become a dentist?
Becoming a dentist typically takes four years of an undergraduate pre-dental degree (any STEM-related major that fulfills prerequisites), followed by four years of dental school. Specialties like orthodontics or oral surgery require additional training.
Is a health professional degree different from a pre-med or pre-dental degree?
Yes. A health professional degree (like an MD, DO, DMD, or DDS) is the graduate-level credential awarded after medical or dental school. Your pre-health or pre medicine bachelor degree is the foundation that prepares you for that next step.
If you feel drawn toward medicine or dentistry, Southern Virginia University gives you a place to start building the right skills, long before you apply.
In the Pre-Health Professional Track, you’ll get a solid grounding in the sciences, but you also get something just as important: faculty who know how to prepare you for med school and who care about your long-term goals.
What often matters most in a pre-health journey is the environment around you. At SVU, you study in a community that encourages discipline, compassion, and purpose (all qualities that health professional programs value). You’ll find plenty of ways to grow outside the classroom, too, through leadership roles, service opportunities, athletics, and the arts.
Preparing for a medical career is about more than checking requirements off a list. It’s about becoming the kind of person who can care for others with skill and integrity. SVU’s mission supports that path, helping you build both the knowledge and the character you’ll carry into your future as a health professional.
Wondering what major is right for you? Take our quiz to find your academic (and career) calling.