If you've ever said, "I want to work in healthcare," you're not alone.
Every year, we work with students who dream of attending medical school and becoming a healthcare professional. Some have known exactly what they wanted to do since elementary school. Others simply know they're interested in science and helping people but aren't sure where that path will lead.
The good news? You don't need to have every detail of your future figured out before you apply to college.
You don’t need to graduate high school fully prepared for medical school (or another professional program). The reality is that your job in high school is much simpler: build a strong academic foundation, begin exploring healthcare in meaningful ways, and understand how the pre-health pathway actually works.
Here are three things every future pre-med student should know before they start the college search.
(Are you pre-health instead of pre-med? If you’re interested in dentistry, pharmacy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, or becoming a physician assistant, the information in this post still applies to you!
If you’re interested in nursing or becoming a veterinarian, your pathway will be similar but will also have some differences.)
1. Pre-MED Isn't a Major
One of the most common misconceptions is that "pre-med" is an undergraduate major.
It isn't.
Instead, pre-med is a college pathway that prepares students to apply to graduate-level healthcare programs (medical school) after earning a bachelor's degree.
Pre-med students typically go on to attend medical school, but that’s not the only healthcare professional school. Depending on your career goals, that next step might be medical school, but it could also be dental school, a physician assistant program, a pharmacy school, a physical/occupational therapy program, or another professional program.
While each profession has its own admissions requirements, most expect students to complete specific prerequisite science courses during college. That's why colleges often offer a "pre-med” or “pre-health” advising program rather than a specific pre-med major.
Understanding this distinction can make the college search much less intimidating. Your goal isn’t finding the strongest pre-med major available. Instead, you're choosing a college where you can build a strong academic record, complete your prerequisite courses, and gain meaningful experiences before applying to medical or professional school.
2. You Don't Have to Major in Biology
Once students realize pre-health isn't a major, the next question is usually:
"So... should I major in biology?"
The answer is: only if you actually want to.
Biology is certainly a common choice for pre-health students because many of the required prerequisite courses are already built into the major. But it is far from the only option.
Medical schools and other healthcare programs admit students who majored in psychology, chemistry, engineering, public health, history, English, music, business, and countless other fields.
Professional schools are generally much more interested in what you've learned than what your diploma says.
That means they care about whether you've:
Completed the required prerequisite courses
Earned strong grades, particularly in science courses
Demonstrated intellectual curiosity
Developed communication and critical thinking skills
Built meaningful experiences in healthcare
Choosing a major you genuinely enjoy can actually work in your favor. Students often perform better academically when they're studying subjects that interest them, and they bring diverse perspectives into healthcare professions.
Rather than asking, "What's the best pre-med major?" a better question is:
"What would I enjoy studying while also completing my prerequisite courses?"
3. Explore Healthcare Before You Commit to It
One of the best things high school students can do isn't build the "perfect" résumé. It's making sure healthcare is actually the right fit.
Television shows, social media, and even personal experiences as a patient only show a small piece of what healthcare professionals actually do every day.
Before committing to a long educational path, take time to explore the profession from several different angles.
Job Shadowing
Shadowing gives students the opportunity to observe healthcare professionals during their daily work. Watching a physician interact with patients, seeing how a physical therapist structures appointments, or spending time with a pharmacist can provide insights that are impossible to gain in a classroom.
More importantly, shadowing helps students answer an important question:
Can I actually picture myself doing this every day?
Volunteering
Hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, food banks, and community health organizations often provide volunteer opportunities that expose students to patient care and service.
Remember, healthcare is fundamentally service-oriented work. Volunteering demonstrates a commitment to serving others while helping students better understand the human side of healthcare.
Research
Students who enjoy science and problem-solving may also want to explore research opportunities.
Research helps develop critical thinking, data analysis, and scientific reasoning skills while exposing students to another side of healthcare beyond direct patient care.
School Activities and Leadership
Organizations like HOSA, science clubs, or health-related service organizations allow students to explore their interests while developing critical thinking, communication, and teamwork skills.
Leadership in any context can be valuable. Leading a club, organizing an event, mentoring other students, or taking initiative in any setting demonstrates the judgment and responsibility required in healthcare careers.
Caregiving and real-life responsibility
Caring for a family member or job experiences like babysitting teach patience, communication, and responsibility for others. These are all valuable skills for healthcare careers.
Just remember: admissions committees aren't looking for students who checked every possible box.
They're looking for students who explored thoughtfully, reflected on what they learned, and developed a genuine understanding of why healthcare is the right path for them.
The quality of your experiences matters far more than the quantity.
Final Thoughts
Choosing a healthcare career is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming.
Fortunately, you don't need to have your entire future mapped out while you're still in high school.
Instead, focus on the fundamentals:
Build a strong academic foundation
Challenge yourself in science and math courses
Explore healthcare through shadowing, volunteering, research, or leadership opportunities
Stay curious and continue asking questions
The students who are most successful on the pre-med pathway aren't necessarily the ones who started earliest or accumulated the longest list of activities.
They're the ones who took the time to understand the profession, challenged themselves academically, and developed a genuine reason for pursuing a career in healthcare.
Want to Learn More?
This article is just the beginning.
Our free College Planning for Pre-Health Students Guide takes a much deeper dive into topics like:
Choosing a college as a pre-health student
High school course planning
Extracurricular activities and clinical experiences
BS/MD and other direct-entry programs
Building a balanced college list
Preparing for professional school admissions
Whether you're interested in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physician assistant studies, physical therapy, occupational therapy, or another healthcare profession, our guide will help you better understand the path ahead and start planning with confidence.