History and Pre-med: An Unexpected Pairing

The data show that history is an excellent major for pursuing med school.

You may be thinking to yourself, “how in the world is that possible?” and that reaction is understandable. Let’s dig into it! 

What is History?

Few academic pathways are as poorly understood by the general public as history. Ask around about even the most basic explanation of what history is all about, and even the well-educated will tell you something like “history is the story of our past.”

That’s one way to use the word, but it’s rather like saying you enjoy philosophy and then quoting Forest Gump, or saying you like chemistry because shooting mentos into Pepsi is a wild ride. Saying so glances the subject, but misses the substance. 

Yes, historians primarily occupy themselves with topics that exist in human memory: be that sociocultural, individual, or institutional. But that is not the same. After all, we refer to the past which extends beyond memory as pre-historic. 

So what do historians actually do, and why might those skillsets be unusually helpful for a doctor-in-training? 

Historians are in the business of interpreting the memories of our past through the lens of its own time, seeking to illuminate its dynamics to enrich our present-day understanding. It is a careful, rational excavation of ideas and evidence from the contexts in which they emerged.

The Embeddedness of Medicine in Human Life

Medicine is a profession. Like with law or engineering, it is a field that, by necessity, makes full contact with reality. At a certain point, doctors aren’t better doctors because they know the most. The best doctors are the most insightful ones, the ones who have synthesized their knowledge and capacity for reason into a problem solving framework on behalf of the patient. 

Patients aren’t just problems (although they can sometimes feel like it when you’re on your 20th appointment of the day and the patient forgot to fast that morning…) 

They’re individuals, with histories and environments that create highly intricate and dynamic contexts which must be understood in order to properly treat the patient. 

Biology students may only have their first go at this kind of reasoning once they get into their MD programs. By contrast, history majors will have 4 years of highly relevant academic training to lean on. This difference isn’t just about patient histories and diagnostic medicine either: bedside manner counts for a lot, and history majors will have had much more time participating in seminar discussions and essay writing that has honed their interpersonal and persuasive communication skills far beyond what a biology major requires. Those skills make a big difference in patient outcomes and satisfaction, and hospitals take note when they see a candidate who is well-positioned to demonstrate those proficiencies. 

What about Prereqs?

A history major can absolutely manage pre-med requirements with thoughtful planning and a disciplined schedule. Medical schools are only concerned with whether you've completed the required science courses and explored rich extracurricular experiences. Majoring in a humanities field like history can actually help you distinguish yourself in the applicant pool—especially if you can show strong performance in science courses alongside a broader, compelling academic narrative.

The key is to treat the pre-med curriculum like a second, unofficial major. Most schools require one year each of general biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics, along with biochemistry, statistics, and some exposure to psychology or sociology. That amounts to roughly 10–12 courses. If a student starts these early—ideally by taking general chemistry and biology in their first year—they can complete the full sequence by graduation without overloading their course planning in any single term.

If that sounds pretty intense, it’s not the only route for success: summer sessions can be a reasonable additional strategic tool. Taking one or two lab-intensive courses over the summer can relieve pressure during the academic year and allow better focus on major coursework. 

Zooming out, there’s a natural synergy between history and medicine. Courses in the history of science, public health, race and medicine, or medical ethics don’t just fulfill major requirements—they build the kind of critical, interdisciplinary thinking that the MCAT and med schools value highly. History majors tend to write well, read closely, and think contextually: skills crucial to both patient care and the bioethics on which medical practice relies. 

Medical schools want applicants who can handle science while also communicating clearly, understanding human narratives, and approaching problems ethically. A history major who demonstrates scientific competence and meaningful clinical engagement will be seen as mature, well-rounded, and serious about the profession.

But is this the right path for your kid? 

Let’s talk about it! Schedule a free consultation to see what directions our team recommends for your child, and to explore whether or not college applications advising can help you achieve your goals.