Pre-Health
PHAP Perspective: Exploring Global Studies of Public Health- Navigating Undergraduate Majors as a Pre-Health Student
Written by Jenna Trent, '26, Pre-Med
The path to pursue a career in the health and medical care field is an exciting endeavor that requires decision making, especially when it comes to deciding on an undergraduate major. Choosing a major as a pre-health student can feel challenging and overwhelming. However, the unique and special aspect of being a pre-health student is that when deciding on a major, your opportunities are endless! Therefore, pre-health students are able to pursue any major that aligns with their own personal passions, interests, and pursuits. Just make sure that you are completing the appropriate prerequisites for your pre-health track!
Pre-Health students today are expanding beyond the basic sciences by pursuing degrees in English, Anthropology, History, or Sociology to name a few. One of the many emerging options for an undergraduate major is Public Health. This field of study allows for a diverse perspective on addressing health on a broader scale through the means of health-related intervention and protection strategies for the improvement of a population. Public Health is an excellent field of study to enhance a future professional career in healthcare. If you are eager to explore undergraduate majors and learn more about public health, here are some tips to assist you in your undergraduate major endeavors.
Exploring Undergraduate Majors
1. What Major is Right for Me?
Pre-Health students have the option to choose any major that they please. If you are unsure about what major to pursue, reflect on previous courses and experiences that drive and motivate you as a student. According to the Princeton Review, "having an entirely science-based curriculum can lead to burnout. Plus, taking non-science courses will give you training in other disciplinary modes of thinking...while also broadening your studies." Seek guidance from the Career Center or Pre-Health Advising to assist in deciding on a major.
- Undergraduate Majors UVA: Here is a complete list of all majors offered at UVA. Explore majors that you may have not considered pursuing before-- you may be surprised with how much they actually intrigue or interest you!
- Pre-Health Major Options: The Princeton Review has provided detailed descriptions of common majors that pre-health students pursue.
2. What Do Medical Schools Think of Non-Science Majors?
If you are a student on the pre-med track, medical schools do not have a preference for the major that you choose. However, medical schools value the student's authenticity and well-roundedness in pursuing passions that truly interest them. Medical schools want to see that students are able to exemplify the characteristics of leadership in their field of study, in addition to demonstrating other pursuits outside of medicine. Remember, that your undergraduate major is a miniscule aspect of your admission decision-- instead the MCAT, GPA, clinical experience, and research weigh heavily in admission. According to the U.S. News and World Report, "medical school applicants come from a wide range of backgrounds, including engineering and business. These students often make an effort to show the connection between their major and their interest in medicine and how their major connects to patient care." Pro Tip: Don't feel the need to limit or put yourself in a "box"-- major in studies that captivate and show your strengths and foster growth as a student. Therefore, it is recommended to not choose a major based on the "good impression" it will have on the admission committee. Instead, make sure to focus on completing all pre-health prerequisite requirements.
Public Health: The Major Rise in Popularity for Pre-Health Students
1. Why Major in Public Health as a Pre-Health Student?
Majoring in Public Health as a pre-health student will provide you with a unique opportunity to gain greater knowledge and understanding on the broader determinants, challenges, and issues of health that impact the population. Therefore, students will immerse themselves in an array of academic coursework on topics including disease outbreak, prevention strategies, public health policy, health disparities, social determinants of health, environmental health, and much more. If you are determined to combat and address health inequities and disparities, or advocate for greater access and affordability to medical care, then choosing a degree in Public Health is the right field for you!
2. What are some application tips and suggestions?
If you are interested in pursuing the Global Studies of Public Health major at UVA, I would highly recommend meeting with the core faculty member and director of the Global Public Health Track, Kathryn Quissell, to gain additional information and insight on the program and to ask any questions that you may have. You can also reach out to any of the professors/faculty members in the program to discuss their research in public health or the courses that they teach. In addition, I would also recommend any Global Studies information sessions. Typically, these will occur in the beginning of the fall semester, where students can hear from program directors about completing the application, writing the personal statement, or classes that should be taken. Lastly, it is very important to prioritize the personal statement on the application. I would recommend getting started on the statement sooner rather than later so that you can seek advice and support if needed. I would advise thinking about an area of study that interests you and how public health would support that endeavor. For example, I discussed my passion to address cancer disparities in African-American populations. Let your voice shine through in this statement to show the admissions committee why you would become a leader in the field of public health!
- UVA Global Pubic Health: Here is a link to the Global Studies of Public Health major at UVA. As you explore the page, you will find general information on courses offered, capstones theses from previous graduates, and application materials.
3. What are recommended classes to take?
If you are thinking about additional courses to take for the fall semester, here is a brief list of recommended classes to get you exposed to the diverse disciplines of Public Health.**
- PHS 3050: Fundamentals of Public Health**
- PHS 3104: Introduction to Epidemiology: Methodological and Ethical Considerations
- SOC 2280: Medical Sociology
- SOC 3700: Health and Society
- GSGS 2000: Introduction to Global Studies
- RELG 2650: Religion, Ethics, and Health Care
- AAS 3500: Race, Ethnicity, and Health in the US
**Great course to start with for a detailed and comprehensive introduction to Public Health
4. What is the role of public health when applying to medical school?
If you are a pre-med student who plans on taking a gap/bridge year before medical school, pursuing a master's degree in the field of public health is a great opportunity. According to the U.S. News and World Report, "Public Health experiences equip future doctors with essential skills to address border societal health care issues, such as health care disparities, infectious disease outbreaks, health effects of climate [and many more]." Obtaining an MPH degree before medical school will allow you to gain first-hand experience on addressing health at the population level and demonstrate to medical school admissions committees your diverse experiences and perspectives when practicing clinical care.
- UVA 4+1 Undergraduate-Public Health Program: Here is information on UVA's 4+1 undergraduate public health program. Students in their third year of undergraduate coursework can apply to the program, and if accepted will begin their graduate level coursework in their 4th year.
- Public Health Roles to Pursue Before Medical School: Here is some additional information from the perspective of a physician who pursued a public health role before attending medical school. The physician provides very beneficial insight on their experiences, career goals, and time during their gap year.
- "Will Earning a Master's Degree in Public Health Help Me Get into Med School?": Here is an interview with an admissions committee from the University of Arizona College of Medicine that discusses if an MPH degree allows for a "smoother path" into medical school.