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Biological sciences, chemistry and human physiology are all common majors for students who plan to one day apply to medical school. English, astronomy and communications? Not nearly as common — but perhaps just as valuable.
All pre-med students at the University of Delaware take several courses in the humanities throughout their undergraduate years, but some choose to major in a field that at the surface level might not seem relevant to a future career in medicine.
Nana Ohemaa Asante, who graduated with a bachelor of arts in 2021 and a master of public health in December 2022, majored in English as an undergrad. She viewed English as a way to learn how to communicate effectively, help her process research more easily, and connect with her patients and help them understand complicated medical terminology.
“I think medicine should always be patient-centered,” said Asante, who plans to apply to medical school in the near future. “Science is a very important aspect, but the humanities keep you connected to the patient as a whole entire person, and not just a body of systems and organs.”
For a UD student, there are two main pathways to medical school. The Medical Scholars Program is an early admissions dual-track premedical eight-year academic program in partnership with three medical schools: Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine, and Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Students can also go through the Health Professions Evaluation Committee (HPEC), which supports UD students who are preparing to apply to medical, dental, optometry or podiatry school.