Answers from the Experts

Career Major to Become an Oncologist

"I want to be an oncologist and I'm not sure what I want to major in now that people are telling me that Pre-Med is not a major. I don't want to just major in Biology, but my own doctor told me that she majored in nutritional health and to major in whatever I wanted, as long as it met my science requirements. Do you have any suggestions about what I should do?"

Responses were sent from:
Northern Arizona University, Drew University, and Union College.

Member Institution and Association Answers:

From Northern Arizona University:

In actuality, you can major in anything you want in college. The trick is you must take the classes required to get into medical school - biology, chemistry, etc., no matter what your major. If you don't major in a science, then you will have to take the majority of those required classes as electives, taking away some of the time you would have to explore other interesting subjects. Just as a thought, with oncology as a goal, even though biology does not sound exciting, you might want to consider a biology major and emphasize some classes in microbiology or in genetics - two areas that relate well to oncology.

James E. Casebeer
Assistant Director
Office of Enrollment Services
Northern Arizona University
928-523-6080
james.casebeer@nau.edu

From Drew University:

The advice that you got from your own doctor is exactly right. You do not have to be a biology major to go to medical school. And yes, you should major in whatever you want, as long as you take the required science courses for medical school. The truth is that since students with an interest in health professions take the science courses anyway, it's easy to major in chemistry or biology. Drew has had quite a few double majors though because its great to have interests outside of the sciences and to delve into them deeply. I've counseled students who have paired a major in Biology with Economics, with English, with German, with French, just to name a few. I've also advised students who've gone on to medical school with majors in History, Sociology and Psychology, usually with a Biology or Chemistry minor.

If you have additional questions I am happy to answer them or you can read more at our website:
www.drew.edu/cla/depts/programs/premed.php.

Elizabeth Justin
Chair of the Health Professions Committee and Instructor of Biology
Drew University
Madison, NJ 07940
973-408-DREW
www.drew.edu

From Union College:

Depending on what college you're looking at, most still have a Pre-Med major, so don't worry it is a real major. There has been a growing trend, for students interested in the medical profession to major in something other than Pre-Med. That is fine. If you go to college and find that you like a different major feel free to pursue that. Your docotor is right, though, make sure you complete the correct science classes so that you will have no problems moving on to medical school.

Teran R. Tadal
Assistant Dean of Admissions
UNION COLLEGE
Schenectady, NY 12308
Phone: 518-388-6112
tadalt@union.edu