The Princeton Premed Track: Tips for Success

Princeton doesn’t have a fixed “premed major,” which means you can study what you love while completing the required premed courses. Princeton gives you the flexibility to explore your interests while still staying on track for med school.

In this blog, you’ll get a full breakdown of what it’s like to be a premed student at Princeton. We’ll walk you through the required courses, how to plan your academic timeline, when to take the MCAT, and what majors students typically choose.

• Premed at Princeton University
• Princeton Premed Requirements
• Princeton’s Sample Academic Timelines
• What’s the Best Major for Princeton Premed Students?
• What Med Schools Look For
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

Premed at Princeton University

If you’re thinking about med school, Princeton is a solid choice. There’s no official premed major here, but that’s normal even for top schools all over the country. You can study anything, and students from all majors—science or not—have gone on to become doctors. In fact, around a third of med school applicants from Princeton are non-science majors.

Even though it’s the only Ivy without its own med school, the support is there. The Health Professions Advising (HPA) office helps you plan your courses, prep for the MCAT, get research or clinical experience, and apply to med schools. The classes can be intense, so you’ll need to stay focused—but you’ll definitely be in good hands.

Princeton is ranked #1 among National Universities by U.S. News & World Report and offers strong undergraduate training. The student-to-faculty ratio is just 5:1, so you’ll get a lot of personal guidance.

Princeton has an incredible track record—think U.S. presidents, Supreme Court justices, top scientists, and business icons. It’s a school that’s known for success, which is also why it’s so competitive. In 2024, only 4.6% of over 40,468 applicants got in.

Princeton Premed Requirements

Since there’s no official “premed major,” you get the freedom to study what excites you most. Just remember, you’ll still need to complete certain science and math courses for med school, even if they’re not part of your major. Sometimes your major will cover these, but not always, so a bit of extra planning is key.

Every med school has slightly different course requirements, so timing matters. You’ll want to figure out when to take key classes so you’re ready for the MCAT and still graduate on time. If you’re at Princeton, there are four-year planning guides that can help you map everything out.

Here’s a list of Princeton courses that meet the usual premed requirements:

This table outlines the recommended premed coursework at Princeton, including course options, alternatives, and when they’re typically offered. Let’s take a look at the specific details for each subject:

Biology

It’s a smart move to go beyond the basic two biology courses as most med schools like seeing that extra effort. You might want to check out classes like Genetics (MOL 342), Modern Microbiology (MOL 380), Ecology (EEB 321), or Vertebrate Anatomy and Physiology (EEB 314). Anything with a focus on human biology should be a great choice.

Biochemistry

Biochemistry is a must for most med schools. It’s required by over 80 and recommended by many more. It’s also on the MCAT, so taking it is a no-brainer if you’re premed. If you’re in the Class of 2028, go ahead and put it on your schedule.

Math

Around 60 med schools want to see college-level math, and about half of those specifically want statistics. Since stats also shows up on the MCAT, it’s a good idea to take at least one stats course, no matter which department it’s in.

Psychology and sociology

Roughly 50 med schools ask for coursework in the humanities or social sciences. The MCAT includes sections on behavioral science, so these classes help a lot.

There’s no perfect match for the MCAT, but intro courses like PSY 101 and sociology classes that explore race and culture (like SOC 102 or SOC 221) are super helpful—and they often count toward your gen eds too.

English

Around 80 med schools expect you to take English, and many others want to see writing-heavy classes. Try to pick courses where most of your grade comes from reading, analyzing texts, and writing papers. You need to show them that you can think critically and communicate clearly as these are skills you’ll need as a future doctor.

Princeton’s Sample Academic Timelines

These sample timelines can help you figure out how to fit your premed courses into your college schedule alongside everything else you’re studying. There’s no single “right” way to plan it out—what works best really depends on you. One timeline is designed for science majors, and the other is for non-science majors, so you can pick the one that fits your path.

Sample timeline for science majors

There are some clear upsides to this timeline. By the time you apply, med schools will see all four years of your academic work, which is great if you’ve been trending upward. You’ll also have more opportunities to get strong letters of recommendation, especially from professors in your upper-level classes or your thesis adviser.

Moreover, taking the MCAT in the summer gives you a strong block of time to focus, and if needed, you’ll still have time to retake it. The glide year can be a huge bonus too as it gives you a chance to work, volunteer, do research, or simply recharge before jumping into med school. Plus, it can help you save some money ahead of time.

That said, this plan does have some challenges. You’ll need to finish all MCAT-related coursework within three years, which can feel a bit rushed. If that sounds too intense, take a look at Sample II—it offers a slower pace by spreading the science classes out. 

A quick note for chemistry majors: make sure you finish physics before junior year. And while psychology and sociology aren’t required, they’re definitely helpful when it comes to preparing for the MCAT.

Sample timeline for non-science majors

This timeline works well for non-science majors. You knock out General Chemistry early, which sets the stage for tougher courses like Organic Chem and Biochem. There’s also some breathing room—you can shift math, psych, stats, or writing depending on your schedule, which helps balance major requirements.

A big upside is how the science courses are spaced out. Physics and Organic Chem don’t overlap, and you’re not overloaded with labs in one semester. Taking the MCAT after senior year means you’ve covered nearly everything by test time, and you’ll have a solid summer block to prep. If needed, you still have time to retake it before apps go out.

The glide year is another win. It gives you time to work, volunteer, do research, or just take a break before med school starts. It’s also a good chance to save money or clarify your goals.

Still, this plan moves fast. You’ll need to finish MCAT-related courses by the end of junior year, and that takes planning—especially with courses like MOL 214, which may only run in certain semesters. And since the MCAT comes after graduation, retake windows are tight. But if you stay organized and start early, this path offers a solid balance.

What’s the Best Major for Princeton Premed Students?

If you’re thinking about med school, it’s easy to wonder if your major will give you an edge. You might even assume science majors are the safest bet. But here’s the truth—medical schools don’t favor one major over another.

According to data from the AAMC, there’s no real difference in MCAT scores or GPA between students who majored in biological sciences and those who chose something like history or anthropology. So, there’s no need to stress about picking the “perfect” major.

As a Princeton premed, you’ll do best choosing a major that truly interests you and helps you grow as a thinker. That way, you’re more likely to keep your GPA strong and stay motivated. It also gives you space to build skills—like communication, empathy, and analysis—that are just as important in medicine as memorizing pathways and formulas.

Some of the most popular majors for Princeton students who got into med school between 2020 and 2024 include:

• Molecular Biology
• Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
• Neuroscience
• Chemistry
• Psychology
• Anthropology
• Public & International Affairs
• Chemical & Biological Engineering
• History

If you want a clearer picture of how each major lines up with premed requirements, Princeton’s Health Professions Advising office has a helpful slideshow that breaks it all down. It shows which courses overlap and how to plan ahead based on your major.

If you’re still unsure, the Princeton Center for Career Development offers a tool called CareerExplorer to help you figure out what fields match your interests and strengths. Once you get your results, you can set up a chat with an advisor to talk through your options.

What Med Schools Look For

If you’re on the premed track at Princeton, you might be wondering what medical schools really care about. The good news? It’s pretty straightforward. While every school is a little different, most are looking for the same core things. Here’s what you should focus on while you’re here:

• A strong GPA—especially in your science classes
• All the required premed courses
• A competitive MCAT score
• Real-world experience through clinical work, volunteering, or research
• A thoughtful, honest reason for wanting to become a doctor

Your GPA matters a lot as med schools want to know you can handle the academic pressure. They’ll be looking closely at your grades, especially in courses like bio, chem, physics, and math. You’ll want to aim for a 3.5 or higher overall to stay in a strong position, and it’s especially important to do well in your science classes.

And of course, there’s the MCAT. This exam is a big piece of your application. It tests not just science knowledge but also how well you think through problems and analyze information. Most successful applicants to top U.S. med schools score somewhere between 510 and 528, with the average hovering around 518–520.

On top of all that, med schools are looking for more than just grades and test scores. They want to see that you’ve gotten involved—maybe you’ve volunteered at a clinic, worked in a lab, shadowed doctors, or helped in your community.

And when the time comes to apply, they’ll want to know your why, your real reason for choosing this path. So while academics are super important, don’t forget to invest time in the experiences that make you feel connected to the world of medicine.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does Princeton have a specific premed track?

Princeton doesn’t have a specific or formal “premed track,” but it does have a strong support system for students interested in medicine. You can major in anything you like—science or non-science—as long as you complete the required premed courses.

2. When should you take the MCAT?

Plan to take the MCAT after you’ve finished or are just about done with your core premed classes, like biology, general and organic chemistry, physics, and biochemistry. For most Princeton students, that usually means spring or summer of junior year. If you’re thinking about taking a glide year before med school, you’ve got a bit more flexibility and can push the exam later.

3. Does Princeton have a medical school?

No, Princeton doesn’t have a medical school. It’s actually the only Ivy League university without one.

4. Is Princeton good for premed?

Yes, Princeton is excellent for premed. It offers strong academics, personalized advising through HPA, small class sizes, and great research and clinical opportunities—all of which help students succeed in getting into top medical schools.

5. What is Princeton’s medical school acceptance rate?

At Princeton, the medical school acceptance rate is around 80%. Students who engage with prehealth advising and use the committee letter process tend to fare even better. Choosing the right year to apply, submitting early, and building a smart school list are key factors in that success.

Takeaways

Being a premed at Princeton means getting top-tier academics with the freedom to choose your own path. There’s no strict “premed track,” but you’ll have strong advising, great course options, and the flexibility to study what you love while preparing for med school.

• There’s no official premed major at Princeton. You can major in anything, as long as you complete the premed requirements.
• Medical schools look at more than just your major. What med schools really care about is your GPA (especially in science), a solid MCAT score, hands-on experience, and a clear, personal reason for going into medicine.
• There are two timeline options—one for science majors and one for non-science majors. Both timelines work, but they have different pacing.
• If you are considering Princeton for your premed course, boost your chances of getting in by working with a college admissions expert who can help you stay on track and fully prepared.