What are the best majors at the University of Washington for premed students?

At the University of Washington, the most practical majors for premed students are usually Biology, Biochemistry, Neuroscience, Physiology, and Public Health, with Biology being the most common because it overlaps heavily with medical school prerequisites. Biology at UW is flexible, includes core coursework in general biology, chemistry, and labs, and makes it easier to fit in classes like organic chemistry, physics, and biochemistry. Public Health can also work well if you want a lighter science major on paper while still completing premed requirements separately.

The main thing to know at UW is that some majors are capacity-constrained. Biochemistry is excellent preparation for the MCAT and med school coursework, but many students find it more demanding, so it can be tougher if GPA protection is a priority.

If your goal is the smoothest fit, Biology is probably the safest recommendation. It gives you strong overlap with premed classes, multiple specialization paths, and enough flexibility to add research, volunteering, or a minor without making scheduling too rigid.

Physiology is also a strong choice if you are especially interested in human systems and want coursework that feels directly relevant to medicine. Public Health works best for students who like health topics but do not want every class to be lab-heavy, though you would need to plan your chemistry, physics, and biology prerequisites carefully alongside the major.