Will Music Lessons Help Your Kid Get into Medical School?
Maybe
When you think of the characteristics it takes to become a successful doctor, what sort of words come to mind? I think of things like intelligent, compassionate, hardworking, conscientious, analytical, creative, and persistent. If your child wants to become a successful doctor, what kinds of things should you do to help them develop these characteristics? I have a suggestion: study music.
In fact, one researcher found that music majors are the most likely group of college students to be admitted to medical school. Music majors have a 66% medical school acceptance rate compared to the next highest major which is biochemistry majors at 44% (Lewis Thomas, Case for Music in Schools, Phi Delta Kappa).
As it turns out, people with musical experience are at a distinct advantage in a lot of professional fields. Lawyers, computer coders, investment bankers, STEM careers and more all require skills and characteristics that musicians hone by playing an instrument. Here are some examples:
- Musicians understand the need to practice diligently. They know that learning starts with baby steps and entails multiple failures along the way
- Musicians must develop a strong work ethic to be successful
- Musicians learn to respond positively to constructive criticism knowing the intent is to improve
- Musicians learn to be empathetic as they strive to make emotional connections with both the music and the audience
- Musicians are great team members because they learn to play together, stay on tempo with others, navigate group dynamics, and alternate between being a soloist and having a supporting role
- Musicians must pay close attention to details
- Musicians are accustomed to working long hours
- Musicians can process a high volume of information at once
When you learn to play an instrument, you build brain capacity to read music while keeping a steady beat and commanding your fingers (and your mouth and breath for woodwinds and brass instruments) to move while also paying attention to your pitch while simultaneously minding the conductor. It’s a whole-brain workout!
Playing music expands executive functioning capabilities by training the brain to play one part of the music while mentally and physically preparing for the next portion. It also helps to strengthen creativity by stimulating the parts of the brain used for problem solving and decision making. And since music itself cannot be seen or touched, but it is rather heard and experienced, it encourages abstract thinking.
Playing a musical instrument facilitates the processing of emotions and reduces stress and anxiety. When we are not consumed with our own worries and concerns, we have more room for compassion and empathy for others.
Music has a singular ability to engage our brains in ways that nothing else in life can, and that’s why it’s the perfect foundation for just about any successful career!
Julie Chambers is the owner of Chambers Music Studios with locations in Bexley, Columbus, and Worthington, and host of the Musical Life Podcast. This article first appeared in the Worthington Spotlight March 2025 Edition.
