Aspiring Docs

FAQs and Resources

Preparing for Medical school

  • What courses do I need to take to be prepared for application to medical school?

    Medical schools generally require a solid body of coursework in biology, chemistry, physics, math, and English, but there's no secret formula. To find the most up-to-date medical school requirements, consult the AAMC's Medical School Application Requirements ( MSARTM ) .

    Here are a few steps you can take to begin the process:

    • Know what courses you need to graduate from your current school in your major and have a plan to meet those requirements. Your academic advisor (who may or may not be your pre-health advisor) can help you develop a realistic plan.

    • Identify the medical schools that interest you and determine what pre-medical coursework they require.

    • Enroll in some upper-level science courses prior to graduation to help solidify your understanding of concepts and principles. Your advisor can help recommend which courses to take.

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  • In addition to my studies, are there other skills and experiences that I need?

    Medical schools seek well-rounded applicants who are passionate about a career in medicine. Volunteer and medically related experiences, enrichment program participation, and/or research involvement are important, but not as important as what you learn from these experiences. Here are some other skills and qualities that medical schools look for:

    • Leadership. Medical schools are interested in applicants who demonstrate leadership through volunteer work, school activities, and employment. 

    • Understanding of a medical career. Your experiences should indicate that you understand what a career in medicine involves, and could include volunteering at a hospital, clinic, or nursing home or working as a research assistant. While you should have a variety of experiences, they shouldn't appear to have been selected in a random or arbitrary manner. 

    • Ability to balance school and other activities. Most important, don't overextend yourself and thereby compromise your academic performance. Candidates for medical school are selected on the basis of the candidate's complete profile (undergraduate and/or graduate record, MCAT® scores, personal characteristics, letters of recommendation, and experiences).

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  • What kinds of work or volunteer experiences are medical schools looking for?

    Medical schools encourage you to pursue opportunities, both paid and volunteer, which will help you learn about the medical profession, your personal skills and abilities, and your own likes and dislikes. Examples of experiences that will give you a taste of a medical career include:

    • Caring for an ill or elderly family member

    • Participating in basic or clinical science research efforts

    • Working as an emergency medical technician

    • Job shadowing a physician

    • Volunteering at a crisis center, emergency room, or social service agency

    These experiences will help you gain skills such as tolerance for stress, the ability to communicate and empathize with people of different backgrounds and cultures, problem solving, and the willingness to put others' needs before your own.

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  • What about summer programs to help me learn more about medicine?

    Summer is a perfect time to pursue programs and activities that could help strengthen your application and make you a more attractive candidate to prospective medical schools.

    For example, the Summer Medical and Dental Education Program (SMDEP) is a free, six-week, residential summer program that provides highly motivated first- and second-year college students from diverse backgrounds with intensive and personalized preparation for medical or dental school. Program components include:

    • Academic enrichment in the basic sciences (organic chemistry, physics, biology, pre-calculus/calculus) and key elective courses (writing, oral presentations, current topics in health);

    • Learning-skills seminars, including study skills and methods of individual and group learning;

    • Limited clinical exposure through small-group clinical rotations and full-group clinician seminars;

    • Career development, including the exploration of the medical and dental professions and an individualized education plan to identify other appropriate summer experiences; and

    • A financial-planning workshop.

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  • Who can help advise me about preparing for medical school?

    Preparing for medical school requires effort and careful planning, but there are many people who can help you.

    First, find out if your school has a health professions advisor (sometimes called a pre-med or pre-health advisor).  If such an advisor is not available at your school, contact your campus career counseling center or minority affairs office, or talk with one of your science professors.

    No matter whom you talk to " an advisor, guidance counselor, or professor " ask them to help you:

    • Find college courses that will satisfy your premed requirements;

    • Determine an appropriate sequence for completing your courses;

    • Find tutoring help, if needed;

    • Plan your academic schedule to balance premed coursework with your other interests, such as studying abroad or completing a senior honors thesis;

    • Find volunteer or paid clinical and/or research experience;

    • Strengthen your application to medical school;

    • Prepare for interviews and standardized tests;

    • Arrange for letters of evaluation and recommendation;

    • Connect with financial aid officers who can help you prepare to pay for medical school through loans, scholarships, and service obligation programs; and

    • Plan the best career path, based on your individual strengths and weaknesses, values, and life goals.

    If you have difficulty finding an advisor at your school, the National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions may be able to connect you with volunteer advisors from other schools.

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  • What if my school doesn't have a pre-med or pre-health advisor?

    If you have difficulty finding an advisor at your school, the National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions may be able to connect you with volunteer advisors from other schools. You can also ask for help from your campus career counseling office, minority affairs office, or science professors.

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  • What if my advisor discourages me from going into medicine?

    Most advisors are knowledgeable, helpful, and supportive, but if you find yourself in a situation where you feel uncomfortable or discouraged by the advice you receive, you always have the option to turn to someone else for a second opinion. Ask for help from a campus career counseling office, the minority affairs office, a trusted professor, or another pre-health advisor.  It may be that the advisor is suggesting that you be realistic in your career planning, or it may be that the advisor is more cautious in his or her advice than your individual situation might merit. Seeking a second opinion will help you clarify and better evaluate your career goals.

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  • Where can I get more information about medical schools and their admission requirements?

    Medical schools' admissions requirements vary, so it's important to do your research. The better informed you are, the better choices you can make, so finding a trusted resource is essential. The Medical School Admission Requirements ( MSARTM ) provides extensive information on individual schools' requirements, deadlines, application and acceptance polices, and more.

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  • Where can I get more information about programs that encourage more minority students to go into medicine?

    There are many efforts now under way to boost minority student enrollment in medical schools, including career fairs, summer enrichment programs, and publications that provide step-by-step information about the application process and financial assistance.

    Summer Enrichment Programs: The Summer Medical and Dental Education Program  is a free, six-week, residential summer program co-directed by the AAMC and the American Dental Education Association (ADEA). There are numerous other Online Enrichment Programs - Free Resource!  around the country. By going to the searchable database, you can find the one located at the medical school campus nearest you.

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