What courses do I need to take to be prepared for application to medical school?  Do I need to major in science? Are there required courses?

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 (MSAR™) (or you can search each individual school’s Web site).

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 prehealth advisor) can help you develop a realistic plan.
  
  
• Identify the medical schools that interest you and determine what premedical 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.

For More Information:

• Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR™)
  Published by the AAMC, this book is the most authoritative guide for applying to medical school. This accurate, thorough, and reliable resource is the only complete guide to U.S. and Canadian medical schools fully authorized by the schools themselves.  In it you will find information on application procedures and deadlines, selection factors (including MCAT® scores and grade-point averages), medical school class profiles, education costs and financial aid packages, and much more.