Medical School Requirements
So you’ve taken the plunge and have decided to attend medical school. Medical school requirements will certainly vary from school to school, but there are some generalities that we can make. These will help you in deciding which classes you need to take in order to get prepared for medical school.
General Class Information
For most medical schools, you will need at least one year of:
- General Biology
- General Chemistry with Laboratory
- Physics
- Organic Chemistry with Laboratory
- English
- Calculus
Now keep in mind that these classes will also help you immensely on the MCAT, which you will also need to take. These classes can be completed at nearly any four year college.
Grade Point Average
There is no secret universal GPA that you should have when applying to medical schools. However, each individual medical school will probably have their own internal cut-off GPA. If you browse around, you can find rumors and oftentimes official statements of what these cutoff values are. However, you should try and maintain your GPA as high as possible since getting into medical school is highly competitive to begin with.
A GPA of above 3.5 is ideal. Anything below a 3.3 and you’ll probably need to do some post-bac work to improve it. Your GPA will be broken down into a general GPA and a science GPA. Medical schools typically place more weight on your science GPA, so try to maintain it as high as possible.
Degree
A bachelors degree is required for most medical schools, but it does not have to be from a science major. In fact, there have been rumors that medical schools like applicants who aren’t science majors, as it shows diversity in the applicant. On another note, English majors typically do well in medical school since they have spent the last 4 years reading a lot of information. Thus, they have found ways to digest information more effectively, and oftentimes do incredibly well on the verbal portion of the MCAT.
If you do decide to complete a bachelors degree in a science major, it will not hurt you. Just keep in mind that you do not have to have a science major in order to be accepted into medical school.
Medical College Admissions Test
The Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) is a requirement for all medical schools (except for the combined B.S. / M.D. programs). Just like GPA, there is no universal cutoff value in score. The exam tests your knowledge from college in the biological sciences, physical sciences, and verbal reasoning. Anything above 36 is a great score, but I have read about numerous applicants being accepted with scores as low as 28. If you go below 28, it’s probably a good idea to take the exam again and try to improve your score.
Taking the exam more then three times has been rumored to hurt your chances for admission. Although admission committees like to see persistence, a large number of attempts will show them that you might not be cut out for the rigors of medical school.
Most examinees will take an MCAT preparation course offered through Kaplan or the Princeton Review. Not doing so doesn’t guarantee that your score will be low, but you will be putting yourself an an automatic disadvantage versus other applicants. Take the course if you can afford it.
It has also been rumored that an even scoring distribution is ideal. So, for a score of 36 having three 12s is better than two 14s and an 8.
Volunteer Work
Volunteer work, although technically optional, is something that most applicants to medical school will complete at some point during their college career. Look for anything that will give you some exposure to working in medicine, and try to do as much as you can. Typically a year or more of consistent volunteer work will be sufficient to pad your application enough for the admissions committee.
Undergraduate Research
While not required, this is a great way to pad your application. I did research as an undergraduate and talked about this research at each of my medical school interviews. It shows that you’re interested in the sciences in general and certainly doesn’t hurt your application at all.
Keep in mind that doing volunteer work as well as research presents an awesome opportunity for letters of recommendation. You will need anywhere from 3-5 depending on the schools that you are applying to.
Summary of Medical School Requirements:
- General Class Information
- General Biology
- General Chemistry with Laboratory
- Physics
- Organic Chemistry with Laboratory
- English
- Calculus
- Grade Point Average
- Above 3.5 is ideal.
- Try not to go below 3.3
- Degree
- Bachelors degree is required, but not necessarily in the sciences.
- MCAT
- Scores above 28 with an even scoring distribution are ideal.
- Volunteer Work
- Optional, but doesn’t hurt your application.
- Gives opportunity for letter of recommendation.
- Research
- Optional, but improves your application a decent amount.
- Gives opportunity for letter of recommendation.
Related Link: stethoscopes for nursing students
Two questions: 1.) I have an athletic scholarship at a D1 school. My grades are fine, but they probably suffer a little due to the time commitment to my sport. Will the extracurricular activity offset the lower GPA or would I be better off to give up my sport and spend more time on my studies? 2.) The university I attend is very competitive (80% were in the top 10% of their high school class). Earning and maintaining an acceptable GPA has been a challenge. I have friends who are going to colleges where good grades have proven much easier. How much weight is placed on where you got your undergraduate?
Hi
Thanks for the info it really helps even tho I have a couple more yrs till medical school, I am not sure tho about the research portion, what do u mean? Research like generally do we need proof of the research we’ve done? Should it be papers we’ve written? If you can plz clarify that part.
Thanks
Hey I’m a senior in high school and I am still not sure what to major in for undergrad. Any suggestions? I took AP Psychology last year and I really liked it, so I was considering a Psych major. I know this article said it does not matter what my major is as long as I take the required courses, but would I be better off with a phys. science major for the MCATs anyway?
Thanks for your help!
Hi-
I have a B.A. with a double major in psych and communication, and I am having to take more classes to get the foundation necessary for med school. I would suggest getting a B.S. over a B.A. if you are looking at med school. On top of this, make sure the science classes you take are applicable to the reqs for med school. I took Astronomy for my science reqs, and now I wish I would have taken Bio. At the same time, enjoy yourself and take what you love if possible.
Best,
303
303 and anyone else who has an interest,
I am currently working on the Ph.D portion of what will end up as duel degrees (with an MD). My undergraduate degree is a BA in Pre-Medical studies with an emphasis on medical biology. I’ve been told (and also found from my personal experience) that the BA is advantageous for applying to graduate/professional schools. The BA carries the weight of a diversified curriculum (including humanities, foreign languages, etc.) while the BS is commonly assumed to be just science work. Therefore, the BA is good to have in your background because graduate/professional schools are always looking for applicants with diverse coursework under their belts. I would also encourage people with further interest in medicine to take classes they enjoy, but the essentials are: general chemistry 1 &2, organic chemistry 1 &2, physics, and as much biology as you can take (Anatomy and Physiology 1 &2, Microbiology, Genetics, Cell Biology, Pathology). I hope this information helps you or someone.
Cheers,
15
Hey everyone for thos eof you in med school or who have applied I need some adivce. i am a freshman at a good private college and am majoring in Public Relations/Communications…I do enjoy communications but a part of me has always had a dream of being a doctor and I am afraid I will look back on my life at 45 and regret not TRYING to go to med school. I am on the deans list and do well in school…physics and calculus are not my strongest points though but biology and memorizing and reading things i excel at. So I was wondering if anyone had feedback as to if it would be worth it to take the science and math courses but keep my PR major….then go to MCAT review session take it and then apply to med school…feedback please?
I am 28 and at a crossroads!! I am in love with medicine and am totally torn between nurse, pa, cnra, and med school. I would love to go to med school but honestly feel too old, is it worth it? I mean I woudn’t make a paycheck untill I was 40!! Please don’t take this wrong but I know I am more capable than nursing. I want more. BUT, is that a good stepping stone degree/experience for pa or even med school? I need HONEST opinions and direction.
I am 33 starting my bachelors degree and planning to go to med school, I will be 41 by the time I am done, I do not see that as a disadvantage. I plan on having a long and fruit full career in medicine. Don’t see your age as a disadvantage but a plus, in that you’ve been around and know what you want out of life. Go after your dream, you’ll always regret it if you sell yourself short and don’t even try.
Thank you so much for your words of wisdom i too am older and am fearful of my age being a problem thank you for your encouraging words.
I understand you. I m in love with medicine too. I cant understand why your age is a problem. I m begining by the time I have the money to go to. I m 22 and an english major and now I am at the second year of another degree history and ethnology. Believe me, medicine, never dies inside you. You need hard work to conquer your dreams ,nothing comes automatically. I have no money to go to the medical school but by the time I am 25 I will have them.
GO FOR IT!!!!!!!!!
hey is it possible to get into med school with a BA in chemistry?
Ardit: I’m 30 with a BFA and starting to take the prereqs for med school. I’ll be 32 starting med school if I’m accepted; 38-39 when everything is said and done. Someone once told me, you will be 40 anyway- what does it matter if next year I’m 31 of 41? If you look up stats, the average age is 25. And as far as options, why not go for the best of the best? People say to me, what about being a PA instead? Why do they ask this? Don’t settle. Life is too short.
Hi,
I am in my first year of college and I am 36 years old. I have always wanted to be a doctor and I cannot imagine myself doing anything else. I will be 42 when I graduate from medical school. If there is anyone else out there that could lend some encouraging words, they would be greatly appreciated.
I think it’s great that you’re going back to school! I’m also 36 and just earned my associates in general studies, I am continuing on for psychiatry and won’t be done til
i’m 42, too! Good Luck!
hey man congratulations on that decision. do not worry u will be alright. just focus in ur goal and u will be what u need.
I am 50 with a BS and MS in Geology. I would like to go back to school, but my GPA is too low (<3.5). I originally wanted to be a Physician but Organic Chemistry and calculus ended that dream. I just could not do the math.
Did you give up your dream completely? I am over 50, working in the pharam industry and have always wanted to go to med school but had family to take care–no rich uncles or husbands to fund me. I;ve taken post bac pre med clases from UCLA (some are over 8 yrs now) but haven’t taken MCATs yet. I think I may only get into a Carib school or a DO school. I have had this dream for 30 years and can’t give it up. I am doing this to help patients, because I love medicine and want to make a difference and don’t really care about making Beverly Hills wages. Pls give me some feedback…am I wasting my time?
hello, im a freshman in college and i screwed u very bad for my first semester.i withdrew my computer class, and failed my math 101 class because i never attended school, but i passed english 101. does this mean i absolutely ruined my chances for medical school?.
hello, im a freshman in college and i screwed UP very bad for my first semester.i withdrew my computer class, and failed my math 101 class because i never attended school, but i passed english 101. does this mean i absolutely ruined my chances for medical school?.
hi guys… i am 25, graudated from college a few years ago with a BA and now am considering medical school. i live in Chicago and know of a few post-bac programs but does anyone know if i’m able to take the classes individually at a community college to save myself some money? thanks!
Hi Amanda-
I also have a B.A. and am just taking the classes I need at a Community College. I don’t think it matters when you take the classes in regard to getting a degree. As long as the CC is accredited, and you take the correct course level, you should be okay. If you are still unsure, I would say to ask the admissions department at the med school you plan to attend.
Best,
303
Hi everyone. I am 20 (21 in june) and a junior in college majoring in microbiology. My first semester in college I had a severe allergic reaction that had horrible effects on me. I had joint pain, rashes all over my body, dizziness, fatigue. It affected me for almost a month and as everyone in college knows, a month is a huge chunk of time. Never the less, my GPA ended up being a 2.6. I then transfered schools and now have a 3.6. I was only able to volunteer for 1 month in the ER but I am in the most competitive research program in my school (i work with malaria and have to write an undergrad thesis). What’s really scaring me is my 2.6 gpa. With that averaged in to my 3.6 (hopefully higher after this semester) my average GPA will be around a 3.45.
Obviously this is not wonderful but med schools will see a huge upward trend. Will this make up for my horrible first semester? Should i be extremely worried about that problem? Also, i am in the kaplan mcat prep and will take the test in May.
Thank you. sorry for writing so much.
David-
Relax! You will get into med school somewhere if you are determined to do so. Keep doing what you’re doing, and focus on the MCAT. Life happens, and if all med schools were that close-minded there would be no doctors in the world. You seem to have a great attitude and that will come through.
Best,
303
hi I am an international student, I’m 18 and I just finish high school, my main aim is to go to medical school, but I don’t know the correct route to take. My grades are all (CXC) Caribbean Examination Council, and I have one CAPE in Caribbean Studies. My grades are all grade three’s which are all passes.I have 8 subjects and I need help in making the right dicision. Can you help me
Amanda and David, please check out http://forums.studentdoctor.net/
I’m a non-traditional student as well, considering med school. The variety of forums on the site will be able to answer any questions you may have.
Thanks for the important info Hoover.
I am wondering, I am a 39 yo who just decided to finish up my undergrad, I have about 3 more classes to take. I am contemplating med school. Can anyone advise if my age would have any strikes against me getting into Med School. I have a solid GPA in the Science and Non Science courses. I am just worried about my age being an Issue.
Hi, I’m currently in my 3rd year at UCLA. Fucked up my 1st and 2nd year. have a 2.6 cum GPA and a 2.2 science GPA. Currently an EMT and now for the first time am considering Med school. Am doing research at the school’s brain mapping center. studied abroad my 2nd year and worked at a cancer center as a lab tech there. Will it take me 10 years to be considered a competitive pre-med student in the eyes of the med school admissions staff?
I am a senior psych major at a four year university. I took all the steps towards applying to graduate schools in psychology, including working in a research lab and taking numerous statistics classes, but I can’t shake the feeling that I should pursue medicine instead. I’d like to persue psychiatry, but I’ve NEVER been good at math. I’m minoring in biology, so I’m ok there, but I haven’t taken chemistry since high school. My psych GPA is a 3.9 but my bio is around a 3.5. What are the odds that someone like me could get in to medical school? Also, can I take the necessary med school prereqs at a junior college as opposed to my four year institution?
Hey all, 2nd year med student here.
to cynthia: that reminded me of something my dean once said. My school, and some others too, will not consider your undergrad GPA IF you got do a full Master’s program. They will then look at THAT GPA instead. But, honestly, uless you pull 4.0’s the last two years and ace the MCAT’s brilliantly, the MAster’s route would probably be the best idea.
Me,
I am a senior biology major planning on going to med school. I failed some classes as a sophomore and , and thereby have a low GPA. I am considering doing a master’s in biology. Can you tell me which schools it is that you have heard only look at grad school GPA if you finish a master’s.
Hi me said,
Thanks for giving me hope!!!
Cynthia
Hello All, just looking for some perspective here. I’m a registered nurse who began my university career as a pre-med student. I later changed my major for many (now foolish) reasons. I was a very good student, maintained a good GPA, and passed the NCLEX first try…although it’s not the MCAT, the exam is still very difficult. Anyway, now that I have been working in pediatric intensive care for a few years, I’m regretting that I didn’t give myself a fair chance. I see many residents pass through the unit and I kick myself constantly when I realize I’m just as smart as they are etc. The point is I’m wondering if I should attempt med school after all or just live a life of regret. I’ve researched PA and NP programs but they seem just as unfulfilling. I love nursing and it really does not get the respect it deserves, but I think I should have believed in myself more. I’m just puzzled as to what I should do next…I’ve been out of university now for 3 years and don’t even know where to begin (aside from completing 3 pre-reqs and taking the MCAT) even if I do decide to go back. Any advice on where to start? Thanks for letting me ramble.
Have you thought about a doctorate in nursing? Maybe it’s the level of education and not the doctor title you are after? It sounds like you love nursing and see the value in nursing. Otherwise, I say go for it! You only get one chance at life, but you get many chances to make things the way you want.
Get into med school. Talk to the admission officers. They will be very receptive to your case. You’ll see.
Talk to the admissions people and get into med school.
You will hate yourself for the rest of your life if you do not promote yourself to a full-fledged MD.
Do not go into NP or PA programs. They were designed for idiots.
hi! i am 20 years old and i am now attending a junior college to become a surgical technologist, i KNOW i do NOT want to stop here! i have ALWAYS absolutly LOVEd the medical field. My GPA right now is a 3.8 and i know i could do better! i thought that i was not smart enough and dint give myself enough credit for anything. I am not so good at test taking when it comes to taking big test, but this is something i want bad enough so i really would like to attepmt it, so i could’t ever say i never tried.Although, i have one problem . . .. my grades in high school were absolutly horrible and i never put forth much effort until i started college and knew i was going to school for something i love, and that is something in the medical filed.With this information being said about me not doing good AT ALL in high school, do you think i would still have a chance in Med School?
one other problem that comes to mind is MATH!! i am not so good at math but i did take pharmacology and did fine with the math in that course! i think i just did bad in high school with math because i dint want to be there, but since i would be taking math for something i am in love with it probably would seem easier to me.
I am a high school senior and i am going to be majoring in biology/pre-professional. I want to go to Harvard for med school. i wanted to will this class offer me all the minor class requirements that Harvard asks for. And also if no what do you think a good school to go to would be. I want to become a pediatric cardiologist.
Thank you And if you don’t know the requirements the link is here:
http://hms.harvard.edu/admissions/default.asp?page=requirements
I have a BFA and at least a 3.5 avg. Considering advancing. Could go the RA route but I wouldn’t be a MD. It would take me a couple years to knock out those sciences I lack and continue work full time. Since I’m already in the “field” how essential are they as prereq’s? Would MD recommendations help? I just turned 42…
I
I have a BFA and at least a 3.5 avg. Considering advancing. Could go the RA route but I wouldn’t be a MD. It would take me a couple years to knock out those sciences I lack and continue work full time. Since I’m already in the “field” how essential are they as prereq’s? Would MD recommendations help? I just turned 42…
HI,
I was hoping I would find someone that could help me with a few questions. I graduated with a doctorate degree in Chiropractic and also have a bachelors in science, and an associate degree in physical therapy(All with a gpa of 4.0). First I was hoping these past experiences would help me get into med school. Second, you can imagine I have a lot of debt. Over 100,000 from student loans. Would this hurt my chances of getting financial aid. I am currently 32 yo. How long would you study before taking the MCAT. I would like to get into med school as soon as I can. I would greatly appreciate it if anyone has any suggestions or info to provide me.
i am doing my A levels, where do i go after its done? do i apply for med school or what?
please help me out.
Hi
Thank you so much for the Medical School requirements, I really apprecitate it. But I have one question. Would it hurt me if I took Biochemistry instead of taking Organic Chemistry
i am 24 and just about to finish a medical lab bachelors. i am interested in attending med school, but i don’t know how to go about it. am working on raising my GPA, and i also need to take physics, organic chem, and a few other courses before i get a chance to apply. i have a few questions:
1. who do i need to talk to in my school(counselors, other students, etc.)?
2. how intense is med school once you are in it? i have a daughter, and i was wondering if holding down a job while in med school would hurt my GPA?
3. how does one pay for med school if we can’t afford it?
what does a typical med school day look like (how many hours does one spend in class, lab, etc. )?
Well these pre-reqs are for MD schools and not all MD schools require Calc, only a handful.
http://www.dartmouth.edu/~nss/nav/pages/advice/MedSchlMathReq08rev.pdf
im 13 and am very intrested in becoming a surgeon later in life but i cant quite figure out the exact high school courses i should/need to take next year all the way through my seniour year any help?
Hello, I am a sophomore at Purdue University, majoring in movement and sports science minoring in biology. I am taking the required courses for medical school also. I currently have a 3.16 GPA so I am obviously going to try extremely hard to raise this. What are you thoughts on my current situation and are there any other option I should consider. I am looking into spots medicine and orthopedic surgery
thanks
I’m taking college classes during highschool that do not transfer over to the university I want to go to, will medical schools count these classes when I apply?