4 answers
Arpi
Student
Harvard, Massachusetts
1
Question
Updated
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How do medical school applications work?
How should I start preparing for them as an incoming sophomore in college?
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4 answers
Cheri Hall
Physical Therapist
103
Answers
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Updated
Cheri’s Answer
Hi Arpi,
Dr. H has already shared some great tips for preparing to apply to med school. I have a few more suggestions to add. Starting in your sophomore year, try to meet regularly with a pre-health advisor. They can guide you on becoming a strong applicant and help you through the med school application process. If your school doesn't have pre-health advisors, you can find one through the National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions on their website.
Next, start researching different medical schools and their requirements. Each school might have different needs, so it's helpful to know early if a school you like has specific requirements. You can also look into medical school programs and combined-degree options using the MSAR guide. Just search for "MSAR-med school" online, and it will help you explore various med schools in one place.
Lastly, keep exploring extracurricular and leadership opportunities. Make sure to keep a journal or record of your activities. This will make it easier to refer to them later for essays and interviews.
Dr. H has already shared some great tips for preparing to apply to med school. I have a few more suggestions to add. Starting in your sophomore year, try to meet regularly with a pre-health advisor. They can guide you on becoming a strong applicant and help you through the med school application process. If your school doesn't have pre-health advisors, you can find one through the National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions on their website.
Next, start researching different medical schools and their requirements. Each school might have different needs, so it's helpful to know early if a school you like has specific requirements. You can also look into medical school programs and combined-degree options using the MSAR guide. Just search for "MSAR-med school" online, and it will help you explore various med schools in one place.
Lastly, keep exploring extracurricular and leadership opportunities. Make sure to keep a journal or record of your activities. This will make it easier to refer to them later for essays and interviews.
Charlotte Geiger
Public Health Science Student at the University of Maryland
150
Answers
Sykesville, Maryland
Updated
Charlotte’s Answer
Hi Arpi,
Medical school applications are a multi-step process that typically starts about a year before you plan to attend. The first step is submitting a primary application through a centralized system like AMCAS for MD programs, AACOMAS for DO programs, or TMDSAS for Texas schools. This application includes your GPA, MCAT scores, a personal statement, work and activities, and letters of recommendation. Once submitted, schools may send you secondary applications, which involve more essays about why you’re a good fit for their program. If your application stands out, you’ll be invited for interviews, which can vary from traditional one-on-one formats to Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs). After interviews, schools will notify you of acceptance, rejection, or waitlist status, and you’ll need to commit to one school by April 30 if holding multiple acceptances. As a sophomore, now is the perfect time to start preparing by focusing on maintaining a high GPA, especially in science courses, and getting involved in extracurriculars like pre-med clubs, volunteering, or research. Building strong relationships with professors and healthcare professionals early on will help you secure strong letters of recommendation. Start gaining clinical experience by shadowing doctors or working in healthcare settings. It’s also helpful to familiarize yourself with the MCAT content areas and plan to take the test by your junior year. Keeping a journal of meaningful experiences can make writing your personal statement easier later on. By preparing early and staying organized, you’ll be in a great position when it’s time to apply!
Medical school applications are a multi-step process that typically starts about a year before you plan to attend. The first step is submitting a primary application through a centralized system like AMCAS for MD programs, AACOMAS for DO programs, or TMDSAS for Texas schools. This application includes your GPA, MCAT scores, a personal statement, work and activities, and letters of recommendation. Once submitted, schools may send you secondary applications, which involve more essays about why you’re a good fit for their program. If your application stands out, you’ll be invited for interviews, which can vary from traditional one-on-one formats to Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs). After interviews, schools will notify you of acceptance, rejection, or waitlist status, and you’ll need to commit to one school by April 30 if holding multiple acceptances. As a sophomore, now is the perfect time to start preparing by focusing on maintaining a high GPA, especially in science courses, and getting involved in extracurriculars like pre-med clubs, volunteering, or research. Building strong relationships with professors and healthcare professionals early on will help you secure strong letters of recommendation. Start gaining clinical experience by shadowing doctors or working in healthcare settings. It’s also helpful to familiarize yourself with the MCAT content areas and plan to take the test by your junior year. Keeping a journal of meaningful experiences can make writing your personal statement easier later on. By preparing early and staying organized, you’ll be in a great position when it’s time to apply!
Madison Buchman
doctor
160
Answers
West Hartford
Updated
Madison’s Answer
There are several components to medical school applications. First thing to note is there are three major types of medical schools: MD/DO/international programs. These are typically done on different application services so consider ahead of time what those applications require, what the timeline for applications/interviews/MCAT scores is/what pre-recs they need. Plan ahead for those timelines. Look at their websites and consider which ones you are interested in most and even talk to students/advisors at different types of medical schools.
For planning to apply: most people will apply to medical school at the beginning of their last (usually 4th) year of college and they interview/go through the application process throughout that year. This is UNLESS you want/need to take a gap year. What this means is you need to know which pre-rec classes are REQUIRED for your medical school applications (these can be found online, for MD applications this is through AMCAS, DO appplicaions through ACOMAS; these names may have changed in the years since I applied). But those websites list the REQUIRED courses. You need to make sure your specific college has these classes, how many hours will those courses take/how much intense studying and time will you need and plan ahead. Remember each semester you want to have a REASONABLE course load because you want time to study, have self care time, and time for outside activities. Remember you also may need to take summer classes in order to reach this timeline as well. Your college/major will likely have a set advisor (s) who can also help you organize your class schedule/timeline to fit your personal goals/needs each semester.
Most importantly getting the pre-med requirement courses which can be a “pre med” major or can be done in any major where you add those classes in! You may want to do some medical research, find a medical or pre med club you can join and volunteer or have leadership roles in, maybe shadow local doctors, consider internships or volunteer positions at a hospital or clinic, maybe become a CNA or a scribe
Hope this helps!
Madison
For planning to apply: most people will apply to medical school at the beginning of their last (usually 4th) year of college and they interview/go through the application process throughout that year. This is UNLESS you want/need to take a gap year. What this means is you need to know which pre-rec classes are REQUIRED for your medical school applications (these can be found online, for MD applications this is through AMCAS, DO appplicaions through ACOMAS; these names may have changed in the years since I applied). But those websites list the REQUIRED courses. You need to make sure your specific college has these classes, how many hours will those courses take/how much intense studying and time will you need and plan ahead. Remember each semester you want to have a REASONABLE course load because you want time to study, have self care time, and time for outside activities. Remember you also may need to take summer classes in order to reach this timeline as well. Your college/major will likely have a set advisor (s) who can also help you organize your class schedule/timeline to fit your personal goals/needs each semester.
Most importantly getting the pre-med requirement courses which can be a “pre med” major or can be done in any major where you add those classes in! You may want to do some medical research, find a medical or pre med club you can join and volunteer or have leadership roles in, maybe shadow local doctors, consider internships or volunteer positions at a hospital or clinic, maybe become a CNA or a scribe
Hope this helps!
Madison
Dr H
Dr. H's Research
1464
Answers
Australia
Updated
Dr’s Answer
Hi there,
Great question, Arpi! You’re super smart to start thinking about this early, sophomore year is the perfect time to lay a strong foundation. Here's what I can tell you to how to approach med school prep in college.
1. Focus on your GPA.
Your science and overall GPA matter a lot. Stay on top of your classes, especially biology, chemistry, physics, and math (often called the "pre-med prerequisites"). Don’t overload yourself, but aim for consistency and upward trends.
2. Build relationships with professors.
You’ll need strong recommendation letters down the road, so try to go to office hours and really engage in your classes. Let professors get to know you beyond just your grades.
3. Get involved in extracurriculars.
Think quality over quantity: shadow a doctor, volunteer at clinics, join a pre-med or health-related club, or even get involved in research if you can. What matters most is that you show genuine interest in helping people and understand what a career in medicine involves.
4. Keep track of everything.
Start a document or spreadsheet where you log experiences, hours, reflections—this will save you a massive headache when you apply and write your personal statement.
5. Learn about the MCAT.
You don’t have to start studying just yet, but it’s good to be aware of what it covers so you can plan your classes wisely. Most people start prepping in junior year. But this may not be a must for you to take depending on your college's requirements.
And most importantly, don’t forget to take care of yourself. Burnout is real always, and med schools want well-rounded, resilient people and not robots with perfect resumes.
Rememebr buddy, you’ve got time, and asking now shows you’re already gonna crush us as long you keep that dedication up. Feel free to ask anytime you got a curiosity hitting. Good luck out there.
Great question, Arpi! You’re super smart to start thinking about this early, sophomore year is the perfect time to lay a strong foundation. Here's what I can tell you to how to approach med school prep in college.
1. Focus on your GPA.
Your science and overall GPA matter a lot. Stay on top of your classes, especially biology, chemistry, physics, and math (often called the "pre-med prerequisites"). Don’t overload yourself, but aim for consistency and upward trends.
2. Build relationships with professors.
You’ll need strong recommendation letters down the road, so try to go to office hours and really engage in your classes. Let professors get to know you beyond just your grades.
3. Get involved in extracurriculars.
Think quality over quantity: shadow a doctor, volunteer at clinics, join a pre-med or health-related club, or even get involved in research if you can. What matters most is that you show genuine interest in helping people and understand what a career in medicine involves.
4. Keep track of everything.
Start a document or spreadsheet where you log experiences, hours, reflections—this will save you a massive headache when you apply and write your personal statement.
5. Learn about the MCAT.
You don’t have to start studying just yet, but it’s good to be aware of what it covers so you can plan your classes wisely. Most people start prepping in junior year. But this may not be a must for you to take depending on your college's requirements.
And most importantly, don’t forget to take care of yourself. Burnout is real always, and med schools want well-rounded, resilient people and not robots with perfect resumes.
Rememebr buddy, you’ve got time, and asking now shows you’re already gonna crush us as long you keep that dedication up. Feel free to ask anytime you got a curiosity hitting. Good luck out there.