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What requirements are needed to have the best chance at getting into Med school?

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Richard’s Answer

In the US, to apply to medical school, you need a bachelor's degree. Any 4-year university should suffice.

Pick a college that suits your personality and a major that interests you. You will need to get good grades in college in order to apply for medical school. At the medical school I attended, the average GPA is reported to be 3.85, so even one or two B's can hurt your chances of acceptance.

Aside from this, any major is acceptable as long as you complete the prerequisite courses.

Typical medical school prerequisites include:
Biology: Lecture – 4 semesters; Lab – 1 semester
General Chemistry: Lecture – 2 semesters; Lab – 1 semester
Organic Chemistry: Lecture – 2 semesters; Lab – 1 semester
Biochemistry: Lecture – 1 semester
General Physics: Lecture – 2 semesters; Lab – 1 semester
Math: Statistics – 1 semester
English: Rhetoric (Composition) and Literature – 2 semesters

Try to find opportunities to pursue research.

Volunteer at your local hospital or low-income clinic. Ask physicians, PAs or other clinical providers if you can shadow them.


During college study for and complete the MCAT. Devote an entire summer to studying for the MCAT and consider paying for a prep course if you can afford it.

My son used MCAT Complete 7-Book Subject Review 2019-2020: Online + Book + 3 Practice Tests (Kaplan Test Prep) Kaplan Test Prep
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It was about $140 and he achieved his goal score.

Apply to medical schools during your last year of college.
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Hanah’s Answer

Samantha,


CLINICAL EXPERIENCE. Scribe, shadow, and start speaking to physicians. One of the reasons why students don't get into medical school is their lack of clinical experience. How are the schools you are applying to going to know you are ready for the rigors of medical school if you have never shadowed or worked in a clinical setting. Also, how do you know you want to be a physician if you have never experience it. Aside from the schools pre-requisites, start honing in on your passions. This is your chance to try and sell yourself to school in an adult way, why and what you have done, and why you want to be a physician. You may need to cold call physicians and see if you can shadow, most are more than happy to have you, just don't be afraid to ask! I recommend scribing. It will get your foot in the door with great physicians (who would be more than happy to write your LOR) and expose you to a clinical setting you may have never seen before.


Good luck!

Hanah recommends the following next steps:

ScribeAmerica
Find a physician to shadow.
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Estelle’s Answer

Your major is not as important as your undergraduate grades, your MCAT score, your letters of reference, and your personal statements on your medical school application. For now, focus on finding a major that really interests you in college so that you will make great grades and get strong letters of recommendation from professors that recognize your potential. You will also need shadowing hours to document on you application.
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Rachel’s Answer

Major in whatever field interests you and will allow you to maintain an excellent GPA. I majored in Spanish literature and had no trouble with my med school applications. You do need to complete the pre-med requirements, preferably with A’s. These include at least a year of biology, 1 year inorganic chemistry, 1 year organic chemistry + labs, physics, calculus, and biochemistry. Your junior year, you will need to take an MCAT study course prior to taking the MCAT. With a solid GPA (3.8+) and MCAT score, you should be a competitive applicant.
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