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What AP courses and electives should I be taking if I want to be a doctor/go to medical-school?
I'm a sophmore in highschool and want to go pre med. I want to take courses to help me get into this field. I need help on what I should be taking, because my school offers a lot.
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Vianne’s Answer
Hi! Focus on building a strong science foundation without overwhelming yourself. The most important APs for someone thinking about medical school are AP Biology and AP Chemistry, since those are core subjects you’ll see again in college. If your school offers AP Bio, that’s probably the best place to start. AP Chem is also great, but only take it when you feel ready because it can be intense. Physics matters too, but you don’t need to rush into the hardest version. AP Physics 1 is totally acceptable in high school and still shows you’re on a serious science track. One AP science per year is normal and honestly the smartest move.
Math and English matter more than people admit. AP Statistics is super useful for medicine because doctors constantly work with data, research, and studies. AP Calculus AB is also a solid choice, but you don’t need BC unless math is already your thing. For English, AP English Language is actually a great pre-med class because it teaches you how to read dense material and write clearly, which is huge for college and the MCAT later on. AP Psychology is another really good option if your school has it. It shows you care about people and behavior, not just labs and equations, and it’s genuinely helpful for patient care.
The biggest piece of advice I’d give is don’t overload yourself just to look impressive. Colleges would much rather see you do well in challenging classes than struggle through a million APs. Taking honors classes, anatomy and physiology, health science electives, or research classes can be just as meaningful if they fit you better. Pre-med is a long journey, and high school is about setting yourself up to succeed long-term, not burning out early. If you challenge yourself, keep your grades strong, and take classes that actually interest you, you’ll be in a really good position.
Math and English matter more than people admit. AP Statistics is super useful for medicine because doctors constantly work with data, research, and studies. AP Calculus AB is also a solid choice, but you don’t need BC unless math is already your thing. For English, AP English Language is actually a great pre-med class because it teaches you how to read dense material and write clearly, which is huge for college and the MCAT later on. AP Psychology is another really good option if your school has it. It shows you care about people and behavior, not just labs and equations, and it’s genuinely helpful for patient care.
The biggest piece of advice I’d give is don’t overload yourself just to look impressive. Colleges would much rather see you do well in challenging classes than struggle through a million APs. Taking honors classes, anatomy and physiology, health science electives, or research classes can be just as meaningful if they fit you better. Pre-med is a long journey, and high school is about setting yourself up to succeed long-term, not burning out early. If you challenge yourself, keep your grades strong, and take classes that actually interest you, you’ll be in a really good position.
Thanks for the help.
Olivia
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Andrew’s Answer
Hi Olivia! It is great that you are already thinking about how to build a good foundation, even before college. If you know you want to become a doctor and go to medical school, you should focus on taking strong science, math, and communication classes in high school while keeping a balanced schedule. The most helpful AP courses are AP Biology, AP Chemistry, and AP Physics because they prepare you for the science classes required in college for the pre-med major, as well as the MCAT (medical school admission test). AP Calculus and AP Statistics are also very important since math and data analysis are used often in medicine and research. Taking AP English Language or Literature will help you build strong reading and writing skills, which are essential for medical school and the CARS section of the MCAT, and AP Psychology is especially useful because it relates directly to understanding patients and behavior. If your school offers electives like Anatomy and Physiology, Medical Terminology, or Health Sciences, those are great choices as well. Along with classes, volunteering in healthcare settings, joining science or health clubs, and shadowing a doctor can help you explore the field and ensure that medicine is the right fit for you!