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What can I do to prepare for college if i want to major medical?
I am currently a high school student interested in study medical. Right now I am taking classes like Ap biology and honors chem and I plan to take ap cal.
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Karin P.
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Karin’s Answer
Hi Ngoc,
It's great that you found an interest in a medical career. If you want to be a doctor, you need to go to medical school. If you want to be a nurse, you need to go to nursing school. There is also a vast number of other careers in healthcare that you might want to check out.
I'll give you advice how to become a medical doctor here:
In order to become a doctor, you first need to earn a bachelors degree (4 years) in any field. Next you take the MCAT before you can apply to medical school. Medical school is another 4 years and you'll earn your MD/DO. You then decide on a residency where you specialize and ultimately take the board exam for that specialty. So, it's a long journey, and each step is competitive. You'll need excellent grades and a high MCAT score as well as medical experience and volunteer hours.
Since you are still in high-school and contemplating your course choices, you should take all the science and math classes you can get (biology, chemistry, physics, math) to be well prepared for college. If your high-school offers classes related to health such as psychology or anatomy, you should take those as well. It's good that you are taking on challenging classes like AP to boost your GPA. You can also consider a dual enrollment program to earn college credits if it is available.
In order to get into a good undergraduate program and later into medical school, you also need to start getting experience in medical settings and volunteering in the community. People get medical experience in a variety of ways. You can look for shadowing opportunities if you want to consider different medical specialties. You can look for internships, volunteer opportunities or small jobs in e.g. hospitals or with doctors (even if it is just as a receptionist). There are also certifications that would allow you to work medical jobs while you are in school.
You can major in any field for your bachelors degree. Consider your interests, your career goals but also look at your undergraduate degree as a backup plan in case medical school doesn't happen (because life happens). Many students opt for a biology, chemistry or biochemistry major because it would cover most if not all of the science pre-requisites. Just be aware what the pre-requisites are and that, should you opt for a non-science major, you might need longer to graduate because you might need to take extra classes. Look up medical schools that you would consider and check their admission criteria and pre-requisites so you have the correct information. I left a link for Harvard medical school as an example below.
During your undergraduate studies, you should also get in more medical experience and (if possible) research experience. It doesn't have to be medical research, but being in any science department certainly helps to get involved in meaningful projects.
Before you can apply to medical school, you need to study for and take the MCAT. You can take the test during your junior or senior year. Many students also take a gap year after their bachelors to study for the MCAT and get some more work experience, either clinical or in research. If you opted for a non-science major, a postbac program to complete the science pre-requisites is an option.
If you get admitted to medical school, you'll study general medicine for 4 years. There is no need to know from the start which specialty you want to go for. The first 2 years are mostly classroom learning while the last 2 years are clinical and include rotations through different specialties. You'll then decide on a specialty that you want to pursue and apply for residency in that specialty hoping to "match".
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
https://hms.harvard.edu/education-admissions/md-program/admissions
https://hms.harvard.edu/education-admissions/md-program/admissions/preparing-apply
It's great that you found an interest in a medical career. If you want to be a doctor, you need to go to medical school. If you want to be a nurse, you need to go to nursing school. There is also a vast number of other careers in healthcare that you might want to check out.
I'll give you advice how to become a medical doctor here:
In order to become a doctor, you first need to earn a bachelors degree (4 years) in any field. Next you take the MCAT before you can apply to medical school. Medical school is another 4 years and you'll earn your MD/DO. You then decide on a residency where you specialize and ultimately take the board exam for that specialty. So, it's a long journey, and each step is competitive. You'll need excellent grades and a high MCAT score as well as medical experience and volunteer hours.
Since you are still in high-school and contemplating your course choices, you should take all the science and math classes you can get (biology, chemistry, physics, math) to be well prepared for college. If your high-school offers classes related to health such as psychology or anatomy, you should take those as well. It's good that you are taking on challenging classes like AP to boost your GPA. You can also consider a dual enrollment program to earn college credits if it is available.
In order to get into a good undergraduate program and later into medical school, you also need to start getting experience in medical settings and volunteering in the community. People get medical experience in a variety of ways. You can look for shadowing opportunities if you want to consider different medical specialties. You can look for internships, volunteer opportunities or small jobs in e.g. hospitals or with doctors (even if it is just as a receptionist). There are also certifications that would allow you to work medical jobs while you are in school.
You can major in any field for your bachelors degree. Consider your interests, your career goals but also look at your undergraduate degree as a backup plan in case medical school doesn't happen (because life happens). Many students opt for a biology, chemistry or biochemistry major because it would cover most if not all of the science pre-requisites. Just be aware what the pre-requisites are and that, should you opt for a non-science major, you might need longer to graduate because you might need to take extra classes. Look up medical schools that you would consider and check their admission criteria and pre-requisites so you have the correct information. I left a link for Harvard medical school as an example below.
During your undergraduate studies, you should also get in more medical experience and (if possible) research experience. It doesn't have to be medical research, but being in any science department certainly helps to get involved in meaningful projects.
Before you can apply to medical school, you need to study for and take the MCAT. You can take the test during your junior or senior year. Many students also take a gap year after their bachelors to study for the MCAT and get some more work experience, either clinical or in research. If you opted for a non-science major, a postbac program to complete the science pre-requisites is an option.
If you get admitted to medical school, you'll study general medicine for 4 years. There is no need to know from the start which specialty you want to go for. The first 2 years are mostly classroom learning while the last 2 years are clinical and include rotations through different specialties. You'll then decide on a specialty that you want to pursue and apply for residency in that specialty hoping to "match".
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Karin recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Rita’s Answer
To get into medical school, there are specific requirements in college. Most will major in science but it's not required. I believe the required classes are Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physics, Biology and maybe Calculus. Although these are required and you will be tested on these subjects on the MCAT, I personally do not feel that it will determine if it makes you a good doctor.
When you get into college, I would spend the summers trying to get a job as a medical scribe. With AI, these jobs may not be as prominent but I would even do it for free. You get to see what doctors do, learn the medical terminology, etc. The medical students who rotated with me who worked as scribes were way ahead of the game not because they were smarter but because they had already learned the terminology and the language of medicine. I also feel it's great to see how doctors deal with "difficult patients." I challenge you to start work when the doctor starts work, not when you are required to start work and leave when the doctor leaves. If this means, missing a scheduled meal, so be it. This is how your life will be as a doctor and if you don't like it now, you should not go into this field.
When you get into college, I would spend the summers trying to get a job as a medical scribe. With AI, these jobs may not be as prominent but I would even do it for free. You get to see what doctors do, learn the medical terminology, etc. The medical students who rotated with me who worked as scribes were way ahead of the game not because they were smarter but because they had already learned the terminology and the language of medicine. I also feel it's great to see how doctors deal with "difficult patients." I challenge you to start work when the doctor starts work, not when you are required to start work and leave when the doctor leaves. If this means, missing a scheduled meal, so be it. This is how your life will be as a doctor and if you don't like it now, you should not go into this field.
This was super helpful, thank you!
Ngoc
Updated
Vianne’s Answer
If you're thinking about majoring in a medical field, you're on the right path by taking classes like AP Biology, Honors Chemistry, and preparing for AP Calculus. These courses give you a strong base in science and critical thinking, which are key for healthcare majors. Try to focus on understanding the material and keeping your grades steady instead of taking on too many hard classes at once.
It's also great to get experience outside of school. Look for chances to volunteer at hospitals, clinics, or community health programs to see what working in healthcare is really like. Joining science clubs, taking part in STEM activities, or getting certifications like CPR can also help you explore your interests and strengthen your college applications. Even small experiences can help you decide if the medical field is right for you.
Lastly, learn about the different careers in medicine. Besides becoming a doctor, there are many options like nursing, public health, physician assistant programs, and medical lab science. Researching these can help you choose colleges with strong pre-health programs. Focus on building good study habits, staying curious, and getting involved in activities you truly enjoy, as colleges value growth, commitment, and passion just as much as academics.
It's also great to get experience outside of school. Look for chances to volunteer at hospitals, clinics, or community health programs to see what working in healthcare is really like. Joining science clubs, taking part in STEM activities, or getting certifications like CPR can also help you explore your interests and strengthen your college applications. Even small experiences can help you decide if the medical field is right for you.
Lastly, learn about the different careers in medicine. Besides becoming a doctor, there are many options like nursing, public health, physician assistant programs, and medical lab science. Researching these can help you choose colleges with strong pre-health programs. Focus on building good study habits, staying curious, and getting involved in activities you truly enjoy, as colleges value growth, commitment, and passion just as much as academics.
Thanks for the help.
Ngoc
Updated
TRAVIS’s Answer
You are on the right path. Keep taking as many AP and dual credit courses. Look into CLEP tests as well. This will give you many course credits before you even start college. You will save tons of money and time this way and be able to start your core health classes sooner.