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What subjects in school help prepare you for a medical career?
I am a high school student who is interested in medical. I do science classes like ap biology and honors chemistry. I want to know what classes I should take, what activities or volunteering might help, and what steps I should start preparing for now so I can study medicine in the future.
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Rafael’s Answer
Hi Ngoc, great question and you're already on the right track with AP Biology and Honors Chemistry! From my own experience, having a strong foundation in science and math-heavy subjects really sets you up for success in any rigorous field. My Bachelor in Engineering required a heavy dose of math, statistics, and analytical problem-solving, which are the same kinds of skills you'll need in pre-med and medical school . I'd also recommend adding classes like AP Statistics, AP Physics, and even AP Psychology since they all connect to medical concepts like biostatistics, biomechanics, and understanding patient behavior. Beyond classes, look for volunteering at local hospitals or clinics, shadowing doctors, or joining health-related clubs at your school because hands-on experience matters a lot. Something I can speak to from my own path is the value of earning certifications and staying curious, for example I picked up credentials and in a similar way you could pursue things like a CPR/First Aid certification or online courses in anatomy and public health to show your commitment early on. I also did a semester abroad which broadened my perspective and adaptability , and medical schools love to see that kind of cultural competency. So keep pushing in those science classes, start volunteering in healthcare settings, look into summer research or pre-med programs. I hope this helps!
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Soni’s Answer
Hi Ngoc,
That’s great that you’re already thinking about medicine—and you’re off to a strong start with AP Biology and Honors Chemistry.
Some other classes that could help you prepare you for a medical career:
- Physics (helps later with problem‑solving and understanding how the body works)
- Math (especially algebra, statistics, and calculus if available)
- English and writing classes (doctors write and communicate constantly—with patients and other professionals)
- Psychology or sociology (very helpful for understanding patients and healthcare systems)
Strong communication and critical-thinking skills matter just as much as science!
Some activities and volunteering you could look into include:
- Volunteering at hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, or community health organizations
- Shadowing a doctor or healthcare professional if possible (even a few days is helpful!)
- Joining or starting a health-related or science club
- Volunteering in non‑medical community service (this still shows empathy and leadership)
- Tutoring or mentoring younger students
What matters most is consistency and choosing activities you genuinely care about!
Steps you can start now
- Keep building a strong academic foundation, especially in science and math
- Explore different healthcare roles (doctor, nurse, PA, public health, research—you don’t have to decide now)
- Develop time management and study skills
- Practice talking to adults and asking questions—that’s a real skill in medicine
- Take care of your well‑being and avoid burnout early
One important thing to remember:
It’s completely okay if your interests change. Many people who become doctors didn’t decide until college—or later. Right now, your goal is to explore, learn, and build good habits, not to have everything figured out. If you stay curious, work hard, and keep helping others, you’ll be setting yourself up well for a future in medicine—whatever path you ultimately choose!
That’s great that you’re already thinking about medicine—and you’re off to a strong start with AP Biology and Honors Chemistry.
Some other classes that could help you prepare you for a medical career:
- Physics (helps later with problem‑solving and understanding how the body works)
- Math (especially algebra, statistics, and calculus if available)
- English and writing classes (doctors write and communicate constantly—with patients and other professionals)
- Psychology or sociology (very helpful for understanding patients and healthcare systems)
Strong communication and critical-thinking skills matter just as much as science!
Some activities and volunteering you could look into include:
- Volunteering at hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, or community health organizations
- Shadowing a doctor or healthcare professional if possible (even a few days is helpful!)
- Joining or starting a health-related or science club
- Volunteering in non‑medical community service (this still shows empathy and leadership)
- Tutoring or mentoring younger students
What matters most is consistency and choosing activities you genuinely care about!
Steps you can start now
- Keep building a strong academic foundation, especially in science and math
- Explore different healthcare roles (doctor, nurse, PA, public health, research—you don’t have to decide now)
- Develop time management and study skills
- Practice talking to adults and asking questions—that’s a real skill in medicine
- Take care of your well‑being and avoid burnout early
One important thing to remember:
It’s completely okay if your interests change. Many people who become doctors didn’t decide until college—or later. Right now, your goal is to explore, learn, and build good habits, not to have everything figured out. If you stay curious, work hard, and keep helping others, you’ll be setting yourself up well for a future in medicine—whatever path you ultimately choose!
Updated
Rita’s Answer
This is a difficult question.
My feeling is that medical schools often accept science majors so you need to take those classes. At the same time, I've heard of several people being accepted to medical schools to had a different major (History, English) probably because they were different. I feel that the science classes helped me maybe the first few months of medical school and that's it.
Looking back, what would have helped me in medical school is:
1. Getting a job that deals with people. It's good to learn how to deal with people.
2. Working as a scribe-You are in the room with the doctor. You see what s/he does. You see how they deal with difficult patients. You learn the language of medicine. The medical students that rotated with me who worked as a scribe were so much sharper and polished. Were they smarter? Probably not but because they spent two years as a scribe, they understood the language, they heard the common disease states, etc. Medical school would be so much easier because they have already been exposed to medicine.
Unfortunately, I'm not sure if this will get you into medical school. Perhaps if you let the school know that you already worked as a scribe and know the work a doctor does, you may be more attractive.
I did the traditional things to get into medical school. I was a molecular biology major. I did research during the summer. I volunteered in the hospitals. I was a copy editor in yearbook. The most important things are your grades and MCAT scores. If you don't have high scores, the rest probably won't make much of a difference.
My feeling is that medical schools often accept science majors so you need to take those classes. At the same time, I've heard of several people being accepted to medical schools to had a different major (History, English) probably because they were different. I feel that the science classes helped me maybe the first few months of medical school and that's it.
Looking back, what would have helped me in medical school is:
1. Getting a job that deals with people. It's good to learn how to deal with people.
2. Working as a scribe-You are in the room with the doctor. You see what s/he does. You see how they deal with difficult patients. You learn the language of medicine. The medical students that rotated with me who worked as a scribe were so much sharper and polished. Were they smarter? Probably not but because they spent two years as a scribe, they understood the language, they heard the common disease states, etc. Medical school would be so much easier because they have already been exposed to medicine.
Unfortunately, I'm not sure if this will get you into medical school. Perhaps if you let the school know that you already worked as a scribe and know the work a doctor does, you may be more attractive.
I did the traditional things to get into medical school. I was a molecular biology major. I did research during the summer. I volunteered in the hospitals. I was a copy editor in yearbook. The most important things are your grades and MCAT scores. If you don't have high scores, the rest probably won't make much of a difference.
Updated
James’s Answer
In addition to continuing your science classes, be sure to study anything that you enjoy. A broad knowledge base and wide interests make you a more valuable candidate for medical school. Even more importantly, being happy is essential. You do that by making the time for healthy food, enough sleep, exercise, socialization, and fun. I think my love for sports and music were very helpful to my success and happiness as a physician. Yes, you do need to have good study habits as well. I think getting CPR and first aid training is a good start, and you might look into getting an EMT certification. Find opportunities to talk with, or better still, follow different members of in- and outpatient clinical teams so you get a better idea of what each job entails. As long as you are learning and growing, there is no wrong path.