3 answers
Shina
Student
Columbia
2
Questions
Asked
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How to get into medical school?
I really need to get into medical school but i need to know the process and steps needed for me to get into medical school and i was hoping to get the answer to that.
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3 answers
Anuj Gupta
Software Engineering
330
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Anuj’s Answer
Getting into medical school is a marathon that requires careful planning, academic excellence, and a genuine commitment to serving others. While the process is highly competitive, breaking it down into structured phases makes it entirely manageable.
Here is the step-by-step process to navigate your way into medical school:
### **Phase 1: Academic Preparation (Undergraduate Years)**
You do not need to major in "Pre-Med" (most universities don't even offer it as an official major), but you must complete specific prerequisite courses required by medical schools.
* **Complete the Core Prerequisites:** No matter your major (Biology, Chemistry, or even English), you must take foundational classes, typically including:
* 1 year of General Biology with labs
* 1 year of General Chemistry with labs
* 1 year of Organic Chemistry with labs
* 1 year of Physics with labs
* Courses in Biochemistry, English, and Statistics/Calculus
* **Maintain a Competitive GPA:** Your Science GPA and Cumulative GPA are critical filtering metrics for admissions committees. Aim to keep your GPA as high as possible (ideally $3.6 - 3.8+$).
---
### **Phase 2: Clinical and Extracurricular Experience**
Good grades are not enough. Medical schools want proof that you know what being a doctor actually entails and that you care about patient care.
* **Clinical Experience (Direct Patient Contact):** Work or volunteer in an environment where you are interacting with patients. Common paths include working as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Medical Scribe, or volunteering in hospital wards.
* **Physician Shadowing:** Spend time observing doctors in action. Aim to shadow 2 to 3 different specialties ($e.g.$, primary care, surgery) for a total of 50+ hours to show you understand the realities of the profession.
* **Research and Community Service:** Show a dedication to helping others by volunteering with underserved communities, food banks, or shelters. Participating in scientific or clinical research labs is also highly valued, though not strictly mandatory for all schools.
---
### **Phase 3: Conquering the MCAT**
The **Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)** is a standardized, 7.5-hour exam that tests your knowledge of physical/biological sciences, behavioral sciences, and critical reading.
* **When to take it:** Typically during the spring of your Junior year of college (or the year before you intend to matriculate).
* **Preparation:** Dedicate 3 to 6 months of intense study using practice exams, question banks, and content review. A competitive score is generally $511$ or higher.
---
### **Phase 4: The Application Cycle**
The application process begins nearly a full year before you actually start medical school. Most US schools use centralized application services like **AMCAS** (for MD programs) or **AACOMAS** (for DO programs).
* **Primary Application (May/June):** Submit your transcripts, MCAT score, a list of your activities/hours, and a compelling **Personal Statement** explaining *why* you want to be a doctor. You will also need 3 to 5 **Letters of Recommendation** from professors and physicians.
* **Secondary Applications (July/August):** Individual schools will send you custom essay prompts. Turn these around quickly (ideally within two weeks).
* **Interviews (September–March):** If a school likes your application, they will invite you for an interview (often using the Multiple Mini Interview, or MMI, format).
---
Here is the step-by-step process to navigate your way into medical school:
### **Phase 1: Academic Preparation (Undergraduate Years)**
You do not need to major in "Pre-Med" (most universities don't even offer it as an official major), but you must complete specific prerequisite courses required by medical schools.
* **Complete the Core Prerequisites:** No matter your major (Biology, Chemistry, or even English), you must take foundational classes, typically including:
* 1 year of General Biology with labs
* 1 year of General Chemistry with labs
* 1 year of Organic Chemistry with labs
* 1 year of Physics with labs
* Courses in Biochemistry, English, and Statistics/Calculus
* **Maintain a Competitive GPA:** Your Science GPA and Cumulative GPA are critical filtering metrics for admissions committees. Aim to keep your GPA as high as possible (ideally $3.6 - 3.8+$).
---
### **Phase 2: Clinical and Extracurricular Experience**
Good grades are not enough. Medical schools want proof that you know what being a doctor actually entails and that you care about patient care.
* **Clinical Experience (Direct Patient Contact):** Work or volunteer in an environment where you are interacting with patients. Common paths include working as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Medical Scribe, or volunteering in hospital wards.
* **Physician Shadowing:** Spend time observing doctors in action. Aim to shadow 2 to 3 different specialties ($e.g.$, primary care, surgery) for a total of 50+ hours to show you understand the realities of the profession.
* **Research and Community Service:** Show a dedication to helping others by volunteering with underserved communities, food banks, or shelters. Participating in scientific or clinical research labs is also highly valued, though not strictly mandatory for all schools.
---
### **Phase 3: Conquering the MCAT**
The **Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)** is a standardized, 7.5-hour exam that tests your knowledge of physical/biological sciences, behavioral sciences, and critical reading.
* **When to take it:** Typically during the spring of your Junior year of college (or the year before you intend to matriculate).
* **Preparation:** Dedicate 3 to 6 months of intense study using practice exams, question banks, and content review. A competitive score is generally $511$ or higher.
---
### **Phase 4: The Application Cycle**
The application process begins nearly a full year before you actually start medical school. Most US schools use centralized application services like **AMCAS** (for MD programs) or **AACOMAS** (for DO programs).
* **Primary Application (May/June):** Submit your transcripts, MCAT score, a list of your activities/hours, and a compelling **Personal Statement** explaining *why* you want to be a doctor. You will also need 3 to 5 **Letters of Recommendation** from professors and physicians.
* **Secondary Applications (July/August):** Individual schools will send you custom essay prompts. Turn these around quickly (ideally within two weeks).
* **Interviews (September–March):** If a school likes your application, they will invite you for an interview (often using the Multiple Mini Interview, or MMI, format).
---
Juney Dijkstra
Business Development / Production / Project Management
48
Answers
Hilversum, North Holland, Netherlands
Updated
Juney’s Answer
Hi Shina! While I have no insight into medical schools, my understanding is that application processes (and especially for medical degrees) vary heavily depending on where you're based -- between countries, but possibly even between schools and between degrees. In addition, your financial circumstances may play a role as well, unless you're able to get a scholarship of sorts.
Beyond that, there's a good chance it will involve deep self reflection and preparatory study & project work to show -- to yourself and to a potential review committee -- the 'why' for your application and the foundation you'd be bringing if you were selected.
A start would be to form an idea of which degree you'd want to pursue, and which geographies & schools fall within your consideration.
Beyond that, there's a good chance it will involve deep self reflection and preparatory study & project work to show -- to yourself and to a potential review committee -- the 'why' for your application and the foundation you'd be bringing if you were selected.
A start would be to form an idea of which degree you'd want to pursue, and which geographies & schools fall within your consideration.
Gustavo Calzada
Solution Architect
2
Answers
Guadalajara
Updated
Gustavo’s Answer
Hi Shina!
First, I want to congratulate you for your strong interest in fulfilling your professional goals. From the academic perspective, I'd think that one of the first steps is to contact the school or schools you are interested in. Each school may have its own process and requirements and is important that you compare between them. For this, my advise would be to have a list of the medical schools you are aiming to. Gather all information and look for admission processes. This will give you a clear view of what is required and important dates you need to consider.
This also will provide you the guidance on what evaluations you'll need to prepare for and prioritize your study.
Lastly, I would strongly advise, as you are able, to get a mentor from medical areas to guide you in your preparation process.
I hope this helps you. Best luck!
First, I want to congratulate you for your strong interest in fulfilling your professional goals. From the academic perspective, I'd think that one of the first steps is to contact the school or schools you are interested in. Each school may have its own process and requirements and is important that you compare between them. For this, my advise would be to have a list of the medical schools you are aiming to. Gather all information and look for admission processes. This will give you a clear view of what is required and important dates you need to consider.
This also will provide you the guidance on what evaluations you'll need to prepare for and prioritize your study.
Lastly, I would strongly advise, as you are able, to get a mentor from medical areas to guide you in your preparation process.
I hope this helps you. Best luck!