Medical school applicants must meet Medical College Admission Test® (MCAT®) requirements and gain clinical experience. They must also work to obtain strong recommendation letters, write solid personal essays, and more.
With so many moving pieces, the journey to preparing for medical school may feel overwhelming. Thankfully, med school prerequisites can be divided into smaller, more manageable categories.
Prerequisites for medical school can be divided into three groups: academic, clinical experience, and required documents
Those interested in applying to medical school must first earn their bachelor’s degree. Although pre-med students often major in hard sciences such as chemistry or biology, this is not a requirement. Pre-med students can pursue any major as long as they complete their pre-medical coursework.
Pre-med students who complete majors outside of science can bring a unique skillset to their careers in medicine. Foreign language majors, such as Spanish, could bridge the gap between physicians and non-English speaking patients. Psychology or behavioral science majors can improve a student’s critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills.
Medical school applicants without pre-med coursework will need to complete this coursework prior to applying. While specific course requirements will vary based on the school, common pre-med courses include:
Students should focus on maintaining high grades especially in their pre-medical coursework. This can improve a student’s GPA, deepen their scientific understanding, and prepare them for the MCAT®.
The MCAT® is an admission requirement for most U.S. medical schools. It helps medical schools determine how prepared applicants are for their program by testing them in four areas:
The total exam score is between the ranges of 472-528 while each section is scored on a scale of 118-132. Earning a high total score on the MCAT® can strengthen a medical school application and make an applicant more competitive.
Each section is designed to test a student’s scientific understanding, ability to critically analyze information, and make logical connections. Including breaks, the MCAT® takes roughly 7 hours and 30 minutes to complete.
The MCAT® aims to test how well test takers can apply the scientific method to various, basic scientific principles. Due to the wide range of topics covered, test takers should give themselves ample time to prepare. We recommend students begin preparing for the MCAT® at the beginning of freshman year in undergraduate studies.
Clinical experience can be gathered through paid work, volunteer work, research, shadowing or undergoing a mentorship. We recommend students aim to build a diverse set of experiences for their application. This showcases a student’s ability to adapt to changing conditions and develop diverse perspectives.
Applicants with a diverse set of experiences demonstrate a well-rounded approach to medicine. It helps students develop empathy, cultural sensitivities, a broader understanding of healthcare and work with a diverse range of patients. This can be invaluable when creating compassionate and skilled future physicians.
Required documents for a medical school application include a personal statement and recommendation letters. Those applying through the American Medical College Application Service® (AMCAS®) must submit a personal statement, sometimes called a primary essay. This statement is 5,300 characters including spaces which is roughly 750 words.
In addition, applicants will need to submit official letters of recommendation, an official transcript, and their MCAT® scores. MCAT® scores are uploaded automatically to the AMCAS® once they are released.
Fulfilling medical school prerequisites ensures applicants are academically prepared for medical school programs. At Ross University School of Medicine, (Ross Med) prerequisite classes for our Doctor of Medicine (MD) program include:
Those interested in applying to Ross Med must also submit:
At Ross Med, we believe in a holistic admissions process. Your grades and MCAT scores only tell us part of your story. Your pursuits and interests outside the classroom, and your passion to make a difference help communicate your capability as future medical student.
Ross Med does not have a specific GPA requirement or minimum MCAT score. Holistic admissions mean including all relevant information about you as an applicant. So, making decisions with less information — in this case, two fewer data points — isn’t holistic. An MCAT score or GPA is just one of the ways we try to avoid missing an applicant with great potential and to be fairer and more inclusive when making admissions decisions.
The prerequisites for medical school aim to provide the background information required for medical studies. With proper planning and hard work, students can confidently build their medical school application. We recommend applicants begin building their medical school application early to have ample time to gather the right documents.
Want to learn more about Ross Med’s MD program requirements? Visit our website or submit this form for more information.
The information and material contained in this article and on this website are for informational purposes only and should not be considered, or used in place of, professional medical advice. Please speak with a licensed medical provider for specific questions or concerns. Ross Med is not responsible for the information maintained or provided on third-party websites or external links.
