How to Get into Medical School

Why did I list this step first? Because it's a lot easier to get into a medical school if you have fulfilled the specific requirements for that school, which might include being a resident of a particular state. This might affect your decision on where to attend college. Once you have selected a medical school, get a copy of the catalog (usually available online) and read the admission requirements. When you meet with your academic advisor, take the catalog with you. This will help you plan your schedule so that you will take the right courses at the right time.

The courses that are required for admission are called "prerequisite courses". They may or may not be the same courses that are required for your college degree, so pay attention to any differences. Also, you need to keep in mind the timing of the MCAT, which is a test you need to take in order to apply for medical school. MCAT scores are very important for your application because they demonstrate mastery of the fundamental science behind medicine. If you can, try to take general biology, college chemistry, college physics, organic chemistry, and biochemistry before before you take the MCAT. If you haven't taken these courses before you take the exam you'll be able to explain the low scores, but that won't really help you compete against other students.

This is advice you may not get from your academic advisor, but it's important! Take some time before you fill out the AMCAS application to shadow a medical professional in the field that interests you. Don't expect to get paid. This is valuable experience. Following or helping gives you a sense of what your intended career is really like. This experience will help your application immeasurably, plus you'll probably get one or two valuable letters of recommendation out of it.

The Medical College Admission Test or MCAT is a standardized test that is required for admission to US medical schools. The test is offered a lot more often that it used to be, but you still need to plan ahead to take it because you have to register in advance for the exam and because it takes about a month for your scores to get to the medical school of your choice. If you take the exam late in the application process, there is a chance your scores will hold up your application, which can keep you from getting admitted.

In addition to the required coursework and scores from the MCAT, most schools require the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) application, which is the actual application to med school. Filling out the AMCAS application is straightforward. Don't leave any question unanswered or blank. Pay special attention to the Personal Statement. Use this section to really sell yourself. If you have any negative aspects of your application, this is the place to explain them. However, the best use of this space is to explain why you are the student the school should accept. What makes you special? Why do you want to study medicine? Say it here! Fill out the AMCAS application as soon as you can because you want your application to be reviewed before all the spaces fill for the upcoming entering class.

At this point, you'll either get an immediate rejection or else you will be invited to the medical school for an interview. Be prepared for this interview. Dress comfortably, yet professionally. Don't be late. Expect to explain why you are interested in medicine and why the school should accept you. Use the interview to ask questions as well as answer them.