Medical School Requirements
Dreaming of becoming a doctor is exciting, but the road to medical school can feel overwhelming. If you’re a pre-med student, understanding the requirements for medical school is essential to set yourself up for success. The admissions team at UAG School of Medicine is here to break down everything you need to know about applying to top institutions. We can explain how medical school differs from college and how to meet the medical school requirements.
How Is Medical School Different from College?
The transition from college to medical school is a major leap, and many students are surprised by just how different the two experiences are. Nevertheless, it’s nothing you can’t handle with dedication and perseverance. Here’s how medical school will be different from undergrad:
- Intensity of Study — While college lectures may only take a few hours of your day, medical school often involves full days of lectures, labs, and clinical practice. It’s a lot of work, and self-discipline will be a necessity.
- Structure and Focus — Medical school tends to be more structured than undergraduate programs. Once you decide on a specialty, the curriculum is often fixed.
- Grading and Competitiveness — Grades in college determine eligibility for medical school, but once you’re in, it’s less about competing with classmates and more about meeting high professional standards. Exams become the focus, as passing them is crucial to advancing your career.
What Are the Requirements for Medical School?
Medical school admissions requirements vary slightly by school and program but are generally the same. You’ll need to meet the following requirements to succeed as an applicant:
GPA Requirements
Obviously, the better your grades are, the better your chances of being accepted into medical schools. However, medical schools don’t always post their minimum GPA requirement. Even less prestigious institutions won’t accept below a 2.5, though, so it always pays to keep your GPA as high as possible. When deciding where to apply, check medical school acceptance rates to get an idea of how you might measure up.
Keep an eye on more than just your overall GPA. If you have a 3.8, but your science GPA is only 3.0, medical schools might conclude you can’t handle the rigorous coursework required for most medical programs. On occasion, students with low GPAs get into medical school, but this only happens because of extremely strong performance in other aspects of the appliance.
Educational Prerequisites
Pre-medical school study is critical for admission into a top-tier medical school. You don’t necessarily need to be a pre-med major in order to be admitted. While a major in the sciences or healthcare field is certainly helpful, all majors are eligible to apply for medical school. As a general rule, we recommend choosing a major you enjoy. Studying something you are passionate about will likely lead to higher grades, stronger performance, and better chances of admission to graduate schools.
Although a specific major is not required, you will need to have certain courses under your belt to be considered for medical school. Make sure to have the following courses on your undergraduate transcript:
- Biology with Lab (two semesters)
- Organic Chemistry with Lab (two semesters)
- Inorganic Chemistry with Lab (two semesters)
- Physics with Lab (two semesters)
- English (two semesters)
- Mathematics (two semesters)
*Keep in mind that specific programs might have additional course requirements for admission.
MCAT Scores
The grueling MCAT exam requires seven and a half hours of focus, but the test is essential to medical school admission requirements. In fact, your MCAT score, and your GPA are probably the top two factors in determining whether you are accepted into medical school. As you prepare for the test, don’t underestimate its difficulty. We recommend taking the following steps to set yourself up for success:
- Take MCAT diagnostic tests to identify which areas need the most work.
- Review concepts from biology, psychology, chemistry, and physics.
- Create a study schedule to keep yourself on track.
- If you score less than 494 (the lowest acceptable score for schools with minimal admissions requirements), plan to retake the exam to ensure a competitive application.
Clinical Experience
Medical schools actively look for students with hands-on healthcare experience, as it shows a genuine commitment to the field and an understanding of its challenges. Gaining this experience can involve shadowing physicians to observe their daily routines and patient interactions, working as a medical assistant to get a closer look at clinical settings, volunteering at hospitals to contribute to patient care, or taking on a role as a medical scribe to learn about documentation and workflows. These opportunities not only help you build valuable skills but also demonstrate your ability to communicate with patients and other providers.
Extracurriculars
Your extracurriculars show potential medical schools what you bring to the table beyond academics. They provide an opportunity to demonstrate who you are and why you would make a great doctor. Admissions committees want to see your commitment to medicine, understanding of healthcare delivery, interest in serving diverse populations, and, above all, leadership. Community service projects and research experience are particularly valuable for inclusion in your application.
Letters of Recommendation
Letters of recommendation are a common part of medical school admission requirements,
but the number you need will vary based on the school. Ultimately, the quality of the letters is more important than the quantity. Generally speaking, you should attempt to get letters from at least two science professors and one non-science professor. Letters from supervisors and extracurricular advisors are also useful, as they can outline your strengths and performance under pressure.
Choose wisely when deciding who you will ask for these letters, and make sure to ask people with whom you have formed strong relationships. Give each person at least a month’s notice to allow time to craft an excellent letter.
Secondary Applications
After submitting a primary application and passing a screening process, you may need to complete a school-specific application. Secondary applications are labor-intensive, often containing several prompts that must be answered in essay form. It can be helpful to pre-write essays using prompts from prior years to decrease your workload once you begin receiving secondary applications.
Assessments Beyond MCAT
While the MCAT is the standard exam that all medical school applicants must take, other assessments may be necessary as well. Depending on the school you apply to, you may need to take the following tests:
- Casper Test — This exam involves text and video-based scenarios centered on ethical dilemmas. You only have five minutes to respond to each scenario, so we encourage refreshing your knowledge of medical ethics to prepare for the exam. The entire test takes about 110 minutes.
- Snapshot — A second component to the Casper test, Snapshot is a recorded interview that gives you the opportunity to explain your motivation for entering the medical field. This 10-to-15-minute session also provides a chance to showcase your communication skills.
- Duet — The final component of this exam series, Duet determines what you value in a medical school and how your preferences align with a particular program. This portion of the assessment is untimed.
Interviews
Receiving interview invitations early in the process indicates that you have a good chance of being accepted into the medical school. You may be asked for a traditional interview or multiple mini-interviews (MMIs). When you are preparing, make sure to cover skills for each style of interview and rehearse the types of questions you expect from the specific school interviewing you.
