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Becoming a doctor is not an easy task. But whether you're just starting to research medical schools or are looking for a second opinion on information you already have, this guide will help you take the next steps.
There is no doubt that competition for entry into medical school is fierce, and for good reason. We expect the highest level of knowledge and support from our physicians and should only want the most knowledgeable, focused, and dedicated medical school graduates.
In this guide, you'll find everything you need to know to prepare for your first year of medical school. From completing your undergraduate studies to receiving your first acceptance letter, this month-by-month approach takes you through two years of preparation for medical school.
How to Prepare for Medical School: A Month-by-Month Guide
The formal application process for medical school begins in May of your junior year, although many who have always known they wanted to pursue a career in healthcare begin preparing on the first day of their freshman year.
It's okay if you're not. While you'll want to be strategic about entering medical school, you can wait until a year or two before receiving your bachelor's degree to begin planning, assuming you've focused on your studies and made connections during your first and second years , looked for internship opportunities, etc. and most importantly, kept your GPA high.
Your junior year is really the time to intensively prepare for admission to medical school.
See the GPAs of those admitted to US medical schools between 2018 and 2024.
August to December (junior year)
Health professions advisors advise students to first set a target start date for medical school and then plan their schedule around that date. If you plan to enroll in medical school immediately after graduation, your two-year schedule begins now.
At this point, you should work with a health advisor (if you haven't already) to create a plan and make sure you're on track to achieve your goals. This includes making sure you have the required science and pre-med courses in your course schedule. If not, you may be able to accommodate them in the fall semester, but it's better to know that now than later.
This is also the time to start studying for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT for short). The MCAT is offered almost every month of the year (January and March through September) and can be taken up to seven times. Pay attention to when colleges require your test results and see if you can take the tests early enough to give you time to retest if necessary. If you're not sure when you should test, ask yourself these three questions.
January to March (junior year)
If you haven't started studying for the MCAT yet, now is the time. MCAT scores are often the first factor checked by medical schools. Keep in mind that medical school applications typically begin in May and it takes at least 30 days for schools to receive your official results. This means that you must take the MCAT no later than March.
Midway through your junior year, you should also evaluate your experiences in community research or clinical internships. You will definitely need one or the other (preferably both) to demonstrate your experience in the medical field, your practical experience in the industry, and your participation in extracurricular activities. If you can make it during the school year, many clinics offer ongoing internship opportunities; Otherwise, focus on the opportunities that arise in the summer. However, keep in mind that summer internships are more competitive because many more students have the same idea.
April to May (junior year)
Now it's time to reach out to the people you hope will write a letter of recommendation for you. I strongly recommend that you reach out at least a month before your letters are due, but two months is better. At least show them the courtesy of asking them to write a letter on your behalf before providing their name to the official application service provider.
Like all graduate programs, medical schools typically require two or three letters of recommendation, and you should make an effort to obtain letters from various recommenders. For example, you could contact a current or former science professor, a non-science professor, and a supervisor for your clinical internship. Overall, you want to identify the people who best match your character, interests, and work ethic.
June to August (between junior and senior year)
Once your application has been submitted, it will be reviewed and verified by the university. This process usually takes several weeks. If you are not yet familiar with the application process for studying medicine, I would like to help you: As a rule, there are two application processes for each faculty.
The primary application is submitted through one of three online application systems – AMCAS, TMDSAS, or AACOMAS – which shares your transcripts, MCAT scores, personal statements, letters of recommendation, and other helpful information about your academic and extracurricular background. Schools use this information to conduct an initial screening of applicants.
If a school you applied to is interested in you, they will send you a secondary application to complete and return. Secondary applications include essay prompts on a range of topics, such as: For example, to describe a recent leadership role you held or one of your greatest academic achievements. These questions are intended to reveal additional information about you that will help determine how well you fit into the school's program.
Which application service is right for you?
Most medical schools in the US participate in AMCAS, but depending on which school(s) you apply to, you may want to be aware of the other services that exist.
September to May (Senior Year)
Regardless of which application service you use, make sure that you submit your documents on time. This also applies to returning any second applications, as you will receive feedback from the schools about job interviews in the fall semester.
Schools will begin announcing their admissions decisions in late fall, and since many schools conduct admissions on a rolling basis, this process will continue into the following spring. Remember that schools have a lot of applications (and materials) to process, so patience is key during this time.
The interesting thing about admission to medical school is that you can accept more than one offer – but only until May, and the deadline for accepting an offer of April 30th is coming up quickly. I repeat: Applicants must officially select their school by April 30th. Once you officially accept an offer on AMCAS, all other offers will be withdrawn.
At this point, schools will begin adding students to their waiting lists. If you have already received your acceptance letter, now is the time to prepare for the start of your first year of study. But don't miss out on the celebration – it's been a long and hard process and it's important that you take the time to recognize your achievement.
Admission to Medical School: Everything Put Together
As you can see, preparing for medical school easily takes two years. But if you follow this guide, break the process down into bite-sized chunks, create a schedule that works for you, and stay persistent throughout the process, you'll be well on your way to your first year of medical school.
To improve your chances of success, I recommend surrounding yourself with colleagues who share the same goals and limiting distractions outside of your studies. And if you ever need extra motivation, consider these tips to help you get through the pre-med school journey. Then take a few minutes to move your body, drink cold water, and refocus on the path ahead. Good luck!
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