Pre-med Path to Becoming a Doctor

Hey all, I'm really interested in becoming a doctor and I've heard that going pre-med in college is a common path to get there. Can someone guide me on the pre-med path, what I should expect, and maybe share some advice on how to excel in this journey? I appreciate your help!

Definitely! The pre-med path is indeed a common route for aspiring doctors. Here's a general outline of what you should expect and some advice to help you excel in this journey:

1. Choosing a major: While many pre-med students opt for a major in biology or chemistry due to their relevance to the medical field, you can actually choose any major you're passionate about. You'll just have to make sure to fulfill the pre-med course requirements (which I'll cover below) alongside your major's coursework.

Do be aware that if there isn't much overlap between the two, you'll need to plan out your course schedule carefully, and potentially even take summer classes or graduate a term late to get everything done. On the flip side, though, majoring in something unconventional can make you stand out in the highly competitive medical school admissions process, and ultimately make you a better doctor, by giving you a more interdisciplinary skillset.

2. Pre-med coursework: No matter your major, you'll need to complete certain courses to be eligible for medical school admission. Typical prerequisites include biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and English, with some schools also requiring biochemistry, statistics, psychology, and sociology. Verify specific requirements for medical schools you're interested in, as they may vary.

3. Maintaining a strong GPA: Medical schools have competitive admissions processes, so maintaining a high GPA is crucial. While there's no official cutoff, really the closer to 4.0 the better. Many pre-med students take advantage of tutoring, office hours, study groups, and pre-med-specific advising to help them excel academically.

4. MCAT preparation: If you want to apply to medical school right out of undergrad, during your junior year of college you'll need to take and perform well on the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT). This standardized exam covers topics such as biology, biochemistry, chemistry, physics, psychology, and sociology. Many students take a gap year before applying to medical school, to enhance their resume and study full-time for the MCAT, so don't worry if you don't think you'll be able to prepare adequately during your junior year. Just make sure that whenever you're planning to take the exam, you start preparing early, and consider even taking advantage of a prep course.

5. Gaining clinical experience: Medical schools value applicants with clinical exposure. Volunteering at hospitals, shadowing physicians, or working as a medical scribe are excellent ways to gain experience, learn about the healthcare system, and demonstrate your commitment to medicine.

6. Research opportunities: Though not mandatory, participating in research can strengthen your application and help you develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Seek out research opportunities at your college or other institutions, especially if they align with your specific interests in the medical field.

7. Extracurricular activities: Medical schools look for well-rounded applicants with strong leadership and communication skills. Leading clubs, participating in community service, or getting involved with on-campus organizations will give you opportunities to develop these qualities and showcase them on your application.

8. Letters of recommendation: Build positive relationships with professors and supervisors throughout your undergraduate experience, as you'll need strong letters of recommendation when applying to medical schools.

9. Timing: Students apply to medical school through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) two summers before they're planning on starting (if you want to start in fall 2025, for example, you'd want to apply in summer 2024). Many schools use rolling admissions, so you want to apply as early as possible, so that there will still be a good number of spots open in the class.

To excel as a pre-med student, stay organized, manage your time effectively, and don't shy away from asking for help when needed. Remember to prioritize your well-being and establish a balance between academics and personal pursuits. Lastly, connect with other pre-med students and join pre-med clubs at your college for additional resources, support, and networking opportunities.

Finally, if you're looking for ways to pursue your passion for medicine while still in high school, check out this blog post from CollegeVine, which lists a range of medical internships and summer programs for high schoolers: https://blog.collegevine.com/medical-internships-for-high-school-students/. Many of them will allow you to connect with current medical educators and professionals, who can give you a more concrete sense of what the pre-med track is like.

Participating in one could even increase your chances of getting into an excellent undergraduate institution, as admissions officers love to see that you're taking initiative and exploring your interests outside of the classroom! Good luck!