What does it mean to be a pre-medical student?

Hey guys, so I'm a junior and I've been thinking about my future career options. I know I want to go into the medical field, but I'm not sure what the term 'pre-medical student' actually means. Can someone clarify that for me, please?

Sure! A pre-medical student (or "pre-med") is an undergraduate student who intends to pursue a career in medicine and plans to apply to medical school after completing their bachelor's degree. Being pre-med is not a major itself, but rather a path or track one takes to become a competitive applicant for medical schools.

As a pre-med student, you'll typically choose a major (like biology, chemistry, or even non-science fields) and then complete a set of core courses or prerequisites that are required by most medical schools. These courses usually include biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, physics, and sometimes additional ones like psychology, sociology, or statistics, depending on the specific medical school(s) you plan to apply to.

In addition to coursework, pre-med students are advised to gain hands-on experience in the healthcare field, research, and other extracurricular activities that can demonstrate leadership, teamwork, and dedication towards the medical profession. Volunteer work, clinical shadowing, and internships are common ways for pre-med students to gain valuable experience.

Lastly, medical schools often require applicants to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), which measures your preparedness for medical school. Most pre-med students take this exam during their junior or senior year of college.

Overall, being a pre-med student means preparing yourself academically, professionally, and personally to apply to and succeed in medical school on your journey to becoming a physician or another healthcare professional.