1. Pick a major that you genuinely want.
Contrary to popular belief Pre-med students don’t have to be science majors. Medical schools just need you to fulfill the pre-med requirements (these are specific for every school) so you can basically major in anything and still be able to apply to medical school. In fact, having a different major may benefit you because your application will stand out!
2. Pre-requisites
Usually the pre-requisites for medical are course such as:
-Biology I & II
– Inorganic Chemistry I & II
Organic Chemistry I & II
-Physics I & II
– Calculus I
-Humanities courses: Psychology or Sociology
Nevertheless, you should try to make a list of the schools that interest you as soon as possible and check their pre-requisites. Tip: while you’re checking out the medical school requirements look at the average GPA and MCAT scores of those schools because those are very important components to your application
3. Study, Study, Study!
Not only are the classes difficult but they also require a lot of your time outside of class. Stay organized and try to stay ahead of your work! Maintaining a good GPA is one of the most important things when it comes to having a strong application. Your MCAT score is just as important, make sure that you get a head start to study properly for it.
Both of these are experiences that you NEED to have because not only do medical schools require it but it will help you decide whether or not this is the career path you want to take. If medicine is what you really want, volunteering and shadowing will be a great learning experience.
5. Connections and Networking
Every professor, doctor, and advisor that you meet during your pre-med years is vital for a successful path towards medical school. You will learn plenty from all of these people, and they might lead you to other opportunities and experiences. Tip: If you feel like you made a great connection with a doctor you shadowed or an organization that you volunteered with ask for a letter of recommendation.
6. Distinguish yourself
Don’t be afraid to try new things. Explore your interests in college; whether it’s sports, art, writing, or music these are the things that make you stand out. Think about it, most of the application admissions officers are going to see a lot of science majors in pre-med clubs doing pre-med things. Stand out by joining different clubs, declaring a minor or working in something out side of your field.
7. Your pre-med advisor:
Create a great connection with your premed advisor! I recommend to make an appointment with them at the beginning and end of each semester to discuss what you’ve been doing, what you will do, and what you need to do. Maintain in contact with them and don’t be afraid to ask questions! Your premed advisor will have to write a letter of recommendation for you, keep that in mind.
8. MCAT
There are plenty of ways to prepare for the MCAT. This seven hour standardized test can be what determines if you get accepted or not. Dedicate time to familiarizing yourself with the exam, how it’s scored, how much time you have to study, invest in study books and maybe even a prep course.
9. Staying motivated
It is extremely difficult to maintain a good spirit when bombarded with stress, responsibilities and constant reminders of how long and competitive being a pre-med is. Focus on yourself and make time for yourself. If you aren’t happy and healthy, then you won’t succeed. Go to the gym, take a yoga class, take a walk in the park, spend time with friend, call family; do whatever you need to do to get out of the pre-med bubble. This will help you relax and refocus on what your goal is.
Yes pre-med is hard but it is also very rewarding. If you’re doing medicine for the right reasons, then no matter how hard the classes get and how overwhelming the work load is, you will find the purpose to each step that leads you to your over all. Venture out of the premed curriculum. I know it’s already challenging to manage all of your classes but find time to distress through clubs, sports or whatever you find interesting. This will make your college years more enjoyable and help you out when doing your applications.