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A Typical Week for First-Year Medical Students

Hear from med student, Kevin Yang, about what an average week for a first year med student looks like. As an incoming student rep, I have the pleasure of contacting the incoming class of medical students. After their initial elation, they pose a myriad of questions. The most popular of those questions: “What is life like in medical school? Like, what does a normal week look like for you?” Since these questions come up quite frequently, I figured I’d break it down for you. So, my friends, here’s what a typical week looks like for first-year medical students:

[ Read Next: First-Year Medical School Student (M1) Guide ]

Saturday & Sunday

Kevin Yang is a fourth-year osteopathic medical student with an interest in psychiatry. He has been working for Kaplan since 2012 in teaching/tutoring/mentoring for the SAT, ACT, MCAT, and USMLE. In his spare time, he enjoys reading science fiction and fantasy novels, and he also has interest in writing, computers, and video games.

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By submitting my email address. i certify that i am 13 years of age or older, agree to recieve marketing email messages from the princeton review, and agree to terms of use., what to expect in medical school.

There are over 140 U.S. medical schools that award the MD to graduates. These schools train students in allopathic medicine. (A smaller number of schools train students in osteopathic medicine and award the DO to graduates). Allopathic schools train tomorrow's MDs with a common (and rigorous!) core curriculum. But beyond that core, no two schools are exactly alike . Each offers its own unique academic focus, teaching methods and research opportunities.

How long is medical school?

Medical school takes 4 years to complete, but to become a doctor you'll also spend 3–7 years in residency.

The First Two Years

The first two years of medical school are a mixture of classroom and lab time. Students take classes in basic sciences, such as anatomy, biochemistry, microbiology, pathology and pharmacology. They also learn the basics of interviewing and examining a patient.

Traditionally, students take four or five courses in various disciplines at the same time. However, some schools focus on a single subject for a shorter block of time—say, three or four weeks—then move on to another. Other schools take an interdisciplinary approach to pre-clinical coursework, in which each class focuses on a single organ, examining all the anatomy, pharmacology, pathology and behavior relevant to that system. At the end of the second year, you'll take USMLE  Step 1.

Read More: Guide to Your Medical School Application

The Clinical Experience: Years 3 and 4

Third and fourth year medical students do rotations at hospitals and clinics affiliated with their school, culminating with taking (and passing) USMLE Step 2. Students doing rotations assist residents in a particular specialty such as surgery, pediatrics, internal medicine or psychiatry. During this time, you'll probably feel like a cross between a mindless grunt and a skilled apprentice. You'll interact with patients and perform basic medical procedures along with any tasks the resident doesn't want to do.

While some rotations, such as Internal Medicine, are required at all programs, others have more unique clerkship requirements. The length of time you spend in a rotation depends on the hospital's focus or strength. At some schools, the surgery rotation is three weeks long; at others, it is three months. The character of the hospital will also color your experience. If the setting is urban, you can expect increased experience with trauma, emergency medicine, or infectious disease, as well as exposure to a diverse patient population.

Clinical rotations will not give you enough expertise to practice in any specialty (that's what a residency is for). They will give you a breadth of knowledge and help you consider potential career paths .

Patient Care vs. Research

You can train to be a primary care doctor at any medical school. But programs that emphasize primary care tend to include more patient contact, coursework in patient handling, and longer clinical rotations in general fields. Many are actively involved in the surrounding communities, offering volunteer opportunities in the clinical care of indigent populations.

If you're looking to pursue a career in academic medicine or biomedical research, you should look for schools with strong research programs. You will not have the same opportunities, facilities, mentors or funding at a school focused on training primary care physicians.

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Combined Degrees

If you want to complement your MD with advanced coursework in another discipline, some schools—especially those affiliated with a larger university—allow students to register for classes in other departments. Many also offer combined degree programs .

After Med School

Med students who make it through all four years (and don't worry, most do) will be the proud owner of an MD. But your education doesn't end there. You still need to pass the board exam and spend between three and seven years as a resident in a teaching hospital.

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Subscribe to get more marketing articles from sparkreaction:, 19 physician-approved tips for how to study in medical school.

Key points:

• Medical students face several obstacles when it comes to studying: The sheer volume of information you’re required to learn, quickly forgetting what you’ve studied, holding onto old study habits that aren’t working, and staying on track with classwork and exam prep. 
• There are scientifically proven methods you can use to study more efficiently, deeply encode the material into your long term memory, and have more confidence in what you do know. 
• Over the past 50 years, scientists have been studying how the brain works, and specifically how it processes memories. We now know—based on the results of empiric data—that specific study techniques are not helpful for long term learning. The good news? We also know which study techniques WILL help you study stronger. 
• Spaced repetition and interleaving are two key study techniques for medical students to deepen their brain's encoding and improve recall of the information they're learning. 
• Besides classroom time and clinical time, your schedule in medical school will be packed with studying. Most medical students report that they study 3–4 hours per day. 

Most students enter medical school without a good idea of how they’ll approach the required studying and quickly realize the study methods they've used so far in their education aren't going to work in medical school. There's simply too much material! There has been no set of books specifically for medical school , and students have been left on their own to find the best material that supplements the lectures. 

The main problems that medical students face include 

• The sheer volume of information you’re required to learn 
• Quickly forgetting what you’ve studied 
• Holding onto old study habits that aren’t working
• Staying on track with classwork and exam prep 

Many students purchase various tomes written for medical specialists or use post graduate and college textbooks for some subjects, but then find that only about 5% of the content directly applies to their studies. Some buy various help-books filled with outlines of what is most important to learn but find them impossible to assimilate. Many buy Q&As for the USMLE Step exams and then cram to pass these tests.

Studying in medical school is the biggest source of stress for many students. There are scientifically proven methods you can use to study more efficiently, deeply encode the material into your long term memory, and have more confidence in what you do know. 

Traditional study methods that don’t work in medical school

Many well-known methods of learning have been passed down through generations of educators. We use them ourselves and teach them to the next generation—it's probably how you were taught to study! But it's not optimal for how your brain processes memories. 

Our evidence-based approach to learning medicine is detailed in our 32-page Studywise guide. It's free! Download now.

Over the past 50 years, scientists have been studying how the brain works, and specifically how it processes memories. We now know—based on the results of empiric data—that specific study techniques are not helpful for long term learning. 

There are six common studying mistakes medical students make 

• Read and reread the study material; highlight and re-highlight it until you know it.
• Study one topic at a time. Move on to the next topic once you’ve mastered the first one.
• Study at the same time and place each day, in a location free of distractions.
• Find your learning style and study accordingly.
• Use practice questions to confirm your mastery after extensive study.
• Cram before exams.

How to study in medical school 

Through empiric testing, scientists have discovered two study techniques that are proven to help your brain remember more of what you learn: spaced repetition and interleaving. 

Spaced repetition

Spaced repetition (or retrieval) is your secret key to successfully learning everything you need to in medical school. This is because the repeated retrieval of a memory progressively spaced out over weeks to months can make that memory easily recalled for years. 

How do you do spaced repetition? 

It’s all about how often you bring concepts back into your study sessions to quiz yourself on it—even if you know the material well. Once you’ve comprehensively studied a concept—meaning you fully understand it—you should review the Q&As or Flashcards for that concept. Depending on how correctly and easily you answer the question on that concept, you should “shuffle” it back into your study material to revisit the concept in 2 days, 10 days, 2 weeks, 10 weeks, etc. Each time you revisit the concept, your memory of it is stronger. Coming back to it at progressively longer intervals will strengthen your memory retrieval of the concept, making it easier to remember it on exam day or in the clinical setting. 

You don’t have to create and manage a crazy study calendar to implement spaced repetition on your own. There are several tools and apps out there that will do it for you. MedStudy’s Personal Trainer takes the Core books and Qbank+ questions and serves you weekly study plans. It automates spaced repetition for you so you automatically see concepts at perfect intervals to strengthen your long term memory of the content. 

Interleaving

Interleaving is combining multiple topics into the same study session. So you don’t want to just study biochemistry until you master it. You want to study concepts from several topics together, which is proven to enhance not only the encoding but also the cognitive processing involved with learning. 

How many hours a day do you study in medical school?

Most medical students report that they study 3–4 hours per day. Besides classroom time and clinical time, your schedule in medical school will be packed with studying. If you understand how your brain processes memories, you can optimize your study habits to recall information faster. You may even be able to cut down on the study time, and you’ll definitely feel more at-ease walking into exams. 

What is the best way to study in medical school?

If you’re relying on any of the 6 study mistakes we mentioned above, you really should look into reading the free StudyWise guide . This 32-page guide is written by a doctor—Tony Hannaman, MD, who voraciously studied learning science in order to help doctors he works with to cut down on their time spent studying. 

The best ways to study in medical school are: 

• Review material daily. You can skip a day here and there, but you should spend at least some time every day reviewing the material. Stay consistent! 
• Spaced repetition.  Get progressively longer intervals of time between each review of a particular concept. You can automate spaced retrieval via apps like Personal Trainer or Anki. 
• Interleaving. Study multiple topics in every session—a great way to do this is to align what you're studying with the classes you're taking. Interleaving will help your brain create connections between the concepts and improve your recall. 
• Practice tests. Q&As are a powerful study tool for spaced repetition and also to get your brain used to the exam-like environment. If you get Q&As wrong, remind yourself that the process of searching for possible answers—generation—helps you remember the answer better once you find it—even if you guess wrong the first time.
• Use visuals. Get creative! Concept maps , drawing out notes, and using illustrations while you study are all proven ways to create connections in your mind—therefore enhancing your memory of the concept. 
• Switch up your study environment. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking you need complete silence or consistent time or any other strict rule about where, when, and how you study. The truth is, your brain unconsciously processes environmental cues in ways that actually help us to retain and recall information. It turns out that varying our study environment aids in the retention of new information.
• Join a study group. Study groups can be a great source of encouragement and increased confidence in the material. Through lively discussion and laughter, you’ll actively deepen and clarify your own understanding of subject material. 
• Ask for help. Med school is incredibly difficult. If you’re struggling with the material, studying, or anything else, be sure to reach out for help. You’re never alone! 

This is a great video from Zach Highley , a medical student in PA, that describes a few study methods he uses in medical school. 

There you have it! The 19 best tips for how to study in medical school. Now that you know which study methods to leave in the past (ahem, rereading and highlighting!) you can start your study journey off on the right foot!

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Getting into Medical School

One of the most important decisions that you will ever make is your career choice. Competition for admission to medical school is intense, and the coursework that follows requires an individual to think critically and employ discipline. Though the path to a career in medicine is a long one, it is intellectually challenging, financially secure, and personally rewarding.

Understanding factors to consider when applying for medical school is a good first step toward pursuing your interest in a medical career. It is never too early to become informed so that you can make the most of opportunities to prepare yourself for the application process.

A medical school admissions committee is likely to be made up of teaching physicians from the clinical faculty, research faculty from the biological sciences, and medical students. Alumni or community physicians may also serve on admissions committees.

Here are key factors to consider as you prepare to apply for medical school.  

1. Choose a pre-med major you have a real interest in.

• 2. Research specific medical school admissions requirements

3. Build a strong academic record that goes beyond your GPA.

4. start preparing for the mcat early., 5. write a personal statement that makes you stand out., 6. prepare for personal interviews., 7. participate in extracurricular activities., 8. get some work experience related to the medical field., 9. shadow health professionals to learn more about the career you are choosing., 10. get involved in your community by volunteering., 11. get experience in academic research..

When choosing a pre-med major, keep in mind that medical school admissions committees have no prerequisites when it comes to degrees. Choose a degree or major in which you have a real interest. Be sure to take English, biology, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and math (college algebra or above), regardless of your major choice.

2. Research specific medical school admissions requirements.

Begin to research specific medical school admissions requirements, timing, and other application factors as early as possible, even during your freshman and sophomore years of undergraduate study.

Although GPA is important, medical school admissions committees seek students who demonstrate a balance between their academic success and other interests.

The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) publishes the average applicant GPAs and Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores for US medical schools from the previous academic year. This information will give you a good idea of current averages.

Whether you meet or exceed the averages reported, remember that each application involves a variety of factors, including but not limited to academic performance. Don't let your GPA determine whether you apply.

The MCAT is a medical school admission requirement for most U.S. institutions, except for very few special consideration medical programs. The computer-based, multiple-choice, standardized test assesses critical thinking, writing skills, and basic knowledge of science.

The MCAT consists of four sections:

• Biological and biochemical foundations of living systems
• Chemical and physical foundations of biological systems
• Psychological, social, and biological foundations of behavior
• Critical analysis and reasoning skills

Your MCAT scores

The medical college admissions committees will consider your MCAT scores in the admission decision process. While an MCAT score in a high percentile can boost your medical school application, it is not the only consideration for admissions. Medical schools look at many factors in an application, and may even consider individual MCAT section scores to be as important as an overall score. 

Studying for the MCAT

A variety of guides and materials are available to help you study for the MCAT. No matter what study resources you decide to use, be sure you are familiar with all that the MCAT will test on before you invest in any products. As you plan out your study schedule, leave plenty of time for practice tests. Taking practice tests will help ensure you are meeting your study goals and know what to expect once the big day arrives.

Here is what you should know as you begin to prepare :

• The MCAT exam takes approximately seven and a half hours to complete.
• You can take the MCAT a maximum of three times over one year, and a total of four times maximum over a two-year period.
• Medical school admissions officers usually suggest that you take the MCAT in the calendar year prior to the year in which you plan to enter medical school.

Make it a priority to become familiar with MCAT eligibility and overall testing requirements before signing up to take it. If you have financial limitations, you may apply for fee assistance to minimize the costs of taking the MCAT.

Learn more about the MCAT on the AAMC website»

When applying for medical school, you will be required to write a personal statement. Although, this essay is often the last part of the application process, you should start preparing for it as early as possible. This is one part of the admissions process in which you can have direct influence and should aim for the best product possible.

While admissions committees often emphasize that they do not advise students about what to write in their personal statement, there are specific themes and topics that can be included. Your personal statement should reflect your goals and the qualities that are unique to you, so that you stand out. As you start your essay, take the time to carefully reflect on the academic foundation you have built and the experiences that have contributed to the development of your character and led to your decision to pursue a career in medicine.

Medical school admission requirements include a personal interview, though the specific processes differ among schools. Interviews may take place on or off campus. Interviews may be conducted by an admissions committee member, by multiple members of the admissions committee, or by off-campus interviewers, such as practicing physicians and/or current students. Generally, the interview assessments are added to the admissions file.

During the interview be prepared to answer questions in the following topical areas:

• Critical thinking skills and problem solving
• Ethical questions and scenarios
• Grades and test scores
• Personal attributes and experiences including philosophical viewpoints
• Career choice - be prepared to verbalize the answer to “Why do you want to go into medicine?”
• Attributes that make you a great fit with the medical school

Medical school admissions committees view involvement in extracurricular activities very favorably. If you can maintain a competitive grade point average in a rigorous curriculum and still actively participate in extracurricular activities, this demonstrates a high aptitude and work ethic. Many successful pre-med students join a variety of organizations, play varsity and intramural sports, participate in theatrical and singing groups, and volunteer. Leadership positions in these areas can also show commitment and personal growth. However, it must be emphasized that no amount of involvement in extracurricular activities can substitute for a good academic record or strong MCAT scores. Successful pre-med students have clear priorities and have learned to manage their time wisely.

Work experience related to the medical field is of particular value when applying to medical school. The primary value of working in a hospital, doctor’s office, public health clinic, or nursing home is to increase your exposure to the field and also help you decide whether to pursue a career in medicine. Many admissions committees will view this type of medically-related work experience favorably. This is not a medical school prerequisite to admissions, but is becoming increasingly important.

Students who have shadowed health professionals show that they have taken the initiative to investigate their career choice and have spent time and effort learning about the career. It is very important to keep track of physicians you have shadowed and the number of hours you spent in their offices. It is a good idea to shadow different professionals, not just physicians, to give you a broad perspective of the health care system. It is also important to shadow one or two professionals on a regular basis so that they may become familiar with you and your career goals. These individuals are more likely to feel comfortable writing you a letter of recommendation if they have mentored you or allowed you to follow them on an ongoing basis. It would also be a good idea to journal your experiences while shadowing. Journaling provides an opportunity for you to document your experiences for future application materials and experiences that can be written about in your personal statement.

If you want the chance to see medicine through its widest window, try shadowing a family physician. Because family doctors take care of everyone, from infants to older adults, these shadowing experiences are particularly rewarding and will help you get a jump start understanding medicine’s most popular specialty.  

Volunteering not only helps students decide whether medicine is the right field for them, it is a way to provide service to the community. Medical school admissions guides strongly urge their applicants to have engaged in some kind of volunteer activity before applying to medical school. Volunteering is viewed as increasingly important when it comes to admission decisions. It conveys commitment and integrity. You cannot demonstrate those traits in only a few days or a month of volunteer service.

Experience in scientific research is recommended by admissions committees for the academically strong student who has such an interest. This type of experience is essential if you aspire to a career in academic medicine or research. Many undergraduates develop an interest in pursuing research as a career while participating in projects in the laboratory of a faculty member.

Other Considerations for Acceptance

Other considerations that may be a factor when applying to medical school include:

• Evaluations from faculty members who had the student in class
• The applicant's state of residence
• The applicant's specialty choice
• Physician specialty needs in the state where the medical school is located

Thoroughly review each medical school's application requirements to ensure that you are supplying all of the information requested.

Copyright © 2024 American Academy of Family Physicians. All Rights Reserved.

Medical School Requirements + Prerequisites: The Ultimate Guide (2024-2025)

What medical school requirements and prerequisites do you need?

Discover medical school requirements and medical school prerequisites, which scholarly and extracurricular activities you need, and how to fulfill your premed requirements while standing out in the 2024-2025 medical school application process..

While official medical school requirements for every medical school are listed in the Medical School Admissions Requirements , there are common scholarly and extracurricular activities that medical school admissions committees want to see — discover what those medical school “requirements” are in this article.

Because the study of medicine requires a fundamental understanding of the sciences and mathematics. Therefore, medical school requirements are focused primarily on biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics . However, many medical schools also want to see that you have taken math and English.

Medical school admissions committees also need to be convinced that you understand what it means to practice medicine, work with people from different backgrounds, and be an effective member of a team among other attributes.

By reading this article, you will understand the academic, scholarly, and extracurricular medical school requirements so you will be well-positioned when you apply to medical school.

And, believe it or not, you can actually enjoy the process because it is that interesting and fun. Yes. FUN!

Table of Contents

College Requirements

To be eligible for a medical degree in the United States, you must have earned an undergraduate college degree before you start medical school. Many students ask if the undergraduate college status or prestige matter when it comes to medical school admissions. There is no clear “yes” or “no” answer to this question.

Some undergraduate colleges are especially prestigious or notoriously difficult and medical schools might consider this when evaluating a student’s GPA. In the same way, if a student attends a college that is considered easy, the GPA will be considered within that context.

For example, let’s say Student A went to a very prestigious college which is notorious for grade deflation and gives out very few As. She has a GPA of 3.45 with an upward trend. Now, let’s say student B went to a less prestigious college and earned a 4.0 GPA. Student A, depending on other factors such as the MCAT score and activities, might be considered a more competitive applicant than Student B who went to a much less rigorous undergraduate college.

The MCAT is really the great equalizer in this process. So, if Student A and Student B both earned a great MCAT, let’s say a 523, they would both be equally competitive assuming all other factors were equal.

Many students attend less competitive colleges for good reason and medical schools know this! There are also many prestigious college honors programs that medical school admissions committees consider quite impressive. A high GPA earned at ANY college is impressive especially if it’s matched strong course rigor and a high MCAT score.

Equally important to understand is that attending an “elite” college will not be your ticket to medical school. In fact, sometimes medical schools seem to expect more from student who attend elite colleges. This is anecdotal information based on our work with students in the most recent application season. 

The bottom line? You can get into medical school from any undergraduate institution as long as you do well academically and take advantage of the opportunities available to you.

Premedical Course Requirements

Medical school prerequisites may vary from med school to med school. However, the vast majority of medical schools have the following prerequisites:

• Biology with lab (two semester sequence or three quarter sequence)
• General chemistry with lab (two semester sequence or two quarter sequence)
• Organic chemistry with lab (two semester sequence or two quarter sequence)
• Physics with lab (two semester sequence or three quarter sequence)

Some medical schools also require the following prerequisites:

• Mathematics : Calculus or statistics or college mathematics (two semesters or three quarters). About 60 medical schools require math.
• Biochemistry (one semester or two/three quarters – depends on the school). About 60 medical schools require biochemistry. This number will likely increase every year.
• English (two semesters or three quarters)
• Statistics.  About 20 medical schools require statistics.
• Social sciences (psychology, sociology, two semesters)

Keep in mind that many medical schools will not accept AP credit to satisfy requirements.

Medical School Prerequisites: What Must You Take?

To be safe, we recommend taking all of the coursework listed above. Keep in mind that all courses must be taken before you matriculate to medical school rather than before you actually apply.

In addition to the courses listed above, we recommend students take upper level science classes in any discipline.

Since medical school prerequisites differ, it is important to review each medical school’s required courses before you apply. We recommend taking all required courses at a four year university in the United States or a community college if this was part of your education path.

For the most up to date listing for specific medical school’s requirements, refer to this document from the Association of American Medical Colleges .

What is “competency-based” admissions?

More medical schools are moving towards “competency-based” admissions meaning those schools don’t require specific prerequisite, but, prefer to see competency in certain disciplines including biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and the humanities.

However, until all medical schools move towards competency-based admissions, we suggest taking all of the traditional medical school prerequisites.

Will medical schools accept advanced placement (AP) credit?

Many students who take AP classes in high school “place out” of some required prerequisites in college. Not all medical schools will accept this AP credit however many will.

Therefore, is important to check with individual medical schools regarding specific requirements. I suggest that students seek out this information before starting their freshman year. I have worked with clients who placed out of biology and took chemistry instead. Not only did this make their college course load demanding as took upper level science classes from the start of college, but, some medical schools would not accept the AP biology credit.

To find out definitively what each medical school requires, refer to Medical School Admissions Requirements updated annually by the Association of American Medical Colleges .

Do medical schools accept community college classes and credits?

The majority of medical schools will accept community college credits. We advise students check the MSAR for specific requirements from each medical school. Medical school admissions committees understand there are many reasons students enroll in community college classes and these choices will be viewed within the context of your entire application.

Medical School Requirements and Staying Organized

Medical school requirements can seem daunting and you may feel overwhelmed thinking about everything you need to do and accomplish to be a competitive medical school applicant.

The good news? If you stay organized, don’t rush to accomplish everything too quickly, and work hard, you can (and will) get it all done! I did it (years ago) and thousands of our students have as well.

Having a medical school timeline based on whether or not you plan on taking a gap year (or two) will help you to keep on track and get all of the prerequisite courses you need.

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Medical School Major Requirement

Medical school applicants can select any premed major !

Applicants often ask me what major “looks good” on an application. My response is always “the one that interests you the most.” Double majoring or earning a minor does not improve one’s candidacy, overall.

Students can major in non-science disciplines. In fact, medical schools are always seeking applicants who are intellectually curious and diverse; they don’t want an entire class of biology and chemistry majors.

Regardless of your major, take upper division science classes to prove that you can perform well in them. The bottom line is you can major in any discipline or disciplines you want as a premedical student.

However, since your GPA matters so much in medical school admissions, ideally you should try to major in the discipline where you can earn the highest GPA.

For example, a Spanish major with a 3.9 overall GPA and a 3.7 BCPM GPA, will be just as competitive as a Biology major with same stats assuming the Spanish major enrolled in upper level science courses.

By the same token, an Applied Math major with a 3.5 overall GPA and 3.4 BCPM GPA might not be as competitive as the Spanish major with higher metrics.

Interestingly, in the most recent data available, humanities majors have the highest acceptance rates to medical school with more than 50% matriculating!

RELATED ARTICLE: The Best Premed Major for Medical School Admissions (2023-2024)

Medical School GPA Requirements

The majority of medical schools will not disclose minimum GPA requirements. The average GPA for all medical school matriculants in 2022-2023 was 3.75 overall and a 3.68 BCPM at MD-granting schools in the U.S.

Many students ask us what GPA is “good enough” to get into medical school and this is a tough question to answer. Some medical schools screen applications based on minimum GPA requirements.

Obviously, the higher your GPA , the better. However, the general ballpark cut-off that medical schools use is an overall GPA of 3.5.

That said, schools also pay attention to grade trends. Many students do poorly early in college simply because they are not prepared for the academic course load and don’t have the maturity and time management and study skills to do well.

If you have an upward grade trend, medical schools may be willing to forgive a poor performance early in college. But, for the really competitive schools, academic excellence throughout college is essential.

How can you figure out if your GPA is competitive for a given medical school? We suggest reviewing the MSAR data and ensuring your GPA is in the middle 50th percentile or higher for the schools in which you are most interested.

Average GPAs for accepted students varies from medical school to medical school. The overall average GPA for students accepted to allopathic medical schools always hovers around 3.7.

Medical School MCAT Score Requirement

As mentioned earlier, MCAT scores allow medical schools to compare applicants from different undergraduate colleges.

The higher you score on the MCAT® the better. A composite score of 511 on the MCAT® is generally considered the score needed to gain admission to allopathic medical schools in the United States.

If you are applying to DO (osteopathic) medical schools, your MCAT does not need to be as high; an MCAT of 506 is competitive for osteopathic medical schools.

The maximum score a student can earn on the MCAT is 528. An outstanding MCAT score is 518 or above.

The overall average MCAT score for matriculants to allopathic medical schools in the United States has been steadily increasing:

• 511.2 in 2018/2019
• 511.5 in 2019/2020
• 511.5 in 2021/2201
• 511.9 in 2021/2022
• 511.9 in 2022/2023

The most recent data shows an average MCAT score of 511.9 for students accepted to allopathic medical school with the following breakdown: 127.9 CPBS, 127 CARS, 128.2 BBLS, and 128.9 PSBB.

Most college students take the MCAT the summer after junior or senior year. When planning on your MCAT date, keep in mind that most medical schools accept scores that are up to two or three years old.

RELATED ARTICLE:  What MCAT Score Do You Need to Get Into Medical School (2023-2024)?

Be sure to carefully plan your medical school admissions timeline when deciding when to take the MCAT.

Medical School Extracurricular Requirements

When seeking out experiences, keep in mind what medical school admissions committees want to see in your candidacy:.

• Commitment to medicine and scientific inquiry
• Experience working with diverse populations
• A commitment to advocacy and social justice
• Commitment to altruistic endeavors
• Intellectual curiosity
• Exposure to clinical medicine
• Excellent intra and interpersonal skills

See Medical School Core Competencies

Most medical schools, even those that are not major academic medical centers, want applicants to have research experience .

Most students engage in basic science research (either for credit, during the summer, or for employment) or clinical research.

However, research in other disciplines will also allow you to learn how to think critically, analyze data, evaluate the literature, solve problems, and ask and then answer a question through experimentation.

If you can’t find a basic science or clinical research experience , consider research in another discipline of interest – psychology, art history, anthropology – or whatever else piques your curiosity.

What you learn through research in any discipline can be applied to future research endeavors and help you to practice evidence based medicine. You will also be able to evaluate current studies, which will be necessary throughout your medical education, training, and career.

Medical schools are placing more and more value on the importance of scientific inquiry, analytical skills, and the ability to apply knowledge practically. Therefore, significant research experience will be more, and not less, important in coming years.

Social Justice and Advocacy Work (KEY FOR 2024-2025)

We saw medical schools, in 2022/2023, start to value work in social justice or advocacy. What does this mean exactly? We suggest that students be involved in work that shows an interest in combating inequities that exist in our society whether that be health care inequities, educational inequities, environmental inequities, or anything else.

Understanding the social determinants of health is also essential in today’s climate.

Volunteering and Community Service

Lending your services to help others in need is always a worthwhile endeavor.

Medical schools are seeking people who are compassionate, caring, and empathetic. Demonstrating these traits through community service or volunteer work is important. Medical schools also seek applicants who want to help others in need, including the underserved.

Physicians also play significant roles in their communities. Therefore, medical schools value students who demonstrate a commitment to serve their communities.

Service work can be performed in medical and non-medical settings, and both are considered desirable. As mentioned above, medical schools value volunteering in a free clinic, nursing home, hospital, or hospice. Spending time in non-clinical settings, such as a soup kitchen, a tutoring program, or helping to build homes for those who are less fortunate, also demonstrates a commitment to serve.

Shadowing/Exposure to Clinical Medicine

All medical schools want to see that you have varied clinical exposure.

This can take the form of doctor shadowing , volunteering in a free clinic, or working abroad in some capacity. Some applicants have difficulty getting accepted to medical school because they have no exposure to patient care.

We have found that in recent years medical schools are valuing hands-on clinical experience more rather than passive experiences such as shadowing. Even if you aren’t taking a gap year , consider scribing, working as an EMT or as a certified nursing assistant. Hands-on clinical experience is valued much more highly than passive experience such as shadowing.

If you have never set foot in a doctor’s office or a hospital it is tough to convince someone that you want to be a doctor. Admissions committees want to be sure that you understand what it means to practice medicine in a variety of settings.

I often suggest that students seek out shadowing experiences in emergency departments (EDs). I don’t this because I am an emergency physician but because emergency departments are open 24/7, are always busy, and have a variety of patients with varied clinical presentations. The key is to shadow a spectrum of specialists in different settings.

Other Extracurricular Activities

To show you are an interesting, curious and engaged person, you should ideally demonstrate other passions in the admissions process.

Medical schools want to have a group of diverse medical students so having other passions can be appealing.

Medical School Letter of Recommendation Requirements

Each medical school’s official letter of recommendation requirements vary. However, we suggest asking for letters from the following people to make the strongest letter portfolio

• Medical school committee letter. If your school offers a committee letter, include that in your profile
• Science Professors: Have at least one letter from a science professor. However, we recommend two science letters.
• Math Professors: If you have only one science letter, be sure to also receive at least one math letter.
• Liberal Arts Professor: Ideally, your letter profile should include one liberal arts professor.
• Research Principal Investigator (PI): If you did research, try to get a letter from your PI.
• Shadowing or Community Service Letter: These letters serve mostly as character reference letters, but, can add to your overall profile.

How do you complete the medical school application?

Most medical schools extend interviews on a rolling basis so it is extremely important to submit your medical school application as close to the application opening date as possible.

Ideally you should start working on your personal statement and work and activities entries by April.

All three application systems open in early May. AMCAS can be submitted in very late May/early June. Also be aware that AMCAS won’t verify your application until it receives all documentation. Application processing and verification can take up to six weeks. But, if you submit early, this processing often takes much less time.

The AMCAS application opens in early May. At that time you can enter all of your application information, request transcripts, and have letters of reference sent to AMCAS.

Submitting the earliest applications possible is of the utmost importance.

RELATED ARTICLE:  Best Medical School Application Timeline (2023 -2024)

Final thoughts

We realize that all for the medical school requirements you need to be competitive are daunting. So, stay organized, take it one day at a time, and it will all get done! If you need support along the way, we are here to help you.

Frequently asked questions

Are paid volunteer clinical trips worthwhile.

We discourage applicants from paying for clinical experience and “voluntourism” is something that was in vogue years ago. Unless you have a connection to the foreign country at which you are doing work, this will not be viewed favorably by admissions committees and could be interpreted as gratuitous and privileged. 

What about paid shadowing programs like the Atlantis fellowship?

We discourage applicants from paying for shadowing or observerships such as the Atlantis study abroad fellowship unless you are looking for a work vacation and have extra cash on hand. Atlantis “fellowships” start at $4,800 according to their website. Programs such as Atlantis are not highly respected by admissions committees and you are better of shadowing doctors in your community and learning about challenges facing people in the United States.

How many volunteering hours do I need for medical school?

We discourage applicants from trying to accumulate hours for the sake of your medical school candidacy. How many hours you have often depends on the value of an experience and the opportunity you have to make an impact through that experience. Once an experience becomes boring or if the experience dead ends, meaning that you cannot find anyway to learn something valuable from it or contribute in a meaningful way, it’s time to consider dropping the activity. MedEdits student who have been accepted to medical have had between 30 – 1000 hours of volunteer experience.

What is the best major for medical school?

As we have mentioned in this article, there is no “best major” for medical school. You should major in what interests you most. That said, if you major in a non science, be sure you take upper level science classes in additional to traditional prerequisites to show you can do well and that you have a solid foundation for medical school. Medical school admissions committees want to see mastery in whatever discipline you are interested in. Some students see college as the last opportunity to study a non-science discipline in depth and take advantage of that opportunity. Medical schools, which value intellectual curiosity, appreciate this. Based on the data, no specific major will increase your chances of medical school admission.

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Complete Guide to Getting into Medical School

Medical school: It’s a dream for many. Or, at least the end result of becoming a physician is. Unfortunately, it’s a reality for far fewer. Both the path to medical school and the experience itself are extraordinarily demanding. The competition is stiff, and the work is rigorous.

That doesn’t mean getting into med school is an insurmountable task. How do you do it? Learn about the process in this in-depth guide.

This post covers the pre-med process from freshman year of college and beyond. If you’re in high school, check out our other post: Navigating the Pre-Med Track to Medical School .

Overview of the Medical School Process

Relative importance of application components.

As you can see, your GPA and MCAT score are the metrics matter the most to admissions committees, constituting 30% of your application each. Meanwhile, activities still carry some weight at 20%, while your personal statement and recommendation letters each count for 10%.

Pre-Med Timeline

Freshman Year

The pre-med track starts your first year of college. At that point, you should be meeting with your pre-health advisor, as well as beginning to develop relationships with faculty and mentors — bearing in mind that longer, better-established relationships will result in stronger recommendation letters. (If you have professors teaching large lectures, gain more face-to-face time by attending office hours.)

Remember that pre-med is not a major ; you can major in anything and go to medical school, as long as you complete the required courses. 

You should also start thinking about your undergraduate-med school timeline. For example, do you want to begin right after you graduate from undergrad, or will you take a gap year?

This is a time to be exploring interests outside of healthcare, too. As you adapt to your coursework, look into joining activities, such as volunteering, research, clubs, paid jobs, and so on. Look into summer positions as well — as with undergraduate admissions, med school adcoms will want to see you spending your time off productively. Later on, you should try to secure leadership roles. Keep in mind that AMCAS activities are measured in hours, so you should start clocking them now.

Sophomore Year

During your sophomore year, you should work on completing the majority of your pre-med prerequisite courses. This is also the time you should determine whether you’re going to take a gap year, because if you don’t, you’ll need to apply the summer after your junior year. Otherwise, you can wait until after you graduate.

Start considering when to take the MCAT. If you’re not taking a gap year, the earliest time to take it is most likely the summer after your sophomore year. You should also be asking professors with whom you’ve developed relationships if they’re willing to write you a recommendation letter — this will prevent awkward situations where you haven’t spoken for a while but still need the letter later on.

On the extracurricular side, continue your clinical and non-clinical volunteer and research work, and apply or run for leadership positions within your clubs or organizations.

Junior Year

This is crunch time. You should take the MCAT if you haven’t done so already. You should also secure your pre-health advising committee letter and order official transcripts from all higher education institutions you’ve attended, including study abroad and summer courses.

The AMCAS application becomes available in early May, and you should complete it as early as possible. We also encourage you to start pre-writing your personal statement and activity descriptions.

You can submit your AMCAS application in late May or early June. That means you should solidify your school list (although you can always add more schools later) and send AMCAS your official transcripts. Confirm with your recommendation writers that they have submitted their letters.

Once you are sure that your primary application is as high quality as possible, submit it. The AAMC will need to verify all of your information, and this process will take several weeks unless you get it in early. Keep in mind that your schools won’t receive your application until it has been verified. After you’ve submitted it, consider pre-writing secondary, school-specific essays. 

July/August

At this point, students who have had their AMCAS applications verified will receive invitations to complete the secondary applications. It’s important to complete them as soon as possible because you will not be considered for an interview invitation until all your materials have been received. Plus, it’s easier to secure an interview at the beginning of the admissions cycle when there are plenty of invitations still available. These invitations will begin to be sent in early August.

Senior Year (or Application Year)

September–March

This is interview season. To prepare, see if your college’s pre-health advising office offers mock interviews. Because almost all schools require in-person, on-campus interviews, you’ll need to balance travel and school commitments.

Continue to watch application status websites or Twitter feeds for individual medical schools to know the status of your application. You should also send update letters — after ensuring that the school accepts them — if you’ve had any significant changes, such as new leadership positions, publications, or anything else of note. This can be combined with a letter indicating ongoing interest.

October–May

October 15th is the earliest date a medical school will notify applicants of an acceptance. Some schools have rolling admissions, which generally begin 4-6 weeks following an interview; most top schools, however, notify students about decisions around the same time in early spring.

This is when “Second Look” weekends take place for admitted students to learn more about schools to which they’ve been admitted.

By May 15th, accepted students must send their “Intend to enroll” notices that they plan to matriculate at a given medical school. Around this time, final decisions about waitlists are usually made, typically by the end of June.

After this period, the school year will begin. Most medical schools start between July and September.

U.S. Medical School Tiers

Here are the different med school tiers, based on selectivity. We’ll delve into each one more deeply and share how applicant expectations vary.

• Top 10 Schools 
• Tier 2 Schools 
• Tier 3 Schools 
• Lower Tier MD Schools 
• DO (Osteopathic) Schools
• Caribbean Schools 

Undergraduate Profile

Gpa targets.

MCAT Score Targets

The average MCAT score for medical school admissions is 510 out of 528. Your targets depend on the type of school you’re aiming for, as listed below:

• 505 – DO / Caribbean Programs 
• 510 – Average State School 
• 520 – Harvard Medical School 

You should strive for a score that’s above the 50th percentile for accepted students at your target school.

MCAT Preparation

Your pre-med coursework provides a basis for further independent study. Given that the MCAT is an endurance test as much as an assessment of your skills — it takes more than six hours to complete — you’ll need to prepare extensively. Practice exams will likely offer the best preparation, and you should attempt to take them under simulated testing conditions.

Types of Prep Materials 

When you’re preparing, certain materials can help you get ready. For example, you can receive practice tests and information booklets directly from the AAMC and access online materials for free or at a reduced cost via organizations like Khan Academy or Coursera.

Courses like Kaplan and Princeton Review are more expensive, around $2,000 for in-person classes and $1,500 for online, self-directed materials.

It’s best to take the MCAT after you’ve completed your pre-med prerequisites since they’ll give you a strong foundation for your independent, self-directed study. 

Admissions open in May, and the last test is usually in April. It’s a good idea to take the exam on the earlier side to give yourself ample time to retake it — up to 20% of students end up doing so. You should also schedule the test following an extended period of less strenuous activity so you’ll have plenty of time to study (for example, you might take it over a summer where you’re undertaking part-time research). According to our survey, a majority of students spend 20 hours per week studying over three months.

Keep in mind that medical schools will see every MCAT score, and multiple low scores will hurt your chances of admission. That’s why you should avoid retaking it, especially more than once. You should also factor in the sky-high cost of $320 (though you may qualify for a fee waiver).

Low Test Scores 

If you receive a low test score, you’ll need to reassess and adjust your expectations. Try to emphasize other strengths in your essays and activity write-ups. You should also consider additional schools, such as osteopathic schools, which are typically less selective.

Of course, you can retake the exam — in sum, you can take it up to three times per year. Many people end up taking it twice. However, as we’ve noted, med schools will penalize you the more times you take it; retaking it multiple times suggests that you may not be able to handle the rigors of medical school. 

Most Important Activities

Clinical Experience 

Research Experience 

Service Roles 

Leadership Roles 

Volunteer Experience 

Teaching Experience 

Fraternity / Sorority 

Involvement Sports Involvement

Activities Required by Medical School

Activities that are typically required by medical schools are as follows:

Top 10–20 Medical Schools

Teaching Experience

Typical State Medical School 

Volunteer Experience

DO / Caribbean School

Service Roles

Patient Care Experience

Medical schools encourage applicants to have patient care experience, such as working as a scribe or EMT. While volunteering and shadowing are encouraged, too, they mainly involve observation. Patient care does, however, take significantly more time.

Choosing Research Experiences

Because research experience usually spans several years, you’ll need to carefully consider which lab or team is the right one for you. 

First, think about whether you’d prefer clinical or non-clinical work. While clinical tends to lead to more frequent publications, non-clinical research in a strong lab can lead to publication in high-impact journals.

Also, consider the publication history of the principal investigator. You’ll want a mentor who is established but not close to retirement. To find out more about the mentor, ask for feedback from previous mentees.

Another consideration is whether you can receive compensation. One drawback of this, though, is that expectations may rise.

Adapting to COVID-19

COVID, of course, presents challenges to the medical school process, but there are steps you can take to set yourself up for success. In terms of research, for example, you can reach out to mentors to help them finish manuscripts. You can also perform remote tasks, such as working with de-identified data.

Another idea is to investigate telemedicine options through your school or an affiliated hospital. You might be able to find videoconferencing opportunities with nursing homes and care facilities, make and donate cloth masks, or find forums to address misinformation related to medicine online.

Building a List of Schools

Msar database by aamc.

The Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR) is a database made available by the AAMC. For a $28 annual subscription, you can find detailed information, specific requirements, and admissions statistics for every school, including the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentiles for MCAT scores and GPAs.

This is a good starting point for crafting your list. You can also use it to prepare for interviews, using your knowledge of the schools.

Creating a School List

Unless you have a special admissions hook, you should aim to have an MCAT score and GPA that are above the 50th percentile for an admitted class. This will give you the best chance of receiving an interview invitation.

Adcoms will evaluate your MCAT, GPA, activities, essays, and letters of recommendation, so your academic record will need to be considered in the context of your entire application to understand your relative competitiveness. One way to get a better idea of how you compare is to speak with mentors and pre-med advisors about how students with similar profiles have fared in the past — with the understanding, of course, that every candidate and specific admissions pool is unique.

Apply to at least 15-20 schools. You should increase that number if you are not as competitive an applicant. However, the more schools you add to your list, the less time you’ll be able to devote to writing a strong secondary application for each school. You may need to apply to more schools, too, if your state’s public medical schools are highly competitive or the state has few or no public med schools. 

As part of your preparation, you should familiarize yourself with what specific medical schools look for in applicants. For example, some schools, such as Stanford University, value research the most, while others, like Tulane University, emphasize service. To get a better sense of what schools that interest you highlight, read about their history, mission statements, and student perspectives.

Keep application costs in mind too. It costs $40 to send your primary application to each additional school, and secondary applications range from $70-150 apiece. You may qualify for a fee waiver, so be sure to look into the requirements. 

Application Components

Amcas components.

The AMCAS application is the primary document that you’ll send to all medical schools on your list. It consists of:

• Identifying information 
• Schools attended (high school, undergraduate institution, graduate work, post-baccalaureate courses, study abroad credits, and transfer credits)
• Biographical information (ranging from the county where you grew up to gender identity to your family income during childhood)
• Coursework 
• Work/Activities (including up to 15 experiences, each with 700 characters of description space. Three experiences may be designated “most meaningful” for an additional 1,350 characters)
• Letters of Evaluation 
• Medical schools
• Essay(s) (your personal statement, describing your journey to and through medicine, limited to 5,300 characters)
• Standardized tests

Secondary Applications

Once a medical school has reviewed your initial application, they will send you a secondary application to complete. Some schools send these forms to all applicants, while others have a GPA and MCAT cutoff. The application generally consists of essays that address topics ranging from specific medical interests to your dream superpower. 

Given that prompts haven’t changed much from year to year in the past, you can prepare by prewriting. It’s also possible to recycle secondary essays among schools with similar topics. Make sure you submit this application as soon as possible.

As with the AMCAS application, you may request a secondary application fee waiver.

Discover your chances at hundreds of schools

Our free chancing engine takes into account your history, background, test scores, and extracurricular activities to show you your real chances of admission—and how to improve them.

Personal Statement

The goal of your personal statement is to address your genuine reasons for wanting to pursue medicine. Describe how you’ve prepared for the rigors of medical school, and show your “human side” — avoid coming across as robotic or cynical.

One way to help this come through is to incorporate personal anecdotes and stories. Use them to illustrate your careers goals, in terms of fields you’re thinking of entering or abstract values.

Tips for writing a strong personal statement:

• Start with an intriguing introduction.
• Incorporate an anecdote that shows the kind of person you are.
• Do not come across as self-serving.
• Stick to one or two themes.
• Avoid trite tropes (e.g. “I really love science”).
• Speak to your weaknesses with humility.
• Allow yourself several months to draft and revise.

Recommendation Letters

You’ll need at least three faculty recommendation letters, including two from a science (biology, chemistry, or physics) instructor and one from a non-science professor. You’ll also need a pre-med committee letter, which will synthesize all the information about a candidate. It’s important to meet with your advisor or committee early on to ensure that the letter is submitted on time.

You may also choose to send optional letters from individuals who can attest to your leadership, work, or volunteering. Although these are not usually required, they can bolster your application. Some schools require physician letters, which you can secure by working as a medical assistant, scribe, or EMT. You can also get one by shadowing a physician.

Network Development

Start networking and developing relationships early, remembering that you’ll need letters from science professors, non-science professors, and, in some cases, physicians. 

Building relationships with faculty usually involves attending office hours. These are classes you should prioritize, too — you should only ask for recommendations from instructors in classes where you earned an A. Network, but avoid being overly aggressive. You can also ask for application advice — you’ll demonstrate that you care about their opinions. 

When asking for your letter, be sure to send your recommenders your resume/CV and personal statement to help them learn more about you. This will allow them to incorporate your application themes into their letter. Also, provide key points about your strengths; this makes their job easier.

Timeline of Interviews 

Interview season lasts from August to March. Invitations are extended starting in July, and institutions will give you 1-2 months notice with several dates to choose among. Remember that not all candidates receive invitations, so securing one indicates that the school is seriously considering you for admission.

The interview itself is a way to differentiate yourself from other candidates. The importance of the interview depends on the school. For example, Ohio State University accepts more than 70% of interviewees, while New York University accepts around 20% of interviewees.

If a school places you on a hold or waitlist for an interview, you can send in supplemental information to bolster your application, including awards you’ve earned.

Before the Interview

Before your appointment, make sure to familiarize yourself with the location. This will help alleviate your anxiety and decrease your chances of being late. You should make sure to get to the location early either way, at least 15 minutes before the interview in case you encounter any unforeseen issues.

Lay out your clothes the night before and read through your application in the days leading up to the interview. Anything you included is fair game — if you’re unable to answer questions about your application, you’ll be calling into question the rest of what you’ve written. 

Interview Preparation

One important part of preparation is reading up on current events and issues in medicine. You could be asked about them, and having a well-thought-out, nuanced response will leave a positive impression and help keep the conversation flowing. Thoroughly research the program beforehand by speaking to current students, perusing medical school forums, and reviewing the program’s website.

You should also practice with mock interviews. Some pre-med offices offer this service; otherwise, you can ask for help from faculty mentors or peers.

Final interview tips 

• Stay positive and upbeat throughout the day.
• Engage with other applicants.
• Sit and stand with good posture.
• Be forthright and don’t make excuses.
• If you cannot make an interview, notify the school as soon as possible.
• Treat everyone with courtesy and respect.
• Find a well-fitting or tailored suit.

Interview Types

In general, interviews last around 30-45 minutes and are conducted with a faculty member, student, or physician. Most schools will have 2-3 different interviews.

Types include (but are not limited to):

Student interview : This tends to be informal, but you should avoid being overly casual. Be sure to stick to making statements that would not be considered offensive to any particular subgroup.

Open-file interview: The interviewer has seen your application and already knows information about you.

Closed-file interview: The interviewer has not seen any of your application materials

Multiple student interviews: This type involves one interviewer with multiple students. Typically, it emphasizes teamwork and may involve an activity or discussion of an ethical scenario. It will assess your ability to analyze, communicate, and collaborate with others without dominating them.

Multiple mini interviews: This involves 6-10 short interview stations. You’ll spend about 10 minutes at each station and will tackle issues like ethical dilemmas, teamwork activities, and traditional interviews. Usually, you’ll have 2-3 minutes to prepare your approach or response. One benefit this format offers is mitigated bias since you’ll be evaluated by several different individuals. You’ll be assessed on your ability to think on your feet and solve a variety of problems.

No matter what the format, good interviews flow, and time will pass seamlessly, even if the conversation veers away from the original questions.

Common Questions

Below are just some examples of questions you might encounter in an interview:

• Tell me about yourself.
• Tell me why you’re interested in medicine. What inspired this interest? 
• What experiences have you had in a medical or clinical setting? 
• What do you think makes you a good candidate for medical school? 
• From what you understand about medical school, what will be the biggest challenge for you? What hesitations or reservations do you have about joining the medical profession?
• What role do you tend to play when working on a team? 
• Tell me about a mistake you’ve made and explain what you learned. 
• How do you deal with stress? 
• What has been your most rewarding experience working with others?

How to Answer Interview Questions

1. Consider why you are being asked the question.

For example, if you’re asked about your weaknesses, be introspective and offer a real weakness — something, perhaps, you’re working on — rather than simply stating a strength masked as a weakness. 

2. Try to limit your responses to 90 seconds.

Prepare an elevator-style pitch about yourself to avoid rambling.

3. Have specific examples or stories for different types of questions.

Anecdotes will help illustrate and humanize your experiences.

4. Take responsibility and strike a positive tone throughout.

Keep things upbeat. A positive attitude will come through and make the interviewer(s) feel more positively about you in general.

Questions to Ask

Your interviewer will ask you if you have any questions for them near the end of the interview. Make sure you have a few prepared; not having any will come off as a lack of interest on your part. The best questions are ones you can develop naturally from the conversation, but if you can’t, try the following topics:

• What is your favorite or least favorite thing about this school? 
• Why did you choose to work at/attend this school? 
• Can you tell me more about X program? 
• How do you think I should decide on which medical school I attend? 
• Do you have any advice for me? 
• What is your favorite or least favorite thing about being a doctor? (If your interviewer is a doctor)

Selection Process

Factors to consider in final selection of a school.

Consider qualities like the school’s history, curriculum, and areas of focus. Think about how they align with your own interests and goals. For example, perhaps you’re thinking of going into primary care or pursuing a dual-degree program.

Reflect on your personal preferences, too: the climate and location, class sizes, curriculum design, and so on.

Remember that you’re choosing the institution where you’ll spend four years of your life, and your ultimate happiness will reflect in your academic success. You should make this decision for you — not anyone else.

If you’re a high schooler considering medicine, it’s important to pick a college that will support your pre-med dreams. Check out our list of the best schools for pre-meds , and use our free chancing engine to see your chances of acceptance to these schools. Sign up for your free CollegeVine account to get started!

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

Medical School vs Residency Comparison

• By Kevin Jubbal, M.D.
• March 28, 2024
• Medical Student
• Intern , Residency

While both are crucial aspects of your medical training, medical school and residency a very different. Learn about the key differences between med school and residency so that you can best prepare yourself for both types of training.

Medical School vs. Residency Differences

1 | Structure

The first key difference between medical school and residency is right there in the name. In medical school, you are in school. You’re a student paying tuition to earn your MD. In residency, you’re working a job. Yes, you’re a doctor, but you still need to hone your craft before you’re fully licensed, board certified, and can practice on your own without supervision.

During the first two years of medical school , you primarily learn in the classroom through didactics and small groups. In the last two years, you are on clinical rotations, where you learn how to apply principles to patient care, tune your ability to work in teams, and practice your bedside manner.

In residency, you’re no longer a student. You’re now a doctor with real responsibility. You take ownership of patients and are ultimately the one responsible for their care. All residents require attending physicians to supervise them and ensure quality care. As the years progress, you are expected to rely less and less on the supervision of attendings and be more independent. By the end of residency, you should be ready to take care of patients on your own out in the real world.

Medical school is generally 4 years. However, many students opt to take an additional year to conduct research or earn another degree, such as their master’s.

Residency length is highly variable and depends on your specialty. Generally, surgical specialties are longer than non-surgical specialties.

For example, the longest residency is neurosurgery at 7 years, although certain programs are 8 years due to a mandatory research year. I matched into plastic surgery, which is the second longest at 6 years, although a few programs also require a mandatory research year, extending that to 7. Internal medicine and pediatrics are on the shorter end, each at 3 years. While almost all residencies fall within 3-7 years, certain subspecialties require additional training in fellowship , which is essentially part 2 of residency.

3 | Grading & Evaluation

Although many medical schools are transitioning to a Pass/Fail grading system for the first two years, it is still insanely competitive to get into certain specialties.

The second two years of medical school are your clerkship years, which are generally graded on Honors/Pass/Fail, or some variation of the sort. If you want to go into a highly competitive specialty like plastic surgery , dermatology , or orthopedic surgery , you’ll need to work your butt off to earn an Honors grade. Clinical grades are usually based on a curve so that only a small percentage of the class can earn them, meaning you have to outshine your colleagues.

In this regard, medical school is much more stressful than residency. In residency, the pressure to outperform your peers is lower. There are no grades. You’ll take a yearly in-service exam specific to your specialty, and you’ll be evaluated by your attendings, but overall, it’s not as high-stakes.

4 | Cost & Finances

The most recent figures place the average medical school graduate debt at approximately $250,000 . This includes both college and medical school loans.

I have good news and bad news about residency. The good news is you’ll be making money and can start paying off your loans. The bad news is you’ll likely be making minimum payments and accruing significant interest since resident salaries are usually around $60,000 per year.

5 | Work-Life Balance

One of the biggest differences is how your schedule and time are structured. In med school, you have classes (many of which you can skip and watch online, or get notes from a friend) and later you have rotations, where, let’s be honest, if you need to leave early or take the day off for personal reasons, it’s almost always allowed.

But once you reach residency, your free time is no longer totally under your control. You receive a schedule of when you are expected to be at the hospital, whether it’s for a daytime shift or a 24 hour shift, and that is where you absolutely MUST be. You aren’t just required by your residency contract—you have patients whose lives and wellbeing depend on you.

You’ll start to discover that your time at the hospital doesn’t always end exactly on schedule the way a class would. If you’re operating on an emergency trauma patient and your shift is over, you don’t leave the operating room. You stay to finish the surgery and wait until care has been transitioned.

Learn more: Super Human Efficiency and How to Be Productive .

6 | Testing Knowledge & Skill

In medical school, I remember having frequent tests, but in residency, evaluations are much more informal. An intern might finish a surgery and the attending may say, “Great job, but next time, make sure not to pick up the needle with the forceps.”

Alternatively, attendings may coach resident physicians on medication choice, postoperative instructions, or a multitude of other aspects of patient care. All of these are ways to ultimately help a resident improve their skills and clinical judgment.

7 | Standardized Exams

And finally, there are standardized tests. In medical school, you’ll take Step 1 and Step 2 CK . In residency, you’ll just take Step 3 , then a yearly exam known as the In-Service, and finally, a formal licensing exam at the end of your training, which is known as the boards exam.

Bottom Line: You’re No Longer a Student

At the end of the day, the most important difference between medical school and residency is being a resident is the first time in your life that you are taking care of patients as their own doctor. You’re no longer a student. It can be stressful, tiring, and even frustrating, but, most importantly, being a resident is incredibly rewarding.

You’ve spent years and years of studying and hard work—first to get into a good college, then to get into medical school, and, finally, to match into a strong residency program.

Residency is the culmination of all of that hard work. This is the moment you’ve been waiting for—you’re finally becoming the doctor you’ve always dreamed of being.

Kevin Jubbal, M.D.

10 Residency Application Red Flags (Don’t Make These Mistakes!)

We break down 10 residency application red flags programs watch out for. Don’t make these mistakes!

Do You Get Paid in Residency? How Much Do Resident Doctors Make?

Learn how much resident doctors are paid, the hours they’re expected to work, and whether or not residents feel they’re fairly compensated.

2024-2025 Residency Application Timeline and Month-by-Month Schedule

We outline the residency application timeline you should follow, including key dates and an ideal month-by-month preparation schedule.

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Looking to the future and remembering my goal in stressed times I think will help a lot. Thanks for the tips and reminder

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Do medical schools have homework?

• Thread starter Mkif586
• Start date Oct 13, 2020

Full Member

• Oct 13, 2020

ok... so 1) medical school doesnt have the type of homework that you describe, but there IS stuff you have to do. I am sure that the amount of things to do depend on the specific school. Some would have less load, some more. But it is not like in undergrad. That being said, we do have things we do every week, - at least in my school we do. First of all, we have weekly quizes, secondly there are small groups every two weeks roughly, - during those small groups we answer the questions together as a group. There is usually a small essay once a course, or some sort of project (but it is not like in undergrad). That being said, those assignments are there to help you think critically, apply knowledge, and overall, make you a more well rounded physician. In my school at least (of course i can only speak to my personal experience) the stuff that we are doing assignments on are the MOST IMPORTANT concepts and application, stuff that we REALLY need to remember. And it really helps us retain the information better. Plus there is clinical skills, there are suturing classes once a semester, and a few other things. 2) what bothers me is that you are saying "i just realized that if medical school is something like that than i might think of another career". This makes me worried. Why DO you want to go to medical school? seriously. If it is to take care of the patients, than so what is 4 years of your life? It is just part of the process, you know? Do you want to go to medical school to be a doctor after it, or to be a medical student?  

Extremely little at my school, if any. Students are expected to do presentations or case reports, if that counts as homework. But these are uncommon. Med school Faculty (myself included) don't have the time to waste grading homework assignments!  

Goro said: Extremely little at my school, if any. Students are expected to do presentations or case reports, if that counts as homework. But these are uncommon. Med school Faculty (myself included) don't have the time to waste grading homework assignments! Click to expand...

M&L said: 2) what bothers me is that you are saying "i just realized that if medical school is something like that than i might think of another career". This makes me worried. Why DO you want to go to medical school? seriously. If it is to take care of the patients, than so what is 4 years of your life? It is just part of the process, you know? Do you want to go to medical school to be a doctor after it, or to be a medical student? Click to expand...

Goro said: Med school Faculty (myself included) don't have the time to waste grading homework assignments! Click to expand...

Blueprint Med School

Top mcat/usmle/comlex tutors answer your questions.

My time outside of lecture on schoolwork is (no exaggeration) 99% studying for exams and 1% "homework." This usually includes stuff like readings for our ethics courses.  

sparkysparkyboomman

• Oct 14, 2020

Eh not really “homework” but just a constant stream of studying and making sure to keep up with Anki reviews for the day. Some classes, like Clinical Medicine, you have to write up a SOAP note for, but I view these as a reprieve from the typical study grind, personally. It seems to depend on the school, though.  

biobukowski

Mkif586 said: Hey there. Do medical schools have homework? Given the amount of information that one needs to consume in med school, spending whole bunch of time every week doing projects, essays, discussions on special forums (with the thing I hate the most which is “RePLy tO at LeAsT 2 oF yoUr ClasSMaTeS wItH aT lEasT 2 sEnTencEs”), masteringphysics/biology/math/chem, lab reports, quizzes, and a lot of other staff that is most of time either a simple useless fight with eternally lagging system (though I spent hundreds of $$$ to get access code for it) or a huge waste of time spent to properly select ms word font, Margin, scaling, footnotes and thinking how to stretch something that would take me 1 sentence to answer to make it at least 2 pages of text or I will not get my points. (Sorry for my rant this is my last year of college and I just hope to get over it). So I just realized that If medical school is something like that than I might think of another career. Because I spend 2-3 hours every day doing stuff that carries 0 practical value, consumes time that could be spent on studying and just makes me wanting to smash the monitor every time I get 0 because the correct answer is 1/5 instead of .2. So back to the question - how bad is medical school’s homework? Click to expand...

I think the amount of “homework” is school dependent, but most schools have very little. Our school has weekly anatomy quizzes and case-based learning that requires pre-reading every two weeks, but the rest is studying for exams. However, if you’re not an independent learner and actively pre-studying for anatomy labs and those case-based lectures, you’re just wasting that time because you’re going to gain zero from it. One of the biggest shocks for me adjusting to medical school was that lectures were just intros to a topic, and we had to go teach ourselves the rest and make sure we understood it on our own. In undergrad the professors often didn’t move off a topic until everyone at least said they understood it.  

A Gimlet Eye

Mkif586 said: Do medical schools have homework? Click to expand...

Tennisgirl92

• Oct 16, 2020

You make your own homework. You have a test, what do you need to do to learn the material? Make charts, notes, Anki flash cards? You have to make a schedule and tasks. Work well in study groups? Do it. Don’t? Study alone. If lectures help you, listen. For a lot of people, they are too time consuming and superficial. Many lectures only touch on information that you need to know more fully and take precious time to listen to. granted, there are a few required tasks outside of exams. You may have mandatory small group sessions for discussion or working through a case which you will need to prepare for. For ethics, you may have to work through a case and write up a report. For clinical practice, you may have to write a SOAP note (just like a doctor). So the tedious tasks are not as much as undergrad, but the responsibility is much more.  

Mkif586 said: So I just realized that If medical school is something like that than I might think of another career. Because I spend 2-3 hours every day doing stuff that carries 0 practical value, consumes time that could be spent on studying and just makes me wanting to smash the monitor every time I get 0 because the correct answer is 1/5 instead of .2. So back to the question - how bad is medical school’s homework? Click to expand...

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Go to Grad School Guide: Medical School

Wondering if grad school is right for you? This week, we’re putting together a guide to the grad school experience, brought to you by those who know it best: current students and recent alums. Check in all week for an inside look at med school, law school, PhD programs, and more!

Ever thought about being a doctor? Four years of medical school and four (plus) years of residency is a long road, but if you’re passionate about making a difference in people’s heath and lives, it’s worth it. We sat down with three medical students and got an insider look at what med school is really like, plus some important insights for the application process.

Lauren Poindexter, 2nd Year

School : Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine

Undergrad : University of Southern California (BA in Fine Arts)

Background Before Med School : Worked as a student athletic trainer in college and grad school, went to University of Arkansas for grad school (MS in Kinesiology), worked at physician-owned orthopedic clinic, did pre-med work in late 20s at Harvard, was an MCAT instructor

Career Goal : Become a surgeon (still figuring out exactly what type)

Activities/Extra-curriculars : Playing softball league in Roanoke City, doing research in Blacksburg at Virginia Tech, teaching MCAT classes, doing outreach with undergrad pre-meds at Virginia Tech, Student Body Vice President, Christian Student Group leader

Why did you choose to get an MD?

I didn’t choose it as much as it chose me. For years, I was running away from medicine because it was big and scary. I didn’t think I was smart enough, I was concerned about the hours, and I was scared of insurance companies. But by working for an orthopedic office, I found that I enjoyed everything that the doctors did. All the concerns I had were laid to rest because of the different duties I had at work. I was dealing with insurance companies, and it was okay. I was at work until 11 PM, and it was okay. I was continually amazed and involved in whatever I possibly could be at work. I started to realize that this is my happy place—this is where I belong.

It was a scary decision to make, to give up this career I had started in athletic training. I could have done great things as an athletic trainer and stayed at this world-renowned orthopedic office, but I don’t think I would have been satisfied at the end of the day.

What tips do you have for someone applying to med school?

I would say do your homework, and that is twofold:

First, do you homework for your classes because you cannot do poorly in school and get into medical school. You can slip up here and there if you have a good excuse, but you really have to show that you are academically talented.

Second, read as much information about the process as you can from qualified sources. The AAMC puts out tons of valuable information for pre-med students—data, numbers, recommendations. Know as much as you can about the process before starting the process, because there are ways to get ahead, in a sense, if you know what to expect.

Know how much you’ll be spending on applications, know how much classes cost, know what the academic requirements are, know your own skills and where you stand in relationship to everybody else. I know people who spend thousands of dollars applying unsuccessfully to med school because they don’t take a rational look at what their skills are and what schools they would match up with. Don’t just throw your money away if there’s a way you can strategize.

What’s been the most challenging part of med school?

One is the sheer number of hours studying. I think I grossly underestimated how many hours I would spend outside of class studying. I’m used to working and being on my feet for 6-8 hours a day, not sitting on my butt. Having to sit for so many hours a day is literally painful—it drives me crazy.

The other thing is truly feeling like I don’t know anything. I came into school with a ton of clinical experience and teaching experience, but every day you realize how much you don’t know. It’s really humbling and it’s really hard. We were all the smartest kids at our school, but we all come here and feel totally mediocre.

What does your typical week look like?

Each week we have seven hour-long basic science lectures; four hours of basic science workshops or labs; about eight hours of small group, team-based learning a week; four and a half hours of dedicated research time; a number of interprofessionalism class hours; and about four hours a week of clinical skills instruction.

I want to say it comes out to a total of 50-70 hours a week of class and studying.

What have been your favorite classes?

I actually really love my research program, but the small-group learning is really unique. There’s no set paradigm that’s 100% successful, so a lot of medical schools are simultaneously trying to figure out the best way to do small group learning. The fact that we’re teaching each other topics, we’re choosing how we want to learn in our groups, we’re learning professional skills that will benefit us in the future—it’s actually really cool.

What are your ideal post-graduation plans?

My ideal would be to go into orthopedics, but I’m still not completely sure that’s what I should be doing for the rest of my life. I would love to stay in that type of field, but I haven’t done my rotations yet. So, my post-grad plans will depend heavily on how my rotations go my third and fourth year. They will also depend upon how I score on the US Medical Licensing Exam, which is between your second and third year.

Bonnie C., 4th Year

Background Before Grad School: College student

Career Goal: Ob/Gyn

Activities/Extra-curriculars: Global Health Club, American Medical Student Association, Spanish interpreter for a student-run clinic for the uninsured, participation in the student-run Social Medicine course

Why did you choose to go to med school? 

Throughout college, like most other pre-meds, I had a love of science and excelled at it. However, I also was fascinated by history, the social sciences, language, and culture, as one of my two majors was Spanish, so I always questioned taking the traditional route to med school.

The summer after my sophomore year, I spent some time working in a hospital in El Salvador. It was here that I came into contact with victims of their 13-year-long civil war. I saw patients with missing limbs, missing eyes, those still grieving loved ones, and those with PTSD still reliving traumatic memories. The hospital building was falling apart, there were syringes on the floor, and several stray cats that wandered around the grounds. One surgeon complained that the hospital lacked the resources for proper tools, so he made a lot of his surgical tools himself.

Most of the time, I just talked with patients and listened to their stories. It was the first time that I recognized how someone’s social situation, culture, and political and economic infrastructure could impact their state of health. Medicine was a field that combined all of my diverse interests, and I felt like I could make the largest impact in improving people’s lives, both here in the U.S. and internationally.

Why did you choose your school?

It serves a diverse population with a huge need. The school has always been committed to social medicine and global health, and it has well-established international opportunities in place for students. It has been funding students’ international projects long before global health became widely popular—in fact, the school has partially funded my trips to Peru, El Salvador, and Uganda, where I worked on various international health projects.

What’s been your favorite part of the experience so far?

My favorite part, which is rather atypical for med school, has been the opportunity to travel. I took a year off between my 3rd and 4th year and spent time working in El Salvador and Uganda. In El Salvador, I was working in a very rural general health clinic. In my free time, I gave talks to schoolchildren about menstruation, spoke to adults about family planning, and set up a Pap smear campaign in a remote village where travel to the clinic was difficult. In Uganda, I worked on an inpatient ward of a rural hospital and traveled to local villages giving women’s health talks and screening for chronic disease. Both opportunities allowed me to set up my own research projects and connect with people in the community. It’s the connections I’ve formed with patients both at home and abroad that have made the downsides of medicine worth it.

What’s been the most challenging part?

Feeling completely awkward and inadequate a lot of the time and learning to come to terms with that. As med students, we’re used to having the right answers and being in control. However, when you come to 3rd year of med school, you’re at the bottom, and you’re adjusting to a whole new system of learning, where you’re evaluated by the doctors. There are times when you can be up all night studying and come to the hospital in the morning ready to impress. However, if the doctor asks you a question that day on something you didn’t read about, you get it wrong, and everyone thinks you didn’t prepare. It’s like all that hard work the night before was for nothing. It’s completely nerve-wracking and can cause a lot of anxiety if you don’t accept criticism in stride.

The Ob/Gyn rotation! Ob/Gyn is a diverse field in that it allows you to do surgery as well as have continuity of care in clinic. You get to see women at the happiest times in their lives and at those times when they are the most scared, such as an unwanted pregnancy or diagnosis of cancer.

If you want to be a doctor for the money, go into business or law. If you want to be a doctor for the pure love of science, go into research. To go into medicine, you need to have a certain passion. Something needs to drive you beyond money and power and knowledge—otherwise, it’s really not worth it. There are easier ways to satisfy those needs.

I know everyone hears stories of the difficulty of medicine and physician burnout and it’s hard to comprehend as an undergraduate. These stories are true. At least take time to think about it. Take a year off after college. Work on something completely different. See the world, if possible, and make your own judgments about it. Being a doctor requires that you like people, so meet new people and get to know them. If at the end of this time, you find that you do have the pure compassion and unadulterated drive to want to make a substantial positive impact in people’s lives, submit your applications. But always remember that compassion because there will inevitably be times during med school when you may falter and may need a reminder of why you entered the field to begin with.

Always remember your friends and family—they will keep you sane. Stay calm. If you make a mistake, shake it off and move on . Have a sense of humor and don’t be too proud to laugh at yourself because you’ll come across some situations in med school that are just ridiculous. Stay humble. Most of all, remember the patients’ struggles and keep them as your #1 motivation to continue learning.

Allegra Long, 4th Year

School: Keck School of Medicine of USC

Undergrad: Yale

Background Before Grad School: Modern dancer, choreographer

Career Goal: Emergency Medicine

Activities/Extra-curriculars: Yoga, volunteer coordinator for a documentary on the LA County Emergency Department, but mostly just applying to residency!

Why did you choose to go to med school?

I have always loved math and science, so pursuing a degree in hard science in college was a natural choice. Once I started working in a lab, however, I learned that a PhD was not the path for me—I needed more direct interaction with people. Medicine involves complicated problem solving, working with your hands, collaborating with nurses and various specialists, and hearing stories of people from all walks of life.

Why did you choose USC?

I chose USC largely because the training is at LA County Hospital, which primarily serves an underserved and uninsured population, is a Level 1 trauma center, and allows students to be exposed to an unbelievably wide range of pathology. Almost more importantly though, on my interview day in January, medical students were outside playing volleyball in the sun. I’m from LA originally, so the opportunity to go back to California and be close to home didn't hurt.

Apply as early as possible! And pay attention to the hospital affiliated with the school: What is the patient population? Is it a major trauma center? How much autonomy do the residents and students have?

What do you wish you had known about med school before coming?  

Medical school is hard and becomes your #1 priority. I learned this pretty quickly, but it is certainly not like college.

I love being in the hospital. The first two years (or one and a half at some schools) are spent in the classroom, and the rest of the time is spent working in the hospital. I have especially loved finding the perfect specialty for me, Emergency Medicine.

What’s been the biggest surprise?

What I liked learning about in the classroom did not correspond to what I liked doing in the hospital.

It depends on the rotation! The average is 6 AM to 6 PM, six days per week. However, surgical rotations usually have longer hours, and 4th year electives usually have shorter hours.

Have your post-graduation plans changed since you first started medical school?

I never saw myself in Emergency Medicine. I thought I would have my own medical practice rooted in combining Eastern and Western medicine and have long-term relationships with patients. Then, once I started working in the hospital, I realized how much I love Emergency Medicine: fast-paced, diverse, and exciting.

My next step is a residency in Emergency Medicine, then, possibly a fellowship. Maybe just a full-time job as an attending, possibly working in an academic center, possibly in a smaller community hospital. I will figure that one out sometime in the next four years of residency!

Photo of medical student courtesy of Shutterstock .

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So try to give a personal twist on why you decided you to want to be a doctor. This will make you more memorable.

3. Why do you want to go to our medical school?

The answer might be simple in your mind: “Because you’re the only school that is interviewing me!” Please don’t say that. Do your homework about the school. Look at the school’s website and their residency match list, and pick out things you can talk about.

Do some research about the hospitals that they are affiliated with. Try to find well-known alumni of the school, and discuss their paths to medicine and how you may want to follow. Cite specific programs and local opportunities, as well as any support system you have in the area.

4. Why do you think our medical school would be a good fit for you?

This will take some time on your part, similar to the last question. Learn about the school. Learn about their faculty, their facilities, and their affiliated hospitals. Do they have a nice, quiet location that will help you study, or are they in a busy city? In which environment will you be able to study effectively and succeed?

5. What would you do if you weren’t accepted to medical school?

Know your application. Be able to discuss how you’ll strengthen your application if you aren’t accepted the first time. As an example, some applicants who get rejected will do research or get a job in health care as an EMT or medical assistant, then reapply in a year or two. Also, have an answer prepared for whether or not you would consider another profession if you didn’t get into medical school.

6. What do you think are the biggest problems with our current health care system?

It is very important to stay abreast of current events in health care when on the interview trail. With all the debate over health care in the U.S. today, there may be national news that interviewers want you to talk about. Being a physician today requires a lot more business savvy than ever before.

It’s great if you know how health care works and have ideas about how it could be fixed. Listen to this podcast episode for an overview of the Affordable Care Act and some issues being debated in health care in recent years.

7. What do you think are the most important characteristics of a physician?

You might think “everything about me, obviously,” but again, this is not the right answer. Think about what you would want in a physician treating one of your family members. Would you want a hard worker, someone who is the smartest person around, or maybe just somebody who cares?

Whatever you think it is, answer honestly. Then back it up with why you think that. For some ideas, listen to my podcast episode about the top habits and attitudes of humanistic physicians .

8. Discuss your clinical experiences.

If you’re like me, you won’t remember too much from your clinical experiences without keeping a journal. (My wife tells me I don’t have the best memory.) So keep a journal of your clinical experiences. While you are shadowing or volunteering in a clinic, at some point each day, write down everything you did and everything you saw.

Was there one particularly interesting patient? A rare diagnosis? Did the doctor let you do anything for the first time? If so, how did that make you feel? Not only are these great experiences to talk about during your interview, but they make memories which you can draw upon for your personal statement .

9. Discuss your research experiences.

Similar to the tip for the last question, journal about all of your research accomplishments along the way. Don’t just talk about the results. Be able to talk about the journey. Discuss any mistakes that you were able to overcome. It’s easy to look at the end result of research, but it’s the path to that result that will be more memorable and make you stand out.

10. Ethical questions about abortion, euthanasia, and stem cell research.

These are some of the more popular questions to ask because they allow the interviewer to get a sense of your thinking and your beliefs. There are no right answers here. Remember, though, as a physician you may be treating people with different beliefs than you.

You need to be able to communicate that while you have your beliefs, you understand that not everybody shares them, and you can still respect and treat those patients equally and to the best of your ability. For more discussion of medical ethics questions you might be asked, listen to this podcast episode .

More Common Medical School Interview Questions

Even with the ten questions above, we still didn’t cover “tell me about yourself” or “what are your greatest strengths?” For more medical school interview questions, check out “ 5 Common Med School Interview Questions and How to Answer Them .”

Links and Other Resources

• Check out my book about the medical school interview: The Premed Playbook: Guide to the Medical School Interview .
• Related episode: How Should I Approach the “Blind” Medical School Interview?
• Related episode: Do I Have to Know Laws or Specific Medicine for the MMI?
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Applying to Medical School

New section, medical school admission requirements™ (msar®).

Browse, search, sort, and compare information about med schools.

Find the support you need to prepare for the MCAT ® exam, decide which medical schools best fit your needs, understand the medical school application process, take the PREview ® exam, use the AMCAS ®  application to apply, and more. 

Premed Calendar

This calendar provides dates and important deadlines for all the AAMC Premed Services. You can also subscribe to individual calendars using Google Calendar.

The AAMC Fee Assistance Program assists those who, without financial assistance, would be unable to take the MCAT exam, apply to medical schools that use the AMCAS system, and more.

The American Medical College Application Service® (AMCAS application) is the AAMC centralized medical school application processing service. Most U.S. medical schools use the AMCAS application as the primary application method for their first-year entering classes.

Before you are accepted to medical school, you will have some admissions-related costs to plan for, including the AMCAS® application service and the MCAT® exam.

• August 12, 2024