Becoming a well-trained and practicing doctor is a dream for many, but the road to medical school is often long and challenging, requiring a great deal of preparation to fulfill the medical school prerequisites. Therefore, acing medical school prerequisites is imperative for an applicant to attend a recognized and accreditated medical school. Doing well in your medical school prereqs is important for several reasons, particularly in the current landscape of rising competition for medical school admission. Every year, more and more students apply to medical schools, making the competition for admission even fiercer. Therefore, excelling in medical school requirements can give you a competitive edge in admissions.
Here are tips and strategies straight from the admission experts that can help you secure a seat at medical school to pursue higher education in medicine.
Increase your academic standards
The Doctor of Medicine or MD program is a postgraduate degree program that requires applicants to have a bachelor’s degree in a relevant major. Moreover, medical schools have higher academic standards so applicants need to maintain a higher GPA score that can demonstrate a strong academic record.
Prerequisite coursework
If you have decided to attend medical school, you must know about the prerequisite courses required for admission. A medical school applicant must complete certain courses as pre-medical requirements for admission. These include a one-year general biology course with a laboratory component, one year of inorganic and organic chemistry with a laboratory component, and at least one year of college-level English literature or composition.
In addition, applicants should have a broad background in humanities, social sciences or physical sciences, and computer skills. Exceptions may be considered on an individual basis. Students pursuing additional coursework in biological sciences such as genetics, embryology, cell, molecular biology, or comparative anatomy are encouraged.
Prepare well for the MCAT
MCAT stands for Medical College Admission Test. It is a standardized, computer-based exam required for admission to most medical schools in the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean. The MCAT is designed to assess an applicant’s readiness for medical school by testing their knowledge and skills in four main areas:
- Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills
- Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior
- Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems
- Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
Begin preparing for the MCAT well in advance. The test covers vast amounts of material, so give yourself ample time to study and review all the required topics thoroughly. A high MCAT score can give you an edge over competitors and help you stand out.
Patient care experience
Patient care experience is not mandatory but can be a distinguishing factor during admission to medical school. It also helps prospective students to understand the healthcare field firsthand and develop the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in medical school and beyond. Patient care experience can make you a strong applicant, increasing your chances of getting selected. Though not all medical schools look for patient care experience, having experience with patients and real hospital settings is advisable.
To successfully meet the prerequisites for medical school, prospective students must be well-prepared and informed about the requirements. By following the tips and strategies outlined in this guide, students can maximize their chances of acing their prerequisites and ultimately achieving their goal of becoming a medical doctor.
