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You will find in the article below, necessary information on medical schools admissions, harvard medical school requirements & medical school admission requirements. All you just have to do is read on.
You will also find related posts on undergraduate requirements for medical school, medical school admission requirements pdf & medical school requirements canada
On collegelearners.
MEDICAL SCHOOL PREREQUISITES
A bachelor’s degree with a strong science background is a med school prerequisite. Below are the required courses for med school.
- Biology: 1 year (8 credit hours)
- General Chemistry: 1 year (8 credit hours)
- Organic Chemistry†: 1 year (8 credit hours)
- General Physics*: 1 semester (4 credit hours)
All course include laboratory
* Statistics or Calculus can be substituted for Physics.
† Biochemistry can be used to substitute for Organic Chemistry.
Selecting a medical school will be one of your most significant decisions. Over the years, we have helped thousands of applicants navigate the application process and select the medical schools that fits best their goals and preferences.
Admissions Products
In addition to the many free resources we offer aspiring medical students, the AAMC has developed products designed to help you make well-informed, strategic decisions:
Medical School Admission Requirements™ (MSAR®) for U.S. and Canada (Online)
The Official Guide to Medical School Admissions: How to Prepare for and Apply to Medical School
Medical School Admission Requirements™ (MSAR®) Premium Package 1-Year Subscription
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— One-Year Subscription
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Free Resources
Tools for Medical School Applicants
Free resources to help guide you through the medical school application process.
Premed Worksheets
Assess where you are in your journey by using these worksheets. They’ll help you keep track of your coursework and plan for interviews.
Admissions Requirements
Information about premedical coursework requirements and recommendations, and data sources for the Medical School Admission Requirements.
Medical School Admissions Timeline
Medical school admissions timeline
As a traditional medical school applicant, you will prepare for and apply to medical school during college and enter a program directly upon graduation. In addition to your science-heavy course load, graduation requirements, and extracurriculars , you now must juggle (1) preparing for and taking the MCAT and (2) applying to medical schools.
We know it feels like you have a lot on your plate. Follow this schedule to stay on track with your pre-med requirements , MCAT prep , and completing your med school applications. (We’ve got tips for non-traditional applicants , too!).
Keep in mind that the courses below represent only the minimum requirements for admission to most medical school programs. You can use this timeline as a general guide, but always double-check admission requirements for the schools you are considering.
First Year
Academics
One year of general chemistry
One year of calculus
One year of biology
One semester of English
Introductory major requirements (optional)
Extracurriculars
Explore all the various specialties of medical practice.
Begin a health care related volunteer program, job, or internship.
Research academic societies, pre-med clubs, and other student organizations and consider joining one.
Applications
Visit your school’s pre-med advisor, review course requirements, and create a pre-medical game plan.
Continue investigating medicine. Is it right for you? What are your personal and academic goals?
Build relationships with professors who can later serve as mentors, offer you the opportunity to participate in research, or write recommendations on your behalf.
Sophomore Year
Academics
One year of organic chemistry
One semester of psychology or sociology
Other introductory major requirements
Extracurriculars
Did you have a positive first-year experience? If so, continue with the same extracurricular activity.
If you didn’t enjoy it or were not sufficiently challenged, begin a new one immediately.
Applications
Toward the end of the year, begin researching medical school programs .
Continue seeking relationships with professors and begin a list of those who might write your recommendations.
Fall of Junior Year
Academics
One year of physics
One year of biochemistry
Begin upper division major course work.
Applications
Continue doing research to find schools that are a good fit for you.
Identify and contact potential recommenders. It’s a great idea to write a brief profile or bio about yourself to help your recommenders write the best letter possible.
MCAT
Start thinking MCAT . This high-stakes exam requires knowledge of biology, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics. You must really prepare to do well. To gauge your performance, take a free MCAT practice test .
Register for the MCAT at aamc.org . (The basic fee is $300, with additional charges for re-scheduling and other services.)
Make arrangements for your MCAT prep .
NOTE: Timing is an important factor with the MCAT. The field of applicants grows more crowded as the admissions season advances. Therefore, the earlier you sit for the MCAT, the better off you’ll be. Even if you complete the remainder of your application early, the vast majority of medical schools will not closely consider your candidacy until they have a copy of your MCAT scores.
Spring of Junior Year
Academics
Continue upper division major course work
Application Prep
Begin drafting your personal statement in early spring.
Request applications from non-AMCAS medical schools in April.
Collect letters of recommendation to send in September of your senior year.
MCAT
Take the MCAT no later than mid-May to receive your scores in June.
If you are dissatisfied with your score, register for the next exam (while there is still time) and create a plan to get the score you need.
Read More: Upcoming MCAT Dates
Summer Before Senior Year
Applications
Finalize the list of schools you will apply to and complete the AMCAS application .
You may start the primary application process as early as April and, ideally, you should complete it by June or July. Regular deadlines stretch between now and December (If you apply through the Early Decision Program (EDP) , the deadline is August 1). If you want to be considered seriously for a position, you’ll want to submit all application materials no later than September.
Research financial aid options.
MCAT
Pre-meds who did not take the MCAT earlier or want to retake the exam should take the MCAT as early in the summer as possible.
Senior Year
Academics
Finish remaining premed requirements.
Finish remaining major/university requirements.
Take upper-division or graduate-level courses in medically related subjects such as physiology, histology, pharmacology, and anatomy, if you have time. This will allow you some breathing room during the first two years of medical school.
Applications
Do more comprehensive research about the medical schools to which you applied.
If a med school likes your candidacy, they will send you their own secondary application . You’ll have some essays to write. Give yourself enough time to revise and to allow someone else (a good writer) to read them.
Send thank you notes to your recommenders—it’s the perfect way to gently remind them to get on this task if they haven’t already.
Submit the FAFSA.
Prepare for interviews , which typically take place in the fall, winter, and, at some schools, early spring.
Interview and wait for decision letters!
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