Premed Students

All the resources you need to prepare for med school!

Medical School Requirements
Study Materials for the MCAT
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How to become a strong med school candidate
Apply for medical school
Taking the MCAT
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Paying for medical school

Becoming a medical doctor in the United States is a rigorous process that involves several steps. Here’s an overview of the typical pathway:

Complete an Undergraduate Education

  • Bachelor's Degree: You’ll need to earn a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. Most medical schools do not require a specific major, but courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and math are essential.

  • Pre-medical Courses: Complete the prerequisite courses required by medical schools, which typically include biology, chemistry (both general and organic), physics, and often biochemistry.

  • Extracurricular Activities: Gain experience in the medical field through volunteering, shadowing doctors, and participating in research projects.

Take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)

  • MCAT Exam: This standardized test assesses problem solving, critical thinking, and knowledge of natural, behavioral, and social science concepts and principles prerequisite to the study of medicine.

  • Preparation: Most students spend several months preparing for the MCAT. High scores are crucial for competitive medical school applications.

Apply to Medical School

  • Choose Schools: Apply to multiple medical schools. Consider factors like the school’s curriculum, location, and fit for your career goals.

  • Primary Application: Most U.S. medical schools require applicants to submit a primary application through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS).

  • Secondary Applications: Once a medical school receives your primary application, they may invite you to submit a secondary application with additional essays and information.

  • Interviews: If your applications are successful, schools will invite you for interviews.

Complete Medical School

  • Duration: Medical school typically lasts four years. The first two years generally focus on classroom and laboratory education, while the last two years involve clinical rotations under the supervision of practicing physicians.

  • United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE): During medical school, you will need to pass the first two parts of the USMLE, commonly known as Step 1 and Step 2.

Residency

  • Match Process: After graduating from medical school, you enter a residency program in your chosen specialty through the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). Residencies can last from three to seven years, depending on the specialty.

  • USMLE Step 3: Typically taken during the first year of residency, this is the final step of the USMLE and is required to practice medicine independently.

Board Certification and Licensure

  • Obtain Licensure: To practice medicine, doctors must be licensed by the medical board in the state where they intend to work.

  • Board Certification: After completing residency, you may choose to become board certified in your specialty, which involves passing an exam and meeting certain professional standards.

Continuing Medical Education

  • Lifelong Learning: Physicians are required to continue learning throughout their careers to maintain their licensure and board certification through Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits.

This pathway requires dedication and many years of education, but it can lead to a rewarding career in medicine, offering numerous opportunities to help others and make a significant impact on public health.