Medical school requirements aren’t just hurdles you have to overcome; they are your gateway to a career in medicine! Even if you're eyeing an easy medical school to get into , you'll still need to meet criteria like prerequisite courses, grades, and MCAT scores. In this blog, we’ll break down exactly what you need to know, offering practical tips to help you check off every requirement and create an application the admissions committee simply can’t ignore.
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Article Contents 1 min readWe’ve compiled a list of medical school admission requirements ( MSAR ) to guide you through the application process. If you are gearing up for the next admissions cycle or just beginning to consider medical school, bookmark this list and refer to it often. It will help you stay on track and give you a competitive edge when it comes to submitting a well-rounded and impressive application!
Are you applying to DO and MD schools? Check out the DO school requirements .
Medical School Requirement #1: Undergraduate Degree and MajorWhen it comes to applying for medical school, you'll need to have an undergraduate degree. If you're wondering, “ Can I get into med school straight out of high school ?” the answer is generally no. Most medical programs prefer or require some college experience before you apply.
But don't worry—your premed degree doesn't have to be in science . Medical schools are open to students with diverse academic backgrounds, as long as you meet the required coursework and have strong test scores and GPA.
Choosing the right premed major can be confusing. There's no single best major for medical school, but some fields might give you a stronger foundation in the prerequisites. If you're curious about how different majors impact your chances of acceptance, check out our blog post on medical school acceptance rates by major .
Medical School Requirement #2: GPA
To improve your chances of getting into medical school, you need to aim to meet or exceed the average GPA of successful applicants.
Medical school acceptance rates highlight the importance of meeting GPA requirements —this is one of the first factors admissions officers consider. If your GPA doesn’t meet medical school standards, your application won’t advance, no matter how strong the rest of it is.
Dr. Jamie Cazes, one of our admissions experts and a graduate of the University of Toronto medical school , applied to both Canadian and American medical schools. He found that individual schools treat your academic scores—your GPA and MCAT—differently across the board, although a competitive score is always best.
While some medical schools have low accepted GPAs —for instance, the Meharry Medical College has a median GPA of 3.58—a lower GPA can limit the number of schools that will review your application, decreasing your chances of acceptance.
Also, be wary of basing your required GPA on the minimum GPA requirements for individual medical schools. Just because a medical school has an acceptable GPA threshold of 2.5, this does not mean you will be a successful applicant with a GPA below 3.0. A higher GPA will always help you be a more competitive candidate.
Pro Tip: If your GPA isn't where you want it to be, focus on improving your premed GPA and creating an upward trend in your grades. Admissions committees often look favorably on students who show consistent improvement over time, even if their overall GPA isn't perfect.
The average MCAT score for accepted medical school applicants is around 511. Generally, a competitive MCAT score ranges between 510 and 520, though this can vary depending on the medical school’s average accepted scores. Unless you’re applying exclusively to medical schools that don’t require the MCAT , you'll need a strong score.
After your GPA, the Medical College Admissions Test ( MCAT ) is the next major indicator of your academic ability and readiness for medical school. The MCAT plays a critical role in the admissions process because it provides a standardized measure of your knowledge and critical thinking skills across key scientific disciplines.
While a high MCAT score significantly strengthens your application, it does not guarantee acceptance. Medical schools consider a range of factors, including your personal statement, extracurricular activities, and letters of recommendation. However, a low MCAT score can be a red flag, potentially overshadowing other strong aspects of your application.
Pro Tip: To maximize your chances of a high MCAT score, start your preparation early and create a structured study plan . Focus on your weaker areas while reinforcing your strengths, and take an MCAT diagnostic test to determine your baseline score. Utilize reputable prep materials and, if needed, seek out an MCAT prep course or tutoring.
Medical School Requirement #4: Prerequisites
Medical school prerequisites vary significantly; some schools mandate specific courses, while others, like UCLA Medical School, have no required prerequisites , but do recommend certain subjects. It's crucial to distinguish between required courses and recommended courses, which are not mandatory but will enhance your candidacy.
These courses are typically required or highly recommended by most medical schools, though the specifics can vary. Always check with the schools you are interested in to confirm the required and suggested prerequisites.
Dr. Jamie Cazes, one of our admissions experts, advises choosing your undergrad courses carefully and always checking the prerequisites for every program you apply to:
Pro Tip: To ensure you meet all the prerequisites, use the AAMC Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR) tool and regularly check the official admissions websites of the schools you’re interested in. Keep a checklist of required and recommended courses, and plan your schedule accordingly. Additionally, consider how each course fits into your overall academic plan—prioritize classes where you can excel to maintain a strong GPA, and don’t hesitate to reach out to admissions offices for clarification on course requirements.
Medical School Requirement #5: Personal Statement and Essays
Medical schools require a variety of admissions essays, including the medical school personal statement . Your personal statement is used to gauge your writing and communication skills, and to learn more about who you are as an applicant and why you want to become a doctor .
Your personal statement is the cornerstone of your medical school application , so it needs to be well-written and carefully crafted if you want your application to stand out .
Connect your experiences and motivations to your desire to pursue a medical career. Avoid generic statements and focus on what genuinely drives you. Additionally, revise your statement multiple times to polish your writing and ensure it’s free of errors. A well-crafted personal statement can be the difference between a good application and a great one.
Dr. Neel Mistry, one of our admissions experts, emphasizes the intent behind the personal statement:
Extracurriculars for medical school include activities directly related to medical school and those that are not related to medicine but can speak to your diversity as an applicant. These experiences are one of the best ways to set yourself apart from other candidates by demonstrating your commitment and growth personally and professionally.
Your extracurriculars and experiences are captured on your medical school application in the AMCAS work and activities section (for allopathic med school applicants), the AACOMAS activities section (for osteopathic med school applicants) and the TMDSAS activities section (for applicants to Texas medical schools). Depending on where you are applying, get to know how to craft these parts of your application and how to choose the experiences you want to highlight.
Many medical schools are seeking premeds with the right type of experiences that have prepared them to become a doctor and demonstrate a passion for the field of medicine. The most common experiences found in medical school requirements are clinical experience , volunteering , and research .
When choosing your extracurriculars for medical school, focus on quality over quantity.
Consistency and long-term commitment to your activities will show that you're not just trying to pad your resume but are genuinely invested in the path to becoming a doctor. Admissions committees are looking for depth and genuine engagement, not just a checklist of activities.
Medical School Requirement #7: Letters of Recommendation
Medical schools typically require two to five recommendation letters, with three being the most common. Generally, you'll need three individual letters (two from science professors and one from a non-science professor) and/or a committee letter. Medical school recommendation letters are a critical component of your application, offering insight into your academic abilities, growth, and character.
Dr. Monica Taneja, MD, one of our admissions experts and a graduate from the University of Maryland medical school, emphasizes the importance of building relationships with your professors to secure strong letters.
Pro Tip: If you’re asked to write your own letter of recommendation , see it as an opportunity to highlight your achievements and strengths from a third-party perspective. Write a detailed and authentic letter focusing on your growth, dedication, and specific contributions. Then, give your draft to your recommender for their review and final touches. This collaborative approach ensures the letter is both accurate and impactful.
Medical School Requirement #8: Secondary Applications
Secondary applications help medical schools to gather additional information not included in the primary application. Most schools send these secondaries to either all applicants or those who pass an initial screening, and students typically have 2 to 4 weeks to complete them.
The secondary application includes essays, and the number of prompts and requirements vary by school. The secondary essay prompts are usually available on each school’s website. Some prompts include “ why this medical school ?”, the diversity secondary essay , or the gap year secondary essay .
Check out medical school secondary essay examples to see the most common type of prompts so you can work on answering them confidently and effectively.
Start drafting your secondary essays before you receive the prompts. By pre-writing responses to common themes or questions, you can reduce your workload when actual secondary applications arrive. Focus on crafting flexible essays that can be adapted to different prompts. This strategic approach helps you manage your time better and ensures that you’re prepared to submit high-quality essays for each school.
Dr. Monica Taneja, MD, one of our admissions consultants, says pre-writing is an effective way to cut down on the workload of secondaries:
Acuity Insights , which includes both the CASPer test and the Duet assessment, is a multi-component assessment that is a part of the application selection process for many professional programs, including medical schools.
CASPer is a situational judgment test designed to assess your non-academic qualities like empathy, ethical decision-making, and communication skills, which are critical for a successful career in medicine. If you’re new to the CASPer test, you’re not alone. Many premed students are surprised by this part of the application process. And no, CASPer isn’t a scary ghost—it just feels that way when you’re first introduced to it!
Medical schools use the Duet assessment to evaluate how your values and preferences align with their program's characteristics and culture. It works by having you rank various aspects of medical education and practice, such as clinical settings and teaching styles. This alignment helps schools identify candidates who will thrive in their specific environment.
Pro Tip: For the CASPer test, focus on practicing situational judgment questions to develop a clear and consistent approach to ethical and interpersonal scenarios. Use CASPer sample questions to familiarize yourself with the format and time constraints. Learn how the CASPer test is scored and strategies to help you tackle different scenarios.
For the Duet assessment, understand its purpose and format to see how your values align with the program’s culture. Reflect on your experiences and values honestly rather than tailoring your responses, as authenticity is key. Familiarity with the school’s program will help you approach the assessment confidently and provide a genuine reflection of your fit.
Medical School Requirement #10: Medical School Interviews
Lastly, medical school interviews are the final hurdle in the medical school application process. If you are invited for an interview, this is your chance to speak to the admissions officers directly, make a strong impression, and secure an acceptance letter.
Medical school interviews are usually conducted in a traditional panel format or the Multiple Mini Interview ( MMI ) format. Be sure to check which one to expect and start preparing with mock medical school interviews ! Review the different types of MMI questions you’ll encounter, and how to answer common medical school interview questions .
Pro Tip: To prepare for medical school interviews, especially in the MMI format, practice responding to scenarios with a structured approach: identify the issue, discuss possible solutions, and justify your choice. Use a framework like the "STAR" method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to clearly articulate your experiences and decisions. Incorporate personal anecdotes that reflect your unique experiences and values, and practice delivering these responses under timed conditions to simulate real interview pressure. This focused practice will help you give clear, impactful answers that leave a strong, positive impression on interviewers. Investing in med school interview prep can help you practice!
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Here are some tips on how to get into medical school!
You will need to meet the minimum GPA requirements, the minimum MCAT score requirement, complete all prerequisite courses and lab work, submit recommendation letters and have strong extracurriculars. Some medical schools may also require you to complete the CASPer test, secondary application essays and attend an admissions interview.
Yes, most osteopathic and allopathic medical schools have the same requirements in general, although requirements can still vary from school to school. DO school rankings show that GPA and MCAT score requirements are more relaxed.
Meeting all the medical school requirements does not guarantee an interview invite. If you do get invited to interview, you must know how to prepare for your med school interview and go over common medical school interview questions that can be incorporated into any interview format.
Our number one advice regarding extracurriculars is to research your schools of choice to find out what kind of experiences previous year’s matriculants had. You can find this information through MSAR or on the school’s website.
No, it does not. Admissions committees pay much more attention to the quality of your application components, scores, experiences, letters of recommendation, and essays.
Make sure to ask someone who will give you outstanding recommendations. Most medical schools will ask for a letter from one science referee, one from a non-science referee, and one referee of your choice.
You should apply to 15 to 20 medical schools. Do not apply to over 20 schools. Additionally, apply to schools where you know your GPA and MCAT scores meet the expected averages.
You can apply to a couple of schools that have higher averages but try not to have too many “reach schools”. There are schools that weed out applicants in the initial stages of the application review process based on grades and scores.
Most medical schools ask for 2 semesters each of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, with lab, along with 1 semester of Math and 2 semesters of English. In addition to these mandatory requirements, they may ask for additional recommended courses.
Personal statements are crucial as they provide insight into your motivations, experiences, and suitability for a career in medicine. A compelling and well-crafted personal statement can significantly enhance your application and help you stand out.
Yes, research experience can be beneficial as it demonstrates critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and a commitment to the scientific method. While not mandatory, it can strengthen your application and provide valuable insights into medical research.
