📚 Prerequisites
The science courses required for almost every medical school. Complete these with the highest grades you can — they form your science GPA.
"The secret of getting ahead is getting started." — Mark Twain
General Chemistry I + Lab
Foundation for everything. Focus on moles, stoichiometry, acid-base, and bonding. Go to every office hour — gen chem professors are usually the most approachable. Use Khan Academy for tough topics. Make flashcards for periodic table trends.
General Chemistry II + Lab
Equilibrium, thermodynamics, kinetics, electrochemistry. Practice problems matter more than re-reading notes. If you struggled in Gen Chem I, get a tutor early — don't wait until the midterm.
Biology I + Lab
Cell biology, genetics, molecular biology. This is the "memorization" course — use Anki from day one. Understand the central dogma (DNA → RNA → Protein) cold. Draw out pathways by hand.
Biology II + Lab
Evolution, ecology, physiology, organ systems. Less memorization, more conceptual. Connect concepts to human health — that's how the MCAT tests it.
Organic Chemistry I + Lab
The "weed-out" course. Start studying from day one, not week three. Draw every mechanism by hand repeatedly. Professor Dave and The Organic Chemistry Tutor on YouTube are lifesavers. Form a study group — orgo is not a solo sport.
Organic Chemistry II + Lab
Carbonyl chemistry, spectroscopy, synthesis. Build on orgo I — if you learned mechanisms well, orgo II is actually easier. Practice NMR/IR problems weekly. Synthesis problems = connect the dots, not memorize every reaction.
Physics I + Lab
Mechanics, energy, waves, fluids. It's math-heavy — practice problems daily. Don't just memorize formulas, understand WHEN to use each one. Draw free body diagrams for every problem. The MCAT physics is conceptual, so understand the "why."
Physics II + Lab
Electricity, magnetism, circuits, optics. More abstract than Physics I. Circuits and optics are heavily tested on the MCAT. Draw circuit diagrams. Use simulations (PhET) to visualize fields.
Biochemistry
The most important MCAT course. Amino acids (memorize all 20 + properties), metabolism (glycolysis, TCA, ETC), enzyme kinetics. Take this as close to your MCAT as possible. Use Anki — the MileDown deck covers biochem heavily.
Math (Calculus or Statistics)
Stats is more practical for research and interpreting studies. Calculus is required by some schools — check your target schools' requirements. Either way, get comfortable with data interpretation.
Psychology
A full MCAT section (Psych/Soc). Learn the major theories, disorders, and experiments. The 300-page KA P/S doc + Anki is the gold standard for MCAT psych prep. Take this course — don't try to self-study it.
Sociology
Paired with psych on the MCAT. Focus on social structures, inequality, demographics. Easier than psych but still tested. The 300-page doc covers both psych and soc.
English / Writing
Strong writing = better CARS score, better personal statement, faster secondaries. Read dense passages regularly (scientific papers, philosophy, social science). Practice summarizing arguments in your own words.
Post-bacc students: You can complete all of these in 2 years. Typical load: 2 science courses + labs per semester. Summer sessions help you finish faster.
Break it down. Don't think "13 courses." Think "this semester, I'm taking Gen Chem and Bio." One semester at a time.
📎 Study Resources
🏥 Clinical Experience
Direct patient contact experience. Aim for 200+ hours. Quality matters more than quantity — reflect on what you see.
"The good physician treats the disease; the great physician treats the patient who has the disease." — William Osler
Find a clinical role
CNA, EMT, scribe, hospital volunteer, OR assistant, patient care tech — pick one that gives patient contact.
Reach 50 hours
You're getting comfortable. Start noticing patterns in patient interactions.
Reach 100 hours
Write reflections. What moments stuck with you? What confirmed medicine for you?
Reach 200+ hours
Competitive for most MD/DO programs. Keep going if you can.
Get a strong letter of recommendation
From a physician or supervisor who's watched you interact with patients.
How to find opportunities: Call your local hospital's volunteer office. Check Indeed for "medical scribe" or "patient care tech." Ask your pre-med advisor. Ask physicians you shadow.
Scheduling tip: Even 4 hours/week adds up to 200 hours in a year. Block it on your calendar like a class — same day, same time each week.
For PA applicants: You need 1,000-3,000+ patient care hours. Start early and aim for paid roles (CNA, EMT) that give you volume.
👨⚕️ Shadowing
Observe physicians (and other providers) in their daily work. Aim for 50+ hours across at least 3 specialties.
"Observation is the most enduring of the pleasures of life." — George Meredith
Primary Care / Family Medicine
See the full spectrum of patient care.
Surgery (any sub-specialty)
Fast-paced, procedural. Great for seeing teamwork.
Emergency Medicine
High acuity, variety, adrenaline.
Specialty of your interest
Anesthesiology, pediatrics, psychiatry, oncology — whatever draws you.
Send thank-you notes to every physician
Handwritten within 24 hours. Short and genuine.
How to get shadowing: Ask your own doctor first. Contact hospital volunteer coordinators. Cold-email physicians (keep it brief and professional). Check if your school has a shadowing program.
For CAA applicants: You need 16+ hours specifically shadowing anesthesiologists/CAAs in the OR. Contact the hospital's anesthesia department directly.
Make it easy on yourself: Schedule shadowing in 4-hour blocks. Bring a small notepad. Write one reflection per session — just 3-4 sentences about what you observed.
🤝 Volunteering
Non-clinical community service. Shows you care beyond medicine. Aim for 100+ hours in sustained commitments (not one-off events).
"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." — Winston Churchill
Find 1-2 organizations you care about
Food bank, tutoring, Habitat for Humanity, crisis hotline, Special Olympics — pick what resonates.
Commit to a regular schedule
Weekly or biweekly. Consistency > one-time events.
Reach 50+ hours
Building relationships and having real impact.
Take a leadership role
Team lead, event coordinator, board member — shows initiative.
Reach 100+ hours
Strong for applications. Write about what this taught you about yourself.
Can't commit weekly? That's okay. Even biweekly at the same org for a year is 100+ hours and shows sustained commitment.
🔬 Research
Shows intellectual curiosity. Not required for all schools, but strongly preferred for MD and expected at research-heavy programs.
"Research is formalized curiosity. It is poking and prying with a purpose." — Zora Neale Hurston
Email professors about research opportunities
Read their recent papers first. Be specific about what interests you. Offer 8-10 hrs/week.
Join a lab or clinical research project
Wet lab, clinical, public health, psychology — all count.
Complete 1-2 semesters minimum
Long enough to understand the scientific process and contribute meaningfully.
Present a poster or co-author a paper
Bonus, not required. But a poster at a school symposium is very doable.
No research available? Look into summer REU programs (NSF-funded, paid). Or do a literature review project with any professor — doesn't need a lab.
📝 MCAT Preparation
3-6 months of dedicated study. Take it after completing your prerequisites (especially biochem, psych, and sociology).
"It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop." — Confucius
Take a diagnostic practice test
Know your starting point before making a study plan.
Create a 3-6 month study plan
Content review first (6-8 weeks), then practice questions and full-lengths.
Complete content review
All 4 sections: Chem/Phys, CARS, Bio/Biochem, Psych/Soc.
Do 2,000+ practice questions
UWorld, AAMC question packs, third-party banks. Review every wrong answer.
Take 5+ full-length practice exams
Under real conditions. Save AAMC FLs for the last month.
Score within 2 pts of your goal on AAMC FLs
If not, push your test date. It's better to wait than to score below your ability.
Take the MCAT
You've prepared. Trust your work. 511+ is competitive for MD, 504+ for DO.
📎 MCAT Resources
MCAT with ADHD: Study in 45-min blocks with 10-min breaks. Use Anki daily (even 10 min counts). Don't compare your timeline to others. Many people need 4-6 months, some need more — that's fine.
✉️ Applications
Submit as early as possible in the cycle. "Early" means May-June for AMCAS (MD) and June-July for AACOMAS (DO).
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take." — Wayne Gretzky
Build your school list (15-25 schools)
Mix of reach, target, and safety based on your MCAT/GPA. Use MSAR for MD data.
Write your personal statement
Start 2-3 months early. Multiple drafts. Get feedback from advisors, friends, and pre-med editors.
Complete Work & Activities section (15 entries)
Most meaningful experiences get 700 characters. Others get 150. Choose carefully.
Request letters of recommendation
2 science profs + 1 non-science + 1 physician/clinical supervisor. Ask 6-8 weeks early.
Submit primary application day 1
AMCAS opens late May. Submit within the first 2 weeks for earliest verification.
Pre-write secondary essays
Research each school's prompts from last year. Draft answers before you receive them.
Submit secondaries within 2 weeks
Quick turnaround signals genuine interest. Schools notice.
Prepare for interviews
Practice with friends, mock interviews, or online services. Know your story cold.
Timeline varies. Traditional students apply junior year summer. Post-bacc students apply after finishing prerequisites. Career changers — apply when your app is strong, not when you feel rushed.
Don't try to do everything at once. Break the application into weekly tasks: Week 1 = school list. Week 2 = activities list. Week 3 = personal statement draft. One piece at a time.
⚖️ Balance & Wellness
Pre-med is a marathon, not a sprint. Burnout is real and it derails more students than bad grades do.
"Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes — including you." — Anne Lamott
Set a consistent sleep schedule
7-8 hours. Non-negotiable. Your brain consolidates memory during sleep.
Schedule one full rest day per week
No studying, no pre-med stuff. Recharge so you don't burn out.
Find a study method that actually works for you
Active recall + spaced repetition > re-reading notes. Experiment until something clicks.
Move your body regularly
Walk, gym, yoga, dance — anything. Exercise improves focus and reduces anxiety.
Build a support system
Study group, pre-med friends, therapist, family. You don't have to do this alone.
For neurodivergent students: Use body doubling (study with someone). Try the Pomodoro method (25 min on, 5 off). External structure helps — set alarms, use planners, keep routines. If you're unmedicated and struggling, talk to a doctor. Getting help is not weakness, it's strategy.
📎 Useful Tools