Complete Guide to Medical School Prerequisites

Getting accepted to medical school is no small feat, and it all starts with meeting the right prerequisites. These academic and experiential requirements are essential building blocks that prepare you for the rigors of medical education and, ultimately, the demands of future clinical practice.

Whether you’re a first-year undergrad or a career changer exploring medicine as a potential path, understanding what’s expected of you early on can make for a much smoother application process. By meeting (or exceeding) these requirements, you demonstrate your readiness for medical school and set yourself up for long-term success in healthcare.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the core medical prerequisites and offer practical tips to help you navigate the process proactively and confidently.

Core Medical School Prerequisites

The journey toward a career as a physician begins with medical school. Across the United States, institutions tend to share several foundational requirements that applicants need to meet in order to be considered for acceptance. The intention is to ensure that students are prepared and personally committed to the demands of a medical education. Here are some of the most common core prerequisites you’ll encounter as you begin the application process:

1. Degree Requirements

Most medical schools require applicants to hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. While there’s no mandatory major, most students pursue degrees in science-related fields, such as biology, chemistry, biochemistry, or neuroscience. These programs naturally align with the prerequisite coursework. That said, students from non-science backgrounds can also be admitted as long as they complete the required courses and perform well academically.

2. Pre-Med Course Requirements

Regardless of your chosen major, there are standard science and math courses that nearly all medical schools expect you to complete. These typically include:

• Biology
• General chemistry
• Organic chemistry
• Physics
• Biochemistry
• Statistics and/or calculus
• English or other writing-intensive courses

It’s important to note that laboratory work is especially crucial, as it provides practical experience that reinforces theoretical learning. When creating your course schedule, double check that the science classes you sign up for include lab time as part of the curriculum.

3. GPA Requirements

Your undergraduate academic performance is a critical part of your application. On average, successful medical school applicants have an overall GPA and a science GPA (also known as BCPM GPA) of 3.7 or higher. Admissions committees closely evaluate science GPAs because they reflect your readiness to handle the rigors of medical school coursework. While a lower GPA won’t automatically take you out of the running, a strong upward trend and solid MCAT scores can help offset it.

4. MCAT Score

The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a standardized exam that assesses your knowledge of natural, behavioral, and social sciences, as well as critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The test is divided into four sections:

• Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
• Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems
• Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior
• Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS)

Scores range from 472 to 528, with most competitive applicants scoring 510 or above. A strong MCAT score can significantly boost your chances of admission, especially when paired with a high GPA and strong application.

5. Clinical Experience

Hands-on experience in a healthcare setting demonstrates your commitment to learning about the medical field and gives you a realistic view of what it’s like to work as a physician. Many applicants gain this experience by:

• Shadowing practitioners
• Working as a medical scribe or medical assistant
• Volunteering or working in hospitals or clinics

This exposure serves a dual purpose: It helps you strengthen your application and helps you confirm whether a career in medicine is truly right for you.

6. Volunteer Work

Medical schools look to admit compassionate, community-minded individuals. Completing volunteer hours outside of clinical settings — such as tutoring, mentoring, working with underserved populations, or participating in community service projects — shows that you embody these qualities. This kind of service helps admissions teams see who you are beyond your grades and test scores, so be sure to choose an activity (or activities) that you’re genuinely passionate about.

7. Letters of Recommendation

Compelling letters of recommendation provide insights into your academic abilities, character, and potential as a future physician. Most medical schools request:

• At least two letters from science professors
• One letter from a non-science professor
• Additional recommendations from healthcare professionals you’ve worked with or supervisors are also welcomed, but not always required

Always check each school’s requirements carefully to ensure you submit the right types and number of recommendation letters.

Additional Recommended Courses for Competitive Applicants

While the core prerequisites we previously discussed form the academic foundation for medical school admissions, you can strengthen your application further by supplementing these courses with additional coursework.

Not all medical schools follow the exact same checklist of prerequisites. While most require biology, chemistry, and physics, for example, some may have additional expectations or favor applicants who pursued a broader range of subjects and thus have a wider academic base to draw from. Because of this variability, you should research the specific requirements of each medical school you plan to apply to.

Commonly Recommended Courses

To become a more competitive applicant, and to better prepare for the MCAT and medical school itself, consider adding these courses to your undergraduate schedule:

• Psychology: Essential for understanding patient behavior and mental health. Subject matter appears on the MCAT.
• Ethics: Introduces you to important questions of medical morality, patient autonomy, and professional responsibility.
• Public Health: Provides a broader view of health systems and overall population health.
• Genetics: Expands your understanding of disease mechanisms and personalized medicine, which are integral to modern medical practice.
• Sociology: Complements psychology in understanding social determinants of health and health disparities.

Tips for Fulfilling Prerequisites Efficiently

Meeting all medical school prerequisites is a serious undertaking, but with the right resources and smart planning, you can stay on track and avoid stress.

1. Plan Ahead

The earlier you start planning, the better. Ideally, you should begin mapping out your coursework during your freshman year of college. This makes it easier to balance demanding science classes with other general education requirements and gives you time to fit in additional, recommended courses.

2. Seek Guidance

Don’t try to navigate the pre-med path alone. Meet regularly with a pre-med advisor at your college or university. These advisors can help you:

• Choose the right classes in the right sequence
• Understand school-specific requirements
• Stay aware of deadlines for the MCAT and application submissions
• Connect with extracurricular and clinical opportunities

3. Consider Summer Courses

If your calendar is too packed during the academic year, taking summer courses can help lighten the load or take on particularly challenging subjects without the distraction of a full schedule. Just make sure that you take summer courses at an accredited institution and that the credits will transfer appropriately.

4. Explore Certificate Programs

If you’re looking to strengthen your academic profile or gain meaningful work experience, enrolling in a certificate program can be a great option. Programs like the certification courses offered by Advanced eClinical Training (ACT) not only help to expand your knowledge and hands-on skills, but also provide the credentials to begin working in entry-level allied health positions.

5. Use Study Resources Strategically

Many MCAT prep courses are designed to reinforce and review the materials covered in your pre-med classes. Taking your prerequisites seriously, and using MCAT prep as a way to revisit and deepen that knowledge, can lead to both improved test scores and improved confidence.

6. Maximize Time With Dual-Purpose Volunteering

If you’re balancing a busy academic schedule, look for ways to combine clinical experience with community service. For example, volunteering at a free clinic, assisting in a hospital, or participating in health education outreach programs can strengthen your application while checking multiple boxes: clinical exposure, volunteering, and service to others.

FAQs

Do I need a science major to apply to medical school?

No, you don’t need to major in the sciences to apply to med school. While many applicants choose majors such as biology or chemistry to align closely with prerequisite courses, medical schools accept students from a wide range of academic backgrounds. What matters most is that you complete the required coursework and perform well academically.

What are medical school prerequisites?

Medical school prerequisites are the courses and experiences that applicants are expected to complete in order to enroll. Required coursework typically includes biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, statistics and/or calculus, and English or other writing-intensive courses.

In addition to coursework, prerequisites often include a competitive GPA, MCAT score, clinical experience, volunteer work, and letters of recommendation.

What’s the best way to prepare for the MCAT?

There are several ways to get ready for the MCAT. We recommend starting your prep early (ideally 3–6 months before your test date) by following a structured study plan, taking practice exams, signing up for prep courses, reviewing foundational science concepts, and actively participating in study groups.

How many clinical hours are enough for medical school?

There’s no official minimum, but most successful applicants have at least 150 hours of clinical experience by the time they apply. More important than the exact number of hours logged is the quality and consistency of your involvement. Admissions committees want to see that you’ve spent meaningful time in healthcare settings, and regularly shadowing, volunteering, scribing, or working in patient-facing roles all count toward this experience.

Start Preparing for Medical School With Confidence

The path to medical school involves serious commitment, but with careful planning, the right academic foundation, and hands-on experience, you can build a competitive application and take the first step toward your future as a physician. Whether you’re just beginning your undergraduate studies or looking to strengthen your qualifications for med school, now is the time to take action.

ACT’s training courses are designed to help aspiring medical students like you prepare for your future career. From expanding your clinical knowledge and gaining hands-on experience, ACT programs can give you the head start you need to stand out in a competitive admissions process. Browse our courses and enroll today to get started.

Want to take a more in-depth look at the med school application journey? Download our free eBook: Navigating the Medical School ApplicationProcess: Preparation Guide + 10-Step Checklist to Get Accepted for expert insights, timelines, and tips to guide you every step of the way.