Let’s say you know you want to be a physician, but beyond that, you’re not sure how best to prepare. If you are beginning your undergraduate studies in the fall, you have the perfect opportunity to strategically plan your coursework.
Here are steps you can take as you plan ahead for medical school.
Read: [5 Things to Look for in a College as a Premed Student.]
Check course requirements. The first step is to review the Medical School Admission Requirements online database on the Association of American Medical Colleges’ website. Think about the medical schools you might want to attend and keep a list of their course requirements, which you can then compare to give you an idea of how they may differ.
Generally speaking, your list will include biology with lab, chemistry with lab, organic chemistry with lab, physics with lab and English/writing. Additional courses may include genetics, biostatistics, sociology, psychology, calculus, anatomy, bioethics and microbiology.
The MSAR will also indicate which medical schools accept Advanced Placement credit to satisfy a prerequisite. One word of caution: Medical schools generally keep their requirements consistent, but be aware that they can modify them before the next application cycle.
Consider timing. Your next step is to think about the realities of taking these courses in college and when you can do so.
The first rule of thumb is to avoid taking two heavy science courses with labs during your freshman year. Doing so proves to be overwhelming for many freshmen.
Your school may strongly encourage or even insist you do this, but don’t let them talk you into it. You may need to pick up a science course with lab over the summer at some point, but you will be better off.
In addition, if you are stronger in one subject over another, select the easier one for your freshman year.
You’ll then want to chart your coursework for all four years, including summers. Biology, chemistry or physics with lab will fall in year one. If you are granted credit for AP coursework taken in high school, then start with a higher-level course your freshman year. Remember to be cautious because you are competing with college sophomores, and you want to protect your GPA.
Try to select a psychology course and perhaps sociology because they are both included on the MCAT. If you plan to take the MCAT in the spring of your junior year, do not heavily schedule that semester. You will need extra time to take an exam-prep course.
Read: [Undergrad Courses to Take for MCAT Success.]
Again, medical schools vary when it comes to their course requirements. For example, some might require one semester of organic chemistry with lab, while others ask for two. The same may be said for calculus. Many medical schools don’t require anatomy or biostatistics, but some do.
Plan the required courses strategically so you won’t have too many hard ones at the same time. These are the courses you want to ace.
Think about your major. You will, of course, want to declare a major, but know that your major is less important if medical school is the goal. Most medical schools don’t require their applicants to have premed majors.
Although biological sciences majors made up more than half of medical school classes in 2017-2018, per AAMC data, the percentages of humanities and social sciences majors who were accepted were higher than biological sciences majors. According to the AAMC, the MCAT scores and GPAs of those with science majors and those without are remarkably similar.
Thus, declare a major in an area you are drawn to, knowing that you can change it.
Read: [Premed Students: 3 Considerations for Majors.]
Here are your priorities in a nutshell:
— Don’t overload your schedule during your freshman year and the second semester of your junior year.
— Be proactive in your planning; do not just passively accept a “recipe.”
— Choose a major that appeals to you, and be sure its courses fit into the slots not filled by your required courses.
— Protect your GPA.
You are starting with a blank slate. Take advantage of this opportunity to make the most of your undergraduate years and prepare for a successful medical school experience.
More from U.S. News
Boost Medical School Prep With Undergrad Courses in Other Fields
5 Ways Nonscience Courses Prepare Students for Medical School
Plan Senior Year Coursework for Medical School Advantage
How to Plan College Courses to Prepare for Medical School originally appeared on usnews.com
