What you need to do between high school and medical school

Becoming a doctor requires four years of undergraduate study, then four years of medical school, then residency training in your chosen specialty. You cannot go directly from high school to medical school — medical schools require a bachelor's degree first, along with specific science courses, a competitive entrance exam score, and clinical experience. The timeline is long, but the steps are clear and the same for nearly every student.

Your first move after high school is to enroll in a four-year college or university. You do not need to attend a prestigious school — medical schools care far more about your grades in science courses and your Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) score than about the name on your diploma. What matters is that you complete the required courses, do well in them, and build a record of clinical experience while you are there.

Key Takeaways

  • Medical school requires a bachelor's degree first, so your first step after high school is to enroll in a four-year college and complete pre-medical coursework in biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and biochemistry.
  • You must take the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) during your junior or senior year of college, and most medical schools require a score in the upper percentiles to be competitive.
  • Medical schools expect you to have shadowed physicians, volunteered at hospitals or clinics, and completed clinical internships or research — this experience usually takes 100 to 200 hours over your college years.
  • The medical school process process opens in the spring of your junior year, and you will interview at schools in the fall and winter before matriculating the following summer.
  • After medical school, you enter a residency program in your chosen specialty, which lasts three to seven years depending on the field.

Choosing a college and planning your pre-medical courses

When you explore to colleges, you do not need to declare yourself as "pre-med" — that is not an official major at most schools. Instead, you choose a major you enjoy (biology, chemistry, physics, or something else entirely) and take the required pre-medical courses alongside it. Medical schools require biology with lab, general chemistry with lab, organic chemistry with lab, physics with lab, and biochemistry. Some schools also expect mathematics through calculus and a year of English.

Your GPA in these science courses matters more than your overall GPA, though medical schools look at both. Aim for a 3.5 or higher in your science courses if possible — the average GPA for students accepted to medical school is around 3.7 overall and 3.6 in science courses, though this varies by school. Take these courses seriously from the start; retaking a course to improve a grade is possible but looks less favorable than earning a strong grade the first time.

Spread your hardest courses across different semesters rather than stacking them all in one term. You will need time to study, attend office hours, and build relationships with professors — you will need letters of recommendation from them later. Many students take organic chemistry in the summer before their junior year to free up space in their regular schedule.

Taking the MCAT and understanding your score

The MCAT is a standardized test administered by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). It covers biology, chemistry, physics, biochemistry, psychology, and sociology, and it lasts seven hours and 15 minutes. You take it on a computer at a testing center, and you can retake it if you wish, though medical schools see all your scores.

Most students take the MCAT during the spring or summer of their junior year, or in the fall of their senior year. This timing lets you explore to medical school in the spring of your senior year with your score already in hand. The test costs around $385, and preparation typically takes three to four months of study. Many students use prep books, online courses, or tutoring services; the AAMC also offers official practice materials.

Scores range from 472 to 528, and the average score for students accepted to medical school is around 511 to 512. Competitive schools often see average scores of 515 or higher. If your score is lower than you hoped, you can retake the test, but plan this carefully — retaking delays your process, and medical schools will see both attempts.

Building clinical and volunteer experience

Medical schools expect you to have spent time in clinical settings and to understand what doctoring actually involves. This is not optional — nearly every accepted student has this experience. You need a mix of direct patient care (shadowing a physician, working as an EMT or medical assistant, volunteering in a hospital) and other meaningful work (research, community service, leadership roles).

Start building this experience early in college, not the summer before you explore. Aim for 100 to 200 hours of clinical experience total by the time you explore. Shadowing a physician for a few days gives you a sense of the work; volunteering at a hospital or urgent care clinic for a semester or two shows sustained commitment. Working as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) or emergency medical technician (EMT) — both require certification but are achievable during college — demonstrates hands-on patient care and looks strong on your process.

Research experience is also valuable, especially if you plan to attend a research-heavy medical school or pursue academic medicine. Talk to professors in your science department about joining a lab. Even if the work is not directly medical, it shows you can design an experiment, collect data, and think critically.

Understanding the medical school process process

Medical school applications open in May of your junior year through the American Medical College process Service (AMCAS). You submit one process that goes to all the schools you choose; each school then sends you a secondary process with school-specific questions. The whole process takes months and costs money — process fees range from $160 to $250 per school, and most students explore to 15 to 20 schools.

Your process includes your transcripts, MCAT score, personal statement (a 750-word essay about why you want to be a doctor), letters of recommendation (usually three, from science professors and one from a physician or clinical supervisor), and a description of your clinical and volunteer experience. Medical schools also conduct interviews — if you are invited, you visit the school, meet faculty and students, and answer questions about your background and goals.

Interviews happen from September through March of your senior year. Acceptances begin arriving in October and continue through the spring. You have until May 15 to commit to a school by submitting a deposit. If you are not accepted anywhere, you can reapply the following year, though this means delaying medical school by a year.

What medical school costs and how to pay for it

Medical school tuition varies widely. Public medical schools cost between $25,000 and $45,000 per year for in-state students and $50,000 to $70,000 for out-of-state students. Private medical schools typically cost $55,000 to $65,000 per year. Add living expenses, books, and equipment, and the total cost for four years ranges from $200,000 to $400,000 or more.

Most medical students borrow money through federal student loans. The federal government offers loans specifically for medical students through the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program. Interest rates and repayment terms vary by loan type. Many students graduate with $150,000 to $250,000 in debt, though some have less and some have more.

Some students reduce costs by attending a state school in their home state, living frugally, or working part-time during school. A few medical schools offer scholarships or full-ride programs, though these are competitive. Research the financial aid packages offered by schools you are considering — they vary significantly.

Residency training after medical school

After you graduate from medical school with an MD or DO degree, you enter a residency program in your chosen specialty. Residency is paid training — you earn a salary (typically $60,000 to $70,000 in your first year, rising each year) while working long hours under the supervision of experienced physicians. Residency lasts three to seven years depending on your specialty: family medicine is three years, surgery is five to seven years, pediatrics is three years, and so on.

You explore for residency positions during your fourth year of medical school through the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). The process is competitive and based on your medical school grades, board exam scores, letters of recommendation, and interview performance at residency programs. Most physicians complete residency and then begin independent practice, though some pursue additional fellowship training in a subspecialty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I become a doctor with a non-science major in college?

Yes. You can major in anything — English, history, music — as long as you complete all the pre-medical science courses alongside your major. Medical schools care about your grades in biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and biochemistry, not about your major. Some students find that majoring in something they love keeps them motivated through the difficult science courses.

What if I do not do well on the MCAT the first time?

You can retake it. Medical schools see all your scores, so a retake does not hide your first attempt, but a significantly higher second score can strengthen your process. Plan a retake carefully — it delays your process by several months. Many students improve their score on a second attempt with more focused preparation.

Do I need to volunteer or shadow a doctor before explore to medical school?

Yes, medical schools expect clinical experience. You do not need to have shadowed a specific doctor for weeks, but you should have spent time in a clinical setting — hospital, clinic, or ambulance — and be able to describe what you learned. This experience shows you understand what the work involves and that you are committed to it.

How long does it take to become a doctor after high school?

The minimum is 11 years: four years of college, four years of medical school, and three years of residency (the shortest residency length). Most specialties require longer residencies, so the typical timeline is 12 to 15 years. Some students take a gap year or two between college and medical school, which extends the timeline further.

What is the difference between an MD and a DO?

Both are fully licensed physicians. An MD (Doctor of Medicine) is trained in allopathic medicine. A DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) receives additional training in osteopathic manipulative treatment, a hands-on technique for treating musculoskeletal problems. Both take licensing exams, both can specialize in any field, and both practice medicine the same way. The choice between MD and DO programs is personal and depends on the schools you are accepted to and your interests.