Do you have a passion for helping people? Are you driven and dedicated? Do you love biology or chemistry? If you answer yes to any of those questions, you may be considering a career in the medical field. And if you already have completed most of your undergraduate education, you may now be researching next steps for medical school. To learn more about what medical school entails, how to apply, and what to expect, consider the following key takeaways.

What is Medical School?

As the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) states, “All medical schools share the goal of preparing their students for residency training and practicing medicine, and are required to adhere to national accreditation standards.” Going to medical school equips graduates to provide care to patients, diagnose and treat illnesses, and conduct surgeries. Graduates typically earn either a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree, which are required for practicing as a physician.

What Does the Medical School Path Entail?

Before applying for medical school, students will generally complete their undergraduate degree studies, often with a science-based major like biology or chemistry. After this, medical school typically takes four years to complete. The first two years of medical school are academic and usually classroom-based and the final two years often involve clinical rotations in numerous medical specialties. The capstone of medical school education is residency. During this time, graduates must complete a residency program in their chosen specialty. The duration of these programs can last from three to seven years, depending on the field.

Talk to an Expert

A great way to decide if the medical field is the right path for you is to speak directly with a physician. Start by asking your own doctor, or family members or friends in the medical field, if they can connect you with a physician willing to have an informational interview or allow you to shadow them. Shadowing is a particularly valuable way to explore the medical profession, with a firsthand perspective about what it’s like to be a doctor. Shadowing, especially if you track your hours and explore various specialties, can also strengthen your medical school application by demonstrating your commitment to the field.

Gain Clinical Volunteer or Work Experience

In addition to shadowing, consider clinical volunteering. Clinical volunteering gives you the opportunity to engage with the medial field while caring for patients, such as in nursing homes, hospitals, or hospice. Committing to a volunteer schedule and participating in patient care will provide you with insight about your dedication to helping others.

You may also consider roles like an EMT, medical scribe, CNA, or a medical assistant. These jobs and others not only expose you to the field of patient care, but you can earn income as you explore and learn. Pursuing a job in the medical field for a time before you embark on the commitment of medical school is an excellent way to learn and prepare for your next steps.

Create a List of Schools That Interest You

After you have confirmed your desire and commitment to pursue a career in the medical field as a physician, the next step is finding the right medical school to begin your career path. Just like any college search, deciding on a medical school involves research and asking a lot of questions. Some important aspects to consider include:

• Faculty expertise
• Clinical exposure
• Extracurricular and research opportunities
• Residency placement
• Networking connections
• Curriculum structure
• Student satisfaction
• Location
• Cost and financial aid

There are other factors to consider, as well, like overall personal fit and how grading is evaluated. Some schools grade on a pass-fail evaluation, which can remove the stress of getting the best grades and instead prioritize learning the material. And many students make the mistake of focusing only on prestige, overlooking these other key aspects to consider. So refer to this list as you research schools to help you find a great option for your education and training.

Prepare for and Take the MCAT

The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is the standardized exam, administered by the AAMC, used for medical school admissions in the United States. In order to be admitted to medical school, you’ll have to prepare for and take this exam. Typically, applicants take this exam about a year and a half prior to starting medical school. And like any test, it is best not to cram, so start studying at least about four to six months prior to your test date, and preferably after you’ve taken required undergraduate coursework. Some great resources for MCAT prep include Khan Academy, Kaplan, Princeton Review, Blueprint courses, or AAMC official materials.

The MCAT is one of the longest standardized tests, taking approximately seven hours and thirty minutes (including breaks) to complete. There are four major sections in the exam, and most of the questions within each section are passage-based, meaning that they require you to read a passage and answer related questions. For more information about the MCAT, including test preparation and registering for the exam, review details here.

Apply

The type of doctoral degree you will be pursuing determines how you will apply. The primary application to medical school is through a common application system, which will send your application to the various schools on your list. You will send the secondary application about a month later, and it’s specific to each school. If your primary and secondary applications make an impression with your school(s) of interest, then you will be invited to participate in an interview. To learn more about these steps and the required documents for your medical school applications, check out this helpful video overview.

How to Pay for Medical School

Making the commitment to go to medical school is a huge decision, and it can feel overwhelming to consider, financially or otherwise. To learn more about how to manage this next step financially, read about the perspective from a medical student here, or if you would like to learn more about how to pay for graduate school in general, then refer to our article, How to Pay for Graduate School.

Consider the Commitment

Through your preparation process, you may have a greater understanding of the time and financial commitment of pursuing a career in the medical field. And ultimately, you will also hopefully see the benefits of this rewarding career.