The Prerequisites for Medical School

• Applicants to U.S. medical schools can major in any discipline. 
• Regardless of major, applicants are usually expected to complete prerequisite courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and math.
• There is no universally established minimum MCAT score required for medical school admission, but some schools do use cutoffs to screen applicants. 
• Earning a good MCAT score will make you a more competitive candidate for admission.
• While most schools don’t specify a minimum GPA for admission, some do employ GPA cutoffs, so a strong GPA will improve the likelihood of gaining acceptance.

Understanding the prerequisites for medical school is critical to admissions success. The requirements for medical school can be daunting, so it’s important to start your research early to stay organized and avoid missing application deadlines. In this comprehensive guide, we break down the classes, exams, and other factors needed to qualify for entrance to medical school. Read on to learn more about essential med school application requirements.

[ READ NEXT: What’s the Real Cost of Medical School? ]

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

• What are the common medical school requirements?
• How To Choose a Pre-Med Major
• What classes are required for medical school?
• What is the GPA requirement for medical school?
• What’s a good MCAT score for medical school?
• Clinical Experience for Medical School
• Letters of Recommendation for Medical School Applications
• How To Enhance Your Medical School Application With Extracurriculars
• AAMC PREview Exam and CASPer Test Requirements for Medical School Admissions
• What are the secondary application requirements for medical school?
• Medical School Requirements FAQs
• Medical School Admissions Resources & Consulting

What are the common medical school requirements?

Here is a quick list of the common U.S. medical school prerequisites:

• A four-year degree (B.A. or B.S.) from an accredited university 
• Pre-med courses, including one year each of biology, general (inorganic) chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics, plus math
• A strong GPA
• A good MCAT score
• Letters of recommendation
• Extracurricular activities, including clinical experience and volunteer work
• Submitting an AAMC PREview or CASPer score (if required)

How To Choose a Pre-Med Major

There is no specific pre-med major required for medical school in the U.S. While science majors are certainly more common, medical schools stress their interest in well-rounded students with broad-based undergraduate backgrounds. In fact, regardless of your major, the breadth of your undergraduate transcript is a vital part of the admissions decision.

If you are a science major, consider broadening your education by taking some social science and humanities electives. If you are not majoring in a science, your work in both science and non-science courses will be evaluated. With fewer science courses on your transcript, schools will rely on your core science subjects to judge your scientific ability. So consider taking at least some additional science courses, such as biochemistry, cell biology, or genetics to further support your aptitude in this area.

The bottom line? Don’t choose a major because you think it will get you into medical school. Major in a subject that genuinely interests you. You will do better and have a more enjoyable time throughout college.

[ KEEP READING: Pre-Med Majors: Choosing Your Medical Specialty ]

What classes are required for medical school?

One of the primary requirements for medical school is completing specific prerequisite courses that provide the foundational knowledge needed to learn medicine. The classes you’ll need to take will typically include:

• Biology: The study of medicine requires a basic understanding of biology, so it is a definite necessity for medical school. Knowing the molecular and cellular basis of life is crucial to learning how the human body develops, functions, and responds to other organisms in the environment.
• Chemistry: Chemistry—and especially organic chemistry—provides the background for understanding acid-base balance in the body, how biochemical reactions occur, and how different medications work.
• Physics: Physics introduces concepts important to understanding the different forces operating in the human body. For example, by knowing the laws of pressure and volume, you can better appreciate how the cardiovascular system works. By learning the laws of mechanics, you can better comprehend the structure and function of the musculoskeletal system.
• Mathematics: Some schools will require a semester or two of calculus or statistics to fulfill the math prerequisite. Physicians use math skills very often in their daily work—from determining proper medication dosages to interpreting lab results to understanding clinical research studies.

In general, you’ll take two semesters of biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and math. For details on the classes each medical school requires, visit the Medical School Admission Requirements™ (MSAR^®) website.

Since medical school prerequisites are determined by individual medical schools themselves, requirements may differ among them. There may be classes that are required by most or some but not at all schools:

• English: Many medical schools want you to have critical thinking and reading/writing skills outside of basic science classes. They ensure you have these skills by requiring an English class or, at the very least, a class intensively focused on writing.
• Biochemistry: Biochemistry has gained a lot more attention since being emphasized more on the MCAT. Some schools have made it a prerequisite, while others simply assume you have the knowledge if you have studied for the MCAT.
• Psychology and Sociology: Like biochemistry, psychology and sociology have also increased in popularity as medical school prerequisites since their inclusion on the MCAT.

In addition to the required pre-med classes, you should select other courses in the sciences and humanities to supplement your core curriculum, enhancing your education and your application to medical school. Here are a couple of examples of non-essential but valuable pre-med classes:

• Medical Anthropology/History: One of the most fascinating components of medicine is how it has changed and evolved over the centuries. A background in the history of medicine will provide you with an appreciation for the evolution of medical knowledge and how it may change moving forward.
• Foreign Language: Learning a second language is a particularly useful skill for any medical student or physician. It can open up broader career opportunities, empower you to connect with more diverse populations, and become a better provider.

What is the GPA requirement for medical school?

While most medical schools do not list a minimum GPA requirement, gaining acceptance into med school is much easier with a high GPA. According to the AAMC, for the 2025-2026 academic year, the average GPA for applicants to U.S. medical schools was 3.67, whereas the average GPA for matriculants was 3.81 that same year. Ultimately, the GPA needed for medical school will largely depend on which schools you apply to and other factors, like how well you score on the MCAT.

The American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) calculates your GPA for medical school in distinct parts: science GPA, non-science (“all other”) GPA, and total GPA. Your total GPA takes all of your courses into account, whereas your science GPA considers your performance in your biology, chemistry, physics, and math (BCPM) courses alone. While all of these GPAs are important, admissions committees are particularly interested in the science GPA and its congruence with your overall academic performance. 

How can you maximize your GPA? While taking the required courses for medical school, make sure to allot time for your own interests to maintain balance in your life. Avoid attempting too many difficult courses at once. Instead of “impressing” the admissions committee, this strategy could burn you out, lower your overall GPA, and hurt your medical school application.

What’s a good MCAT score for medical school?

While there is no minimum MCAT score required for medical school, according to AAMC data, the average overall MCAT score for matriculants is 512.1, while the average MCAT score for all test takers is 500.5 (rounded up to 501). This almost 12-point difference can have a huge impact on admissions success. Research the schools that you are interested in to see their individual averages and accepted score ranges. While exceeding their bottom score indicates a chance of acceptance at that school, you’ll usually have better odds of admission where your score is at or above a school’s median. 

Ultimately, a good MCAT score largely depends on what medical schools you seek to get into and what the rest of your application looks like. The MCAT score is one tool schools use to evaluate your application and predict your success in their curriculum. It is your opportunity to show schools your potential for success, so you should take advantage of MCAT prep courses and other study resources to help you achieve your best score.

[ FREE RESOURCE: 3-Month MCAT Study Plan ]

Note that the average MCAT score and GPA for students accepted to allopathic medical schools differ from those accepted to osteopathic medical schools. The table below showcases the these values for matriculated students at both types of medical school.

	Average MCAT Score	Average GPA
Allopathic Medical Schools (MD) 2025-2026	512.1	3.81
Osteopathic Medical Schools (DO) 2024	502.97	3.61

Sources: AAMC & AACOM

Clinical Experience for Medical School

Of all the activities you could be involved in, the one most medical schools will find essential is your experience in direct patient care. According to a recent survey of medical schools, knowledge of healthcare issues and commitment to healthcare were among the top five variables considered very important to student selection. The other four were MCAT scores, med school interview ratings, GPA, and letters of recommendation.

Consider being active in healthcare activities as much as possible as a pre-med student. Gaining clinical experience will help you further validate your interest in medicine and will give you a glimpse into the reality of working as a physician. If nothing else, these experiences will help you articulate why you want to pursue a medical career in medicine in your personal statement and interviews.

To gain clinical experience for medical school you need to be proactive and to seek out opportunities. Start by calling hospitals or health centers in your community. Ask to speak with a representative from the volunteer services office. These individuals will be able to direct you to the specific departments, offices, or public health or advocacy initiative that could use your help (e.g., chronic disease management programs or efforts to support victims of abuse or domestic violence.) Pick an organization whose focus interests you and go for it. Remember that you may be asked to make a long-term commitment to the activity, but in return, you will become a real member of the team, something med schools will appreciate.

Letters of Recommendation Requirement For Medical School Applications

Securing letters of recommendation for medical school is a crucial part of the application process, so be strategic about whom you ask and when you ask for a letter. You want to make sure the writer has plenty of time to formulate a sincere and stellar recommendation. In many undergraduate institutions, the pre-med advising office handles letters of recommendation. In some cases, they simply relay the letters to the medical schools. However, in other cases, the pre-med advisor—or committee—reviews these recommendations and writes a committee letter consolidating the information shared about you. It’s imperative that you get to know your advisor and that they get to know you so that they can write an in-depth and flattering letter of support for you. 

Some options for recommenders include:

• Science professor
• Non-science professor
• A physician you shadowed or worked with
• A research director
• A volunteer program director
• A graduate program director 
• An employer or job supervisor 

How To Enhance Your Medical School Application With Extracurriculars

Medical school admissions committees select applicants who have demonstrated intelligence, maturity, integrity, and dedication to service. One way they assess your non-academic qualities is to look at how you have lived your life prior to completing your medical school application. On the AMCAS application you have the opportunity to describe up to fifteen activities, such as club memberships, leadership roles, honors, awards, and jobs. The AACOMAS application (the primary application for osteopathic medical schools) does not limit the number of activities you include.

A few medical schools may ask you to submit a more comprehensive resume or CV as part of their secondary application (more on that below), but you should aim to capture the most significant experiences on your primary application. Admissions committees will evaluate the nature and depth of your extracurricular activities to determine whether you have the qualities and competencies they look for in their admitted students. It’s best to get involved in activities early and build upon your experiences over time to strengthen this part of your application as much as possible.

AAMC PREview and CASPer Test Exam Requirements for Medical School Admissions

A growing list of medical schools require or recommend that applicants take the AAMC PREview or the CASPer test during the admissions process. Both exams are situational judgment tests (SJTs) that require examinees to respond to hypothetical scenarios that gauge their critical reasoning and interpersonal skills. Be sure to check and see if any of the medical schools on your list require you to submit a CASPer or PREview score. Earning a good score on one or both of these tests can boost your medical school application, but it is not the most important factor in your application packet.

What are the secondary application requirements for medical school?

After you complete your primary application and it is sent to all the medical schools you’ve selected, virtually every school will require completion of its own, unique secondary application. Many medical schools will send their “secondary” to all applicants, while other schools will screen the primary application first and only forward secondaries to candidates that meet criteria. Secondary applications allow medical schools to collect more detailed information about you and determine how well you match their mission and goals. 

The secondaries often include prompts focusing on areas the schools especially value (e.g., diversity, teamwork, research, or commitment to community service), and require candidates to answer in essay form. Depending on the medical schools you’re applying to, secondary applications may be more or less extensive. The amount of time medical schools allow to complete secondary applications can vary but is usually between 2-4 weeks. Time is an important factor in the medical school admissions process, so secondaries should be returned as promptly as possible, without compromising quality, before the deadline. 

Medical School Requirements FAQs

Below, we answer some frequently asked questions about medical school applications and other prerequisites for medical school.

Is research experience required for medical school applications?

Most medical school admissions committees will view research experience favorably because it familiarizes you with the scientific method—formulating a hypothesis, designing a study, and gathering, analyzing, and interpreting data. Research-oriented medical schools may weigh this factor more heavily than other schools might.

If you are planning to apply for M.D./Ph.D. programs or are considering an academic or research career, then research experience is an absolute must. You will need to have documented experience that validates your interest and potential in the research field. However, that doesn’t mean that applicants planning a purely clinical career wouldn’t benefit from a research background. As a physician, your job will involve research in some form or another, either as you work to diagnose your patients or as you read studies in the medical literature to stay up to date in clinical science.

Can I list my teaching experience on my med school application?

One of the most important roles a physician plays is that of a teacher, imparting information to patients and teaching them to play a more active role in their own healthcare. Medical school applicants may participate in a diverse range of teaching activities during their undergraduate years (and beyond). For example, they might teach children swimming or a musical instrument, serve as a teaching assistant for a class they aced, or become a CPR instructor. Teaching can encompass just about anything you enjoy doing. All you need to do is share it with others in a structured, organized manner, showing your ability to connect and communicate with others effectively.

How does employment reflect on my medical school application?

Many undergraduate students need to work throughout their college years. Most admissions committees recognize that the time you spend working will leave less time for your studies and other forms of extracurricular activities. These committees understand that maintaining academic performance while holding down a job is hard work. If an applicant has been able to do both well, it is an indication that they will be able to maintain their academic performance upon entering medical school when pressures increase.

Should I include volunteer work in my med school application?

Yes! Along with the rest of your application, medical schools are looking for candidates who demonstrate how much they care about their community and the public in general. Volunteer experience will help you stand out by illustrating your genuine motivation for helping others. Separate from other kinds of experiences listed in your application, your volunteer work does not have to be completed in a specific field or area of practice. Just be sure to seek activities that are aligned with your passions. And be ready to speak on why these experiences are significant to you and how they’ll help you as you pursue your medical career.

Medical School Admissions Resources & Consulting

Medical school applicants often fail to take advantage of the resources available at their college’s pre-med office. Often, admissions officers ask why applicants haven’t utilized these benefits. So be very mindful to develop a strong relationship with and obtain the full support of your pre-medical office if such an opportunity is available to you. If your school does not have a dedicated pre-medical office or advisor, you should seek out the person who works most closely with pre-meds on your campus—they may be found in the biological sciences department or career center, for example.

Kaplan also offers medical school admissions consulting services for those looking for more comprehensive and personalized support—or just need help with a few steps along the way. Our consultants have worked in medical school admissions and have seen thousands of applications, so they know how to take the guesswork out of the admissions process. Check out our consulting options to see how Kaplan can help you on your medical school admissions journey.

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Written by Kaplan experts, reviewed by Claudia Mikail, MD, MPH. Dr. Mikail is a board-certified physician specializing in public health genetics, the author of a bestselling textbook, and has taught at top universities.