How To Prepare for Medical School

Preparing for medical school is a challenging yet rewarding journey that requires careful planning, dedication and a clear understanding of what lies ahead.

Successful preparation involves building a well-rounded foundation of knowledge, gaining hands-on experience and developing personal resilience. Every step you take can shape your medical school experience and future career.

This guide will explore key strategies for how to prepare for medical school, from academic preparation to personal development, so you can enter this rigorous field with confidence and clarity.

In This Article:

• What Do You Do in Medical School?
• Is Medical School Different From College?
• Med School Prep Tips to Follow
• Prepare for Medical School at GCU

What Do You Do in Medical School?

Before you begin preparing for medical school, you should know what to expect. Every medical school is a little different, but most of them organize their curriculum into preclinical and clinical components. First, you’ll work through the preclinical phase.

In the preclinical phase, you’ll take an intensive schedule of science classes, including didactic classes and labs. You’ll examine topics such as anatomy, biochemistry, pharmacology and pathology. You’ll also dive into doctor-specific fundamentals, such as obtaining patient medical histories. Following the preclinical phase, you’ll be required to take the first part of the medical licensing examination series.¹

During the clinical phase, you’ll complete a series of clinical rotations at hospitals. You’ll continue to receive instruction, and you will gain hands-on experience working with patients across various medical specialties. The goal of clinical rotations is to provide a breadth of experience rather than specialty-specific training.¹ You’ll receive specialty-specific training during your residency after medical school.²

Medical school is very challenging, even for those with strong competencies in the life sciences. To navigate medical school effectively, you’ll need to be prepared for the workload, and you’ll need to remain committed.

Is Medical School Different From College?

Medical school is a professional school that is different from college in many significant ways. Here’s a look at a few comparisons:

• Classes: In college, undergrads may choose from an array of different majors and even have flexibility in choosing many of their classes. In medical school, everyone takes the same classes on a fixed schedule.
• Structure: Although there are exceptions, such as some nursing programs, undergraduate degree programs are generally fairly consistent from day one to graduation. That is, you’ll take classes in a fairly sequential order, perhaps with a mix of didactic instruction and labs. In medical school, you’ll take classes and labs first. Then, you’ll focus on clinical rotations (hands-on work experience). 
• Grading: College students are given a grade point average (GPA). Many medical schools have a pass/fail system, while others use letter grades. Some use both.

Med School Prep Tips To Follow

It’s never too early to start learning how to prepare for medical school. Even if you’re still in middle school, you can begin working hard on your science and math grades and exploring the career pathway. No matter where you are in your journey, try these med school prep tips.

Choose the Right Major

One of the most important steps to take to prepare for medical school is to become familiar with the typical entrance requirements. Every medical school establishes its own entrance requirements, but there are some prerequisites shared in common. For example, while medical schools might not require students to have a particular major in college, they do need to have completed pre-med courses, such as biology, organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry and physics.³

Many students at Grand Canyon University decide to enroll in the Bachelor of Science in Biology with an Emphasis in Pre-Medicine program because it offers a strong focus on life science. The program is designed to help prepare students for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and includes a range of advanced subjects, such as genetics and molecular biology.

Stay Organized

It’s all too easy to brush assignments, studying and other responsibilities to the side, given how many fun activities there usually are on college campuses. However, it is extremely important to stay organized while in school. 

Create a schedule for yourself and make note of the time you have throughout the day to dedicate to studying, filling out applications and working on homework assignments. By developing an organizational system and schedule, you should be better able to stay on top of your work.

Develop Good Study Habits

The volume of information you’ll need to process in medical school will be significant. You can help yourself out now by developing good study habits as an undergrad (or as a middle/high schooler). 

Get into the habit of studying each day for a designated period of time. Use active study techniques instead of simply rereading material. For example, write down questions, rephrase the material in your own words and even pretend to teach it to someone else.

Similarly, it’s important to develop good note-taking habits. Whether you prefer a notebook or laptop, start taking notes in every class. Don’t try to write down every word your instructor says; rather, develop an outline of the lecture and take notes on the most important concepts. Be sure to ask questions when you need something clarified or seek extra help in the tutoring center.

Begin Preparing for the MCAT Well in Advance

Aspiring medical school students need to take the MCAT before applying. GCU recommends starting your MCAT prep four to six months before your test date and spending 200 to 300 hours studying for the exam.

Start by taking an online practice test to gauge your strengths and areas that need improvement. Then, study by answering practice questions, using study guides and reviewing key concepts. Some students even take an MCAT prep course.

Make Connections

Networking with professors, fellow students and advisors is critical for your future career. When you take the time to get to know these professionals, you will be creating a bond, maybe even a mentorship, which could be useful when you head off to medical school. These people can offer advice and encouragement, as well as provide insight on potential employment opportunities. In many cases, a letter of recommendation from a faculty member is a requirement for your medical school application. 

Stay Motivated

Because of all the responsibilities that preparing for medical school entails, it can be difficult to stay motivated. For a bit of a pick-me-up, reward yourself by spending time with friends and family. Those you love can be some of the most important people within your support system, and they may be able to help you stay motivated to reach your goals.

Focus on Your Mental Health

It’s important to take med school prep seriously, but it’s equally as important to maintain your personal life outside of school. Spending time with friends and family, enjoying your hobbies and talking to a counselor when needed can help support your mental health.

Remember that the body and mind are connected. Another way to support your mental health is to take care of your physical health, such as by exercising regularly and eating well. 

Prepare for Medical School at GCU

GCU's mission is to prepare students to achieve their career goals and give back to their communities. If you aspire to help others by becoming a doctor, consider applying for enrollment in the Bachelor of Science in Biology with an Emphasis in Pre-Medicine degree program. Fill out the form on this page to connect with a university counselor.