Explore and Prepare for Medical School
Are you curious, compassionate, and a problem-solver with a strong scientific aptitude? Medicine may be the right fit for you. Before committing to this path, spend some time exploring other healthcare fields to see if this path matches your values, purpose, and skills. Expect to spend an additional 7–10+ years for more training and education after your bachelor's degree.
Get to know the Core Competencies for Entering Medical Students
Academic Sample Plan
Plan ahead by viewing the UCSD Undergraduate Student Timeline for Medical School .Explore
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Learn about medical education – allopathic/MD (Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC))
- Review this video from the UCSD Career Center about D.O. programs
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Navigate the journey from pre-med through residency
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Investigate a career in Biomedical Research as a physician-scientist
- Review Admissions Data For Medical Schools
- Interested in the UC San Diego School of Medicine? Visit their Admissions Virtual Office Hours.
Timeline to Medical School
Review the 4-Year Timeline (SAMPLE PLAN ONLY) for an example with a Gap Year (Recommended) and an example with No Gap Year
Gap/ Growth Years
Growth years are additional time/years before you begin your health professional school. If you apply at the end of your senior year, you will be taking one year where you will not be in school. If you apply at the end of your junior year, you will NOT have a gap/growth year and will begin your health professional school a few months after you graduate.
Prepare Academically
Admissions Course Requirements
Most medical schools have similar prerequisites, including the following:
- One year of biology
- One year of general chemistry
- One year of organic chemistry (UCSD course FAQ)
- One year of physics, including labs
- One year of math
- One Biochemistry course
- One year of English composition or writing
Highly Recommended Coursework (particularly for non-bio majors and in preparation for MCAT)
- One year of upper division biology such as:
- Genetics
- Human Physiology
- Cell biology
- Molecular Biology
- Microbiology
- One course within Psychology or Sociology
Consider classes within the Global Health or Health Care-Social Issues programs
Note: Students can review specific expectations for prerequisite courses on the AAMC list of medical school course requirements. Please note that students should always check the admissions website of their desired medical school for the most current policies on courses.
The UC San Diego School of Medicine advises undergraduate student to take creative writing courses and/or a literature minor to help in the application process.
Gaining Experience
For any successful pre-health path, you will need to demonstrate you have experience. This includes service/volunteering, leadership, research, and/or other experiential learning opportunities.
Finding and Tracking Opportunities
UCSD Opportunities
For a comprehensive guide on healthcare, service, leadership, research, and other experiential learning opportunities available to Tritons, please see our Pre-Med/Pre-Health Experiential Opportunities Guidebook.
Experience Tracker
To help track your experiences use this Sample Pre-Health Experience Tracker.