Education prep: high school
Although there are not any high school prerequisites needed for an undergraduate pre-med degree, there are ways that you can start preparing at this stage for your medical education.
We have pulled together some insights on the decision to go to medical school and high school activities that can help when you are pursuing a pre-med track.
One of the first elements is evaluating your potential major and different universities for your bachelor’s degree. These elements can impact your future path and MD program applications.
From advanced sciences to extracurriculars that stand out, ensuring a solid foundation is crucial for aspiring medical students.
Here are some ideas to get a head start on your med school journey:
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- Register for Advanced Placement (AP) courses: Consider taking AP courses and other rigorous classes offered at your high school to challenge yourself and get a head start on college-level material.
- Get involved in extracurricular activities: Look into medicine and health-related clubs (or start your own!). General science-focused activities like Science Olympiad also help build your general knowledge.
- Volunteer at a local hospital: Reach out to your local hospital to learn about volunteer opportunities. Many duties set aside for high school-aged volunteers include greeting patients, assisting with clerical duties, or delivering items like magazines or flowers to patients.
- Look into becoming an Emergency medical technician (EMT): Check if your community has volunteer-based ambulance services as many have programs for high schoolers. Some even have pathways for high schoolers to become licensed EMTs.
Learn about the suggested high school prerequisites for a successful pre-med journey with some of our blogs.
- Should I Go to Medical School? 7 Questions You Should Ask First
- How to Become a Doctor After High School: 4 Things You Can Start Doing
- What Major Should I Choose to Become a Doctor?
- How to Choose a Medical Camp
Education prep: college
Whether you’re in your first semester at college or someone who decided to pursue an MD a little later in life, you’ll need to do some preliminary work to ensure you stay on top of your med school prerequisites. This may lead you to question what prerequisites are required for medical school.
We put together information that may help answer questions so you can understand and prepare for your prerequisite work.
- The Pre-Med Student’s Guide to Applying to Medical School
- The Future Physician’s Guide to Prerequisites for Medical School
- 5 Features to Compare for Postbacc Pre-Med Programs
- 5 Common questions about medical school requirements at SGU
- How to Shadow a Doctor as a Pre-Med Student
- 4 Ways to Strengthen Your Medical School Application
Additionally, medicine and health-related extracurricular activities in undergrad can help give you a boost in your application for med school while also giving you the opportunity to consider if medicine is truly the path for you.
- Connect with your peers: Join a pre-med fraternity or club to connect you with other students on your campus with similar ambitions
- Find mentors: Build relationships with your professors to find out about research opportunities or upcoming conferences
- Boost your knowledge outside of class: Consider taking extra classes in the summer or winter sessions to boost your knowledge
- Give back to your community: Volunteer at a local hospital or university-affiliated hospital as there may be more responsibilities available to college students
High school and college students should also consider summer programs like SGU’s Med/Vet Summer Leadership Academy. The Med/Vet Summer Leadership Academy combines engaging lectures and hands-on practical experience with fun activities to immerse current high school and college students in Grenada’s rich culture and beautiful Caribbean environment.
Start your journey to become an MD
Have you been thinking about applying to medical school but have more questions? SGU offers information sessions to provide insights on medical school and the MD program at SGU.
You will hear from SGU alumni and admissions officers about academics, campus life, the admission process, and scholarship opportunities. Learn about the School of Medicine and our tailored student support services.
