The Real Guide to Being a Pre-Med

Mila Rubin

Many students enter college with hopes of a future in medicine and are subsequently given the title of a “pre-med.” The life of a “pre-med” is not smooth sailing, as there are many requirements needed in order to be eligible to apply for medical school, including years of chemistry, biology, physics, and math; a strong MCAT score; and other extracurricular opportunities to showcase your talents and skills. During the 2024–2025 application cycle, the Association of American Medical Colleges reports around 52,000 applicants to medical school, with around 23,000 students accepting offers and matriculating as first-year students. These numbers may seem daunting; however, there are many ways for you to get the preparation needed to be a strong candidate for application. Rather than needing to get into a prestigious club, I’ve laid out the important information from people who have gone through this process. This is the real guide to being a pre-med.

Tip 1. Be true to yourself: Don’t do things because you think they will get you somewhere. The top piece of advice I got from my interviewees was to be involved in activities that you are passionate about, since that is the foundation of your application and what will be asked of you in an interview. Rather than signing up for numerous activities that you are not passionate about, try to find activities that both interest you and can tie into your future in the medical field.

Tip 2. Be a good person, not only to others but also to yourself. Going down the path of a career in medicine is a long road and is very mentally taxing, and it is important to give yourself grace as you tackle this feat. In addition, being a supportive and kind peer is something that both medical students and residents admire and heavily advise, since much of being in medicine involves working in a team setting. Specifically, not comparing yourself to others (even though it is second nature) is something that is heavily stressed, as everyone has their own route to higher education.

Tip 3. Be open to opportunities. With regard regard to extracurricular activities, all of the interviewees mentioned keeping an open mind to extracurricular activities that present themselves (even if they are not in the field that you want to be in). For undergraduate students who go straight into medical school, it will still be between 4-7 years until you need to declare a speciality. Specifically when getting clinical and shadowing experience, it is important to go to as many fields as possible so you can be able to narrow down what your true interests are – but initially an open mind is necessary for success.

Tip 4. Strategize. The medical school application process is quite lengthy; thus, strategizing in order to get your application in early was heavily emphasized. Make sure to work with your advisors to complete required coursework. In addition, have your primary application ready as soon as the application opens, since medical school admissions are rolling and often include additional steps once your initial application is submitted.