Preparing for Medical School

It’s never too early to start preparing for medical school. Below is a list of suggestions for starting as early as freshman year in college.

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Freshman Year

• Schedule a meeting with your university's Pre-Health advisor and the OSU-COM recruitment team to request being added to an email server list for pre-med emails. Also, discuss the coursework needed for your major and explore the pathway to medical school.
• Connect with and follow medical schools on social media.
• Get involved in science and pre-med organizations, as well as extracurricular activities on campus. Remember to keep records of your involvement.
• Look for opportunities to gain health-related experience through volunteering, employment, and internships.
• Ask about admission options and their application deadlines.
• Maintain a competitive GPA.

Sophomore Year

• Keep up with the required coursework for your major and any prerequisites for medical school.
• Continue to gain healthcare-related experience.
• Explore opportunities to participate in undergraduate research if you're interested.
• Stay engaged in Pre-Health organizations and consider taking on leadership roles. 
• Attend recruitment events and schedule tours of medical schools to learn more about them.
• Take the time to get to know medical school recruitment and admissions teams through advisement and visits to campuses.
• Maintain a competitive grade point average (GPA).
• Check admission options at medical schools and their application deadlines.

Junior Year

• Schedule a meeting with your Academic or Pre-Health Advisor to review your transcript and make sure you're on the right path for your major.
• Maintain a competitive GPA.
• Look for prep courses or resources to prepare for the MCAT.
• Take MCAT practice tests.
• Look into medical schools that pique your interest and consider visiting them for tours.
• The AACOMAS application opens in May. Be sure to check application deadlines for schools you want to apply to avoid missing any important dates.
• Continue gaining health-related experience, volunteering, and taking on leadership roles on and off campus.

Summer after Junior Year

Are you ready to apply for medical school? The AACOMAS application for osteopathic medical schools opens in May. 

 

Here are the steps you need to take:

• Find out if you are eligible for fee assistance waivers for the MCAT and the ACCOMAS application. 
• Order transcripts to submit to AACOMAS.
• Submit secondary applications upon receipt.
• Confirm the application timeline for medical schools to ensure you do not miss important dates.
• Work with evaluators or Pre-Health committees to request letters of recommendation.
• Click this link to register for the MCAT or find out when it is offered.
• Release your MCAT score to AACOMAS electronically using the AAMC’s MCAT Score Reporting System.
• Continue to attend recruitment events at medical schools you applied to or are interested in.

Senior Year

• Meet with your Academic Advisor and/or Pre-Health Advisor to ensure you are completing the required coursework for your bachelor's degree.
• Maintain a competitive GPA.
• Stay involved in Pre-Health organizations and volunteer activities.
• Check the status tab in AACOMAS to monitor the status of your application.
• If applicable, complete the FAFSA application for financial aid.
• Email medical schools with any updates to your application.
• Continue to attend recruitment events at medical schools you have applied to or are interested in.
• Continue gaining health-related experience.