Many people dream of becoming a doctor or a nurse, and being able to help people. But the road to achieve this is long and bumpy. Being accepted into medical school is difficult - the general acceptance rates are between 4-6%. So, how can you increase your chances of getting into medical school?
Below are the essential steps to get into medical school, including studying for the MCAT, preparing for your interview, and gaining relevant experience. By following these strategies, you can significantly improve your chances of getting into medical school and make your application stand out.
Getting into medical school - the MCAT
The first and most crucial step you should undertake is preparing for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). A high MCAT score is often one of the biggest determinants of whether or not you'll get accepted into medical school. You should try a combination of different approaches to studying:
- Study on your own - the most simple and common way. Plan your study time each day and keep to it. You can’t learn everything in one night. Don’t forget to plan your revisions - going back to what you’ve already learned is as vital as learning itself. You may plan your revisions after going through a certain amount of material, or after a fixed period of time (e.g. weekly).
- Study with your friends - group studying and testing each other is a great way to improve your knowledge of the topic, and to make sure that you won’t forget crucial information. If you have got some friends who are also trying to get into medical school, call them and plan your study sessions.
- Get tutoring - private tutors are a great way of making sure that you make progress. It’s not a shame to take tutoring - it’s actually smart, as you can reap the harvest of the tutor’s experience and knowledge. Plus, you will have a person to clarify any points that you find difficulty with.
Prepare for the medical school interview - increase your chances of getting into medical school
One of the steps of being accepted into medical school is the interview with someone from the university. The number of people interviewing you may vary depending on the university, similar to the questions that you will be asked. Nevertheless, you can still do some research and prepare yourself for this challenge.
One way of doing this is checking out the most common questions. There’s no rule which questions you will be asked, but you can still find numerous examples on the internet. Try reaching out to someone who is already studying at the university of your choice - you might get information on what they were asked while getting into the medical school. And even if they won’t help you with this, it’s always good to know someone from a higher year - you can exchange notes, and get some tips on the courses.
Remember to practice your interview - try answering some of the most common questions, pay attention to your body language - it’s as important as the answers! Think of ways to reduce stress before the interview - motivating stress can help you achieve your goal, but if there’s too much of it, it can block you. Try having rest one day before the interview, plan your favorite activity then and don’t think about the next day - it will help you perform better at the interview.
Get some experience to get accepted into medical school
Having experience in healthcare is a big plus for the university. You don’t need to be a doctor to gain medical experience - you can try out other jobs, such as medical scribe. This will make you much more attractive for your university - it doesn't only prove your experience but also your willingness to develop. This way your chances of getting into medical school will rapidly go up!
Universities are looking for well-rounded individuals who are passionate about medicine. Showing that you’ve taken initiative and exposed yourself to real-world healthcare environments will demonstrate that you understand the demands of a medical career — and that you're ready for it.
The key steps to get into medical school – Summed up
While getting into medical school is challenging, there are clear and actionable steps to get into medical school that can boost your chances. Whether it’s studying for the MCAT, practicing your interview, or gaining hands-on experience in healthcare — every effort counts.
If you are interested in a medical career, check our article on 3 best medical field jobs - maybe you’ll find there something that you would like to do in the future.
