How To Prepare Yourself for Medical School as an Undergrad

Photo courtesy of Vivian Le

Making the choice to pursue a career in medicine is the first step in becoming a physician, but it can
feel like a terrifying leap of faith. Looking back, I still can’t believe that I was able to get through
undergrad unscathed. If you’ve decided that you want to be a doctor but feel a bit lost, here’s some insight into what the journey will look like.

1. Deciding Your Major

There’s no “correct” major for a pre-med student, but there are common choices. Many pre-med
students, including myself, choose to major in the sciences because it’s the easiest way to earn a
degree while completing prerequisites that are required from medical schools.

However, if you have a major that you’re excited about, go for it! I know countless current med
students who majored in subjects like business, architecture, and even computer science. It’ll take
some extra work, but pursuing something that you’re passionate about can make you stand out.

2. Get Involved!

It’s tempting to choose your extracurriculars based on what you think med schools will want, but
I advise you to do what you love. I joined the Asian Student Conference (ASC) at Wichita State
and eventually served as president. Through this experience, I was able to gain leadership skills,
give back to my community, and help other students learn about Asian culture. My activities in
ASC had nothing to do with medicine but helped me show what I’m passionate about. If you’re
having trouble thinking about what organizations you should join, take a look at WSU’s Student
Organization Index for some ideas!

Photo courtesy of Vivian Le

3. Work Experience

It is so incredibly important to make sure you’re getting experience in healthcare before you
apply to med school. You need to make sure this is what you want to do. Without enough
exposure to medicine, there’s no way for you to fully convince yourself or the acceptance
committee that you truly want to become a physician.

During undergrad, I worked as a medical assistant and medical interpreter. Another common
occupation for pre-med students is scribing at the hospital. I recommend speaking with your
pre-med advisor so that they can give you insight on current job openings in Wichita.

4. Shadowing

Shadowing can be difficult if you don’t already have a physician in mind to contact. If you do,
that’s great! Send them an email asking if you can observe them throughout the day. Make sure to
introduce yourself and share your goals in this message so that they can get to know you. If you
don’t know who to ask, don't worry! The Pre-Medical Student Association at WSU often invites
physicians to speak during panels. Attending these sessions is a great way to network and find
potential shadowing opportunities.

5. Take a Breath

Sticking with your goal of becoming a doctor becomes increasingly difficult when you realize
that even after years of working hard to gain experience and maintain a high GPA, you have a
long way to go. Allow yourself some grace and explore new options during this time, but
remember that you began this journey for a reason! Medical schools don’t always want someone
who breezed through undergrad with a 4.0. Your challenges make you who you are - there is great
value in overcoming them.

6. Taking the MCAT

Traditionally, the MCAT is taken the year before you plan to apply for med school. I studied for
the MCAT during the spring semester of my third year and took the test that summer. I won’t lie to
you, it’s going to be hard. The best time to begin studying is during the summer break before your
third year if you plan to apply during your fourth year. This gives you more time during the day to
study without having to worry about classes.

You have the choice of self-studying or using a prep course. Prep courses can be expensive, but if
you think more structure and accountability would be beneficial while you study, I would look
into it. If you do decide to self-study, make sure to create your own schedule and stick to it!

7. Applying for Med School

This is probably the scariest part of the journey, but it’s the last step! Make sure to research
the timeline of the year you plan to apply so that you are up to date on all of the deadlines. Your
application is your chance to show the acceptance committee who you are. The best piece of
advice I can give you is to tell them your story. You are so much more than your GPA and MCAT
score. Show them why you want to pursue medicine and what you’re passionate about.

What I have shared is only an outline of what it takes to get accepted into medical school, not a
concrete path. There is no right or wrong way of becoming a physician; There’s no shame in taking more
or less time during your journey. The process is going to be difficult, but the outcome is more rewarding
than you can imagine. Good luck!