Medical School Requirements in 2026: Your Definitive Guide
Learn exactly what medical school prerequisites, extracurriculars, GPA benchmarks, and MCAT scores you need to meet premed requirements and maximize your chances of admission.
Understanding medical school requirements is crucial as you map out your college courses.
As a premed student, you know that you have to work harder than almost all of your college peers.
On top of difficult prerequisites (often dubbed "weeder classes"), you're building a clinical portfolio, cultivating mentor relationships, prepping for the MCAT, and writing application essays.
What makes it even harder is that every medical school sets its own expectations. What satisfies one med school might not satisfy another. Some expectations, like research, are not explicitly stated. Even MSAR, the most reliable centralized source for individual school admission requirements, can only reflect what programs officially disclose.
This guide, along with our guide on how to get into med school, was built to cut through that confusion. Whether you're a freshman mapping out your four-year plan or an upperclassman auditing your application readiness, you'll find everything you need here.
We cover course requirements, GPA and MCAT benchmarks, extracurricular expectations, letters of recommendation, and more. Follow these guidelines, and you'll meet the requirements of every U.S. medical school while positioning yourself as the strongest possible applicant.
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Degree requirement
What degree do you need to get into medical school?
Every U.S. medical school requires the completion of a four-year degree from an accredited college or university. It doesn't matter whether your bachelor’s degree is a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.).
"Four-year" doesn't mean you have to be enrolled for four full years. You can complete your degree sooner by taking more classes per term and graduate in three or three-and-a-half years. The degree requirement can also be satisfied through a BS/MD program.
Your degree must be obtained before matriculating into medical school, but you can apply before you've finished it. As long as your degree is conferred before you enroll, you're in the clear.
Some students choose to pursue graduate degrees before matriculating, such as a Master of Public Health (MPH) or Special Master's Program (SMP), but advanced degrees are not required.
Over 90% of our students get into med school—the first time.
Get our free 102-page guide to help you with every step: Get Into Medical School: 6 Practical Lessons to Stand Out and Earn Your White Coat
Course requirements
Medical school prerequisites vary more from school to school than almost any other requirement, which is why they’re so confusing. A course set that satisfies Harvard Medical School's requirements may not satisfy another program's.
The AAMC website lists the general courses required for medical school as follows:
One year of biology
One year of English
Two years of chemistry, through organic chemistry
Given the difficulty of getting into medical school, you're strongly encouraged to aim well beyond the minimum. We recommend completing courses that satisfy every school of medicine’s requirements so you can apply to the broadest possible range of programs. Here’s our list:
Biology: Lecture: Two semesters or three quarters | Lab: One term
General Chemistry: Lecture: One semester or two quarters | Lab: One term
Organic Chemistry: Lecture: Two semesters or two quarters | Lab: One term
Biochemistry: Lecture: One term | Lab: Not required
Physics: Lecture: Two semesters or three quarters | Lab: One term
Math: Two semesters or three quarters (must include calculus and statistics)
English: Two semesters or three quarters (must include writing)
(Note: Certain science majors may have additional course requirements.)
Complete the courses above as part of your official transcript, and you'll meet every medical school's technical standards.
Additional Recommendation: Consider taking courses in arts, humanities, languages, literature, and social sciences. There are no specific guidelines here, and you don't need to cover every area, but rounding out your coursework in these disciplines is something admissions committees (adcoms) appreciate.
As with your degree, prerequisites must be completed prior to enrollment, not prior to applying. You can apply to medical school with a few outstanding prerequisite courses still in progress, as long as they're finished before you enroll.
AP credits
Students often hope Advanced Placement (AP) credits will help satisfy premed prerequisites, but most medical schools require that prerequisite coursework be completed at the college level. So even if you scored a 5 on AP Biology and placed out of intro Bio at your university, that won't satisfy the requirement for one year of college-level general biology with a lab.
That’s why it’s important to research the policies of schools you're most interested in early. You don't want to discover a coursework gap mid-application cycle.
Does that mean taking AP courses was a complete waste? Absolutely not! If your scores earned you college credit, use it as an opportunity to take more advanced versions of those courses. For instance, rather than “General Chemistry,” consider taking “Advanced Chemistry Topics” or something else your university offers at a higher level.
Doing so will likely reflect positively on you as you apply to medical schools. Speak with your pre-health advisor to see what options are available at your school that meet the medical school prerequisite requirements beyond the “basic” level for each course.
Does my course schedule matter?
As far as formal medical school requirements go, your exact course schedule doesn't matter. What does matter is that all prerequisites are completed before matriculation. That said, a thoughtful schedule can make a significant difference in your outcomes.
Two reasons stand out. First, the premed curriculum is demanding, especially when compared to high school. Balancing difficult science courses with humanities or arts electives allows you to protect your GPA in the courses that matter most. Some schools even go so far as preventing students from taking too many tough courses at once.
Second, timing matters for the MCAT. The best time for most medical students to take the MCAT is between sophomore and junior year, after completing the core science prerequisites, but with enough time to retake it if needed. Unless you are planning to take a gap year, arranging your course schedule around the MCAT is a good idea.
Major requirements
Your premed major does not matter when it comes to medical school admissions.
As long as you complete all the prerequisites, you can major in anthropology, biology, chemistry, English, history, or physics. Most colleges and universities don't offer a separate premed major, so it's neither expected nor required.
There is no single best premed major. An English major with a 3.8 overall GPA and 3.7 science GPA will be just as competitive as a biochemistry major with the same stats. In fact, a humanities or social science degree can actually help differentiate you from the vast majority of biology majors in the applicant pool, as long as your prerequisite GPA is strong.
That said, your choice of major does have implications for how you'll structure your undergraduate schedule.
Science majors (Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Neuroscience) are the most common premed paths because the coursework overlaps heavily with med school prerequisites. Biology is considered the closest to a "traditional" premed major. If you choose a science major, you'll likely complete most of your prerequisites within your degree requirements.
Non-science majors (English, Psychology, Sociology, History, and others) require more deliberate planning. You'll still need to complete all prerequisite science courses on top of your major requirements, so your schedule will need to be mapped out carefully.
As long as you keep those prerequisites in mind, you should prioritize a major you'll genuinely excel in. A 3.8 GPA as an English major is more valuable than a 3.6 GPA as a physics major. Adcoms care more about what your GPA and MCAT scores demonstrate together.
Additional Recommendation: If you’ve already graduated with a BS or BA and realize you still have premed requirements outstanding, you may consider a post-bacc or SMP. These programs can help you meet these requirements even after you’ve graduated.
We often get asked whether a double major or a minor boosts your odds of getting into med school. While some adcoms will likely admire your diverse interests and pursuits, we have not observed it as a significant factor in admissions outcomes. Pursue it if it genuinely interests you, but don't do it just for the application boost.
GPA requirements
Most medical schools will not post a minimum GPA requirement, and most will automatically send you a secondary application once your primary is verified, regardless of your stats.
Despite the routine mention of "holistic admissions," though, med schools have high grade expectations. The average overall GPA among matriculants in the most recent cycle (2025-2026) was 3.81 across MD programs. For DO programs, that figure sits closer to 3.6.
What many premeds don't realize is that medical schools evaluate two GPAs: your overall GPA and your BCPM GPA (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Math). Adcoms weigh your BCPM GPA heavily, as it reflects your performance in the subjects most directly relevant to medical training.
A strong BCPM GPA can strengthen an otherwise average overall GPA. A weak one can sink a strong application. Aim to keep both as high as possible, but treat your BCPM with particular care.
Most importantly, it’s much tougher to get into medical school with a low GPA, so always protect your grades. Some students take too many courses or participate in too many extracurriculars at the start of undergrad, and their grades suffer as a result. A few terms with lower grades early on will make the rest of college an uphill academic battle.
Students routinely ask whether their GPA is “too low” or “good enough” to get into medical school and whether medical schools employ a cutoff when evaluating applications. Some do, and some don’t, but what’s most important is that you do as well as possible and apply to a balanced school list based on your stats.
When using MSAR to evaluate schools, ensure your GPA is at or above a given school's 10th percentile mark. Below that, your chances are extremely slim. Of course, the higher your grades, the better.
(Suggested Reading: Weighted vs. Unweighted GPA: What's the Difference?)
What if I have a low GPA?
A lower GPA doesn't automatically close doors, but it does require a more strategic approach. Here are your main options:
Earn a strong MCAT score. A 512 or higher can partially offset a lower GPA. Adcoms can't ignore a standout MCAT, and it signals the academic capability your GPA may not fully reflect.
Apply to DO programs. DO matriculants average a 3.6 GPA, so there’s some meaningful room there if your stats fall below MD program averages. Graduates can practice medicine in the same settings as MDs.
Consider a post-bacc program. Post-baccalaureate programs are designed for students who need to complete prerequisites or demonstrate an upward GPA trend after graduation. They're particularly valuable if your low GPA is concentrated in earlier semesters. Many schools look favorably on recent academic performance.
Consider an SMP. Some SMPs carry agreements with medical schools for a structured path to acceptance for students who need to show graduate-level academic readiness. If your GPA falls between 3.0 and 3.5, an SMP with linkage may be your most direct route.
Maximize your clinical hours. While this won't change your GPA, a compelling clinical profile (300 to 500 hours) can round out an application that might otherwise raise flags.
Additional Recommendation: You should always apply to a balanced school list based on your actual stats, not your aspirational ones.
The MCAT
Unless you're enrolled in a BS/MD program or an Early Assurance (EA) program, you will need to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) before matriculating into medical school. The MCAT is a standardized, approximately 7.5-hour exam divided into four sections:
Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems: General chemistry, physics, biochemistry, organic chemistry, and biology
Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS): Passage-based reasoning across humanities and social science topics
Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems: Primarily biology and biochemistry, with some general and organic chemistry
Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior: Psychology, sociology, and biology
Scores are reported on a scale of 472 to 528, with 500 as the midpoint. Most students should plan for three to four months of dedicated study time and develop a structured MCAT study schedule well in advance of their test date.
The earliest students typically take the MCAT is during the summer after their sophomore year. For those applying straight through without a gap year, January of junior year is also a viable window. The latest we recommend is April of your application year, and even that's pushing it. At the vast majority of schools, MCAT scores must be from within the last three years.
What’s a competitive score?
You should aim to do as well as possible on the MCAT. For 2025-2026, the average score among MD matriculants was 512.1. Among DO matriculants, it was 502.97.
A score of 511-512 or higher makes you competitive at a broad range of MD programs. If you're targeting top-tier or Ivy League programs, aim for 518 to 520. For DO programs, a score above 503 is generally competitive.
Keep in mind that these are averages, meaning plenty of admitted students scored both above and below these numbers. What matters to a college of medicine is the full picture of your application, not any single number in isolation. The higher your GPA, for example, the more you can withstand a slightly lower MCAT score.
That said, the higher your MCAT score, the more options you'll have.
Can I get into medical school without the MCAT?
You will typically need to take the MCAT exam before matriculation into a program, but there are some exceptions:
BS/MD and BA/MD programs: These are dual-degree programs for a combined undergraduate and medical degree. Several waive the MCAT entirely, including Brown University's Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME). These programs are very competitive, and many are restricted to residents of specific states.
Early Assurance Programs (EAPs): These programs allow current college sophomores to secure a spot at a partner medical school without taking the MCAT. Notable programs include Georgetown University’s EAP. Many EAPs are restricted to students at specific partner institutions, so eligibility varies.
International medical schools: Med schools abroad technically don't require the MCAT, but this route is strongly discouraged if you plan to practice in the U.S. International medical graduates face significant additional barriers to U.S. licensure, including having to complete or repeat residency stateside.
Note: U.S. permanent residents are typically treated as domestic applicants, while Canadian citizens’ status varies by school. See our guide for details on policies and options for international students.
It's also worth noting that many BS/MD and EAP programs update their requirements regularly. Some programs that previously waived the MCAT now require it. Always verify directly with each program's admissions office.
Casper
A growing number of MD and DO medical schools require applicants to take the Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics (Casper) test. Casper is a 65 to 85-minute situational judgment test that measures interpersonal skills, ethics, critical reasoning, and empathy. The format has evolved in recent cycles.
For the 2025-2026 cycle, Casper consists of 11 scenarios across two sections. In the video response section, there are four scenarios with two questions each, and you have one minute to record a video response per question. In the typed response section, there are seven scenarios with two questions each. You have 3.5 minutes total to respond to both questions per scenario.
Some people think that it’s unnecessary to prepare for Casper, but we disagree. Focus on pacing and how clearly you frame your reasoning under pressure. Brushing up on medical ethics is also time well spent.
Note that not all schools that require Casper require the accompanying Duet assessment. Duet is a value-alignment assessment that some programs require in addition to Casper. Check each school's requirements individually.
Should I take both the Casper and MCAT?
If the schools you're applying to require Casper, then yes, you'll need both. They serve completely different purposes and are not interchangeable. At most schools, your Casper score is one data point among many in a holistic review. Prioritize your MCAT and GPA first, but set aside some time to understand the Casper format and pacing.
Here’s a practical approach: build your school list first, then determine which schools require Casper. Take Casper early in your application cycle, ideally in May or June. Scores take a few weeks to reach schools, so timing matters.
Extracurricular activities
Competitive medical school applicants all have good-to-great grades and MCAT scores. That means that stats alone won’t differentiate you; they simply tell admissions committees whether you are academically ready. What actually sets applicants apart is how they've spent their time outside the classroom.
And while many medical schools state that they want to see certain competencies and skills demonstrated, they almost never specify exactly what to pursue or how many hours to log. That's where we come in.
We’ve covered specific recommendations in detail in our guide to choosing the right extracurriculars, but here is a summary of what adcoms typically expect:
Shadowing experience: Shadowing means observing physicians in any care setting, such as an outpatient clinic, operating room, community clinic, etc. We recommend 100+ hours across two or three specialties, ideally in multiple settings.
Clinical experience: Also called patient exposure, clinical experience involves direct, hands-on interaction with patient care in a healthcare setting. Common examples include working as an emergency medical technician (EMT) or medical assistant (MA). We recommend 500+ hours.
Community service: Otherwise known as non-clinical volunteering, this category is broad by design. You could tutor students from undeserved backgrounds or work with a charitable organization. We recommend 500+ hours within the last four years.
Research experience: Research experience can be obtained in wet lab or dry lab (often clinical) settings. Most competitive applicants, particularly at top MD programs, have completed at least one year of research in the same lab. Publications are not required, but they strengthen your profile considerably in the eyes of admissions committees.
Beyond the categories and hours above, admissions committees evaluate how your extracurriculars come together as a whole. Specifically, they're looking for evidence of:
Commitment to medicine
Knowledge of healthcare delivery
Interest in serving diverse populations
Passion for science
Interpersonal and communication skills
Leadership across multiple contexts
Leadership is a quality you should demonstrate across all of the categories. Admissions committees want to see whether you can take initiative and make an impact. We recommend three or more distinct leadership experiences, each lasting three or more months, within the last four years.
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Letter of recommendation requirements
Like coursework and extracurriculars, medical school letter of recommendation requirements can be confusing because they vary across schools.
There are so many layers to understanding med school recommendation letters that we published a separate, comprehensive resource on the subject.
The basics relevant to the admissions process are:
Two letters from science professors
One letter from a non-science professor
Two to three letters from individuals who have supervised you in an extracurricular setting, such as a research principal investigator (PI), clinical supervisor, or volunteer coordinator
Note: Science and non-science letters could come from undergrad or grad school professors.
Some colleges provide a committee letter that accompanies your other letters. Many top schools do not, so not having a committee letter will not hurt your application. (Note that if you submit a letter packet or committee letter, it typically counts as one letter toward the total.)
Some letter writers may also ask you to write your own letter that they will review, modify, and submit on your behalf. If you’re asked to do so, read this: How to Write Your Own Letter of Recommendation for Medical School.
It’s important to emphasize that the quality of your letters far outweighs quantity. Even if a school allows six letters, it’s better to submit fewer strong letters than to fill the limit with lukewarm endorsements.
Application requirements
After years of completing required coursework and pursuing meaningful extracurricular activities, you’ll need to complete your medical school applications. These applications, which require several months of work, are organized into the following phases:
Primary applications (AMCAS [MD] | AACOMAS [DO] | TMDSAS [Texas med schools])
MD-PhD essays (required only for MD-PhD applicants)
TMDSAS essays (includes required essays and an optional but strongly recommended essay)
Secondary applications (i.e., supplemental applications)
(Suggested Reading: Medical School Secondary Essay Prompts)
Interviews
Primary applications
Primary applications—AMCAS, AACOMAS, and TMDSAS—are centralized systems that collect your demographic information, academic history, personal statement, Work and Activities section (essentially an expanded resume), and letters of recommendation.
Primary applications open in early May each year. Because medical schools use rolling admissions, applying early can significantly improve your chances. After you submit, your application must be verified before it is transmitted to the medical schools on your list, which can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks.
Secondary applications
Secondary applications are school-specific applications submitted after your primary application is received. Most schools send secondaries to all applicants, but some are more selective.
This is often the busiest phase of the application process, as you will likely produce more written work than at any other point in your academic career. To stay on top of the workload, it’s best to pre-write essays using prompts from previous years. Otherwise, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed when many applications arrive at once.
Interviews
Medical schools that favorably review your application will invite you for an interview. Generally, the earlier you receive interview invitations, the higher your odds of getting into medical school.
Medical school interviews mostly come in three forms: traditional, MMI, or a hybrid of the two. Your interview prep should cover general skills for each style of interview and take into account the types of questions you can expect at a given school, which is one of the ways we support our students.
After interviews
Waiting for admissions decisions is the toughest part. During this time, you’ll want to consider sending update letters—a Letter of interest or letter of intent—to let medical schools know what you’ve been up to during the application cycle. You should also express continued interest in their program.
What if I take a gap year?
More premed students than ever are taking gap years before applying to medical school. A gap year will not hurt your chances of getting into medical school. In fact, when used strategically, it can strengthen your application.
Taking a gap year is worth considering if any of the following apply to you:
Your GPA or MCAT score is lower than what your target schools typically accept
You haven't completed all of your prerequisite courses
You received a competitive MCAT score late in the application cycle
Your shadowing, clinical, volunteer, or research hours are insufficient
You want to strengthen a specific part of your application before applying
A personal circumstance requires time and attention before you can commit fully
Admissions committees want to see that you spent the time purposefully, and taking a gap year isn't for everyone. You should carefully consider whether this path is for you or if you would prefer to move straight on to med school after graduation.
Frequently asked questions
Would attending a community college prior to transferring over to a 4-year university hurt my chances in any way of being admitted to medical school?
It depends on how you do at the community college, the four-year school, and the MCAT. Medical schools look at your entire academic record. If you do well across the board, the community college issues become less significant.
However, if you do well at the community college but struggle at the four-year school, your community college grades might be questioned. The same goes if you struggle on the MCAT despite doing well in school.
How do I choose a medical school?
Naturally, you’ll want to attend “the best” medical school, but with so many to choose from—each with its own advantages—how do you decide what’s best for you?
One factor to consider when choosing a medical school is the school’s location. Schools often offer resident and non-resident rates, and in-state residents always pay the lower rate when the rates vary by residency.
Location is also crucial for your future plans and where you intend to practice medicine. For this reason, most medical schools will want to know what ties you have to that state and whether you plan to stay there upon graduation. (This is a common secondary essay question.)
Of course, cost is another factor. With medical school costs ranging from tuition-free to hundreds of thousands annually, cost and affordability may dictate the schools that make it to your list of places to apply.
Even if you aren’t pursuing an MD-PhD degree, you’ll need to engage in plenty of research in med school, so the research opportunities available are another factor to consider. Are there ample projects and labs for you to participate in? How easy is landing a research opportunity? Are the school’s faculty and staff members usually open to collaboration?
Another consideration is your stats. What are the stats for the most recent class, and do your own GPA and MCAT score seem competitive with those stats? If you’re not within .2 points of the average matriculant to the school, you might not present a competitive application.
Is 27 too late to become a doctor?
While the average age of medical school matriculants is around 24, many students apply and are accepted later in their 20s and beyond. Admissions committees do not have a maximum age cutoff, and being older is not viewed negatively.
We get this question often from nontraditional applicants. The fact is, nontraditional applicants can bring valuable life experience, maturity, and clarity of purpose to their applications. What matters most is not your age, but whether you have a strong academic record, meaningful clinical and extracurricular experiences, and a clear motivation for pursuing medicine.
What are common mistakes to avoid in medical school applications?
Even strong applicants can make mistakes in their med school applications that hurt their chances. Here are some of the most common we see:
Starting too late: Medical school applications take months to complete, and waiting until the last minute increases stress and makes it more likely that you’ll overlook details.
Generic essays: Personal statements and secondary essays should reflect your unique story and motivation, not the experiences of someone else.
Incomplete or inaccurate information: Always double-check that things like your grades, coursework, and recommendation submissions are accurate and complete.
Weak letters of recommendation: Choosing recommenders who don’t know you well or cannot speak to your strengths can significantly weaken your application.
Underpreparing for interviews: Strong interview skills are essential, especially for traditional and MMI formats, and insufficient preparation can hurt your chances.
How many times can I take the MCAT?
The schools you’re applying to may have a specific answer, though typically, they will only look at MCAT scores that go back three years. The AAMC limits the number of times you can take the MCAT annually and in your lifetime to the following:
Three times in a given year
Four times over the course of two years
Seven times in your lifetime
Final thoughts
Applying to medical school can feel daunting, but breaking it down step by step and knowing exactly what schools expect makes it more manageable. We’ve covered everything from prerequisites and GPA benchmarks to MCAT prep, letters of recommendation, and extracurricular strategy, so you have a complete roadmap to follow.
If you want even more tips, templates, and insider strategies to make your application stand out, sign up for our comprehensive med school admissions ebook below. It’s designed to help premeds like you feel confident, prepared, and ready to impress admissions committees.
About the Author
Dr. Shirag Shemmassian is the Founder of Shemmassian Academic Consulting and one of the world's foremost experts on medical school admissions. For over 20 years, he and his team have helped thousands of students get into medical school using his exclusive approach.
Want to know exactly what it takes to get into America's top medical schools?
Get our free 102-page guide to help you with every step: Get Into Medical School: 6 Practical Lessons to Stand Out and Earn Your White Coat
