Pre-Med Guide: Courses, Schools, and When to Start

Thinking about medical school might seem like a college-level decision, but for many successful students, the journey starts in middle or early high school—especially when it comes to math and science.

In this guide, we’ll help you understand:

• What the pre-med track really means
• How AP and accelerated courses impact future success
• What colleges are best for pre-med—and why rankings can be misleading
• What your child can start doing now to stay ahead

What Is the Premed Track?

A “premed” track isn’t a college major, but an intention or a program. It’s a set of courses and experiences that prepare students for applying to medical school.

Typical Doctor Path:

• High School – Build strong habits, focus on math, science, and early exposure to healthcare
• College (4 years) – Major in any subject, complete required science courses, and take the MCAT
• Medical School (4 years) – Academic and clinical training
• Residency (3–7 years) – Full-time, hands-on training in a chosen specialty
• Fellowship (1–3 years, optional) – Advanced training in a subspecialty

Does every university has a pre-med track?

Not exactly.

Most U.S. colleges don’t offer a “pre-med” major. Instead, they provide:

• Pre-med advising and course planning
• MCAT preparation, research opportunities, and recommendation letters
• Optional tracks like “pre-health” or “pre-medical studies” as minors or certificates

As long as a student completes the core science requirements, they can major in anything—from biology to English to economics.

Are There Prerequisites for Pre-Med?

There’s no official set of “pre-med prerequisites” at the college level—pre-med is not a major, but a track students build by completing the courses required for medical school applications.

Most medical schools expect applicants to complete the following undergraduate coursework:

• 1 year of Biology (with lab)
• 1 year of General Chemistry (with lab)
• 1 year of Organic Chemistry (with lab)
• 1 year of Physics (with lab)
• Biochemistry
• Math (Calculus and/or Statistics)
• English or writing-intensive courses
• Psychology/Sociology (recommended, especially for MCAT prep)

Other key components for admission:

• High GPA (especially in science)
• Strong MCAT score (avg. ~511 for MD admits)
• Clinical experience (volunteering, shadowing, or patient care)
• Letters of recommendation (ideally including science faculty and physicians)
• Some schools also require CASPer or AAMC PREview

Tip: Check individual med school requirements via the AAMC MSAR database

What Students Can Do in High School

High school is a critical time to lay the foundation for a future in medicine. Students who build strength in math and science early gain more flexibility later—for APs, research, and meaningful experiences.

Main focus:

• Academic Preparation:
  • Maintain a high GPA — still the most important indicator of academic ability
  • Take the most rigorous STEM courses available — aim for all AP-level math and science classes
  • Demonstrate academic depth — especially important for students considering future research or PhD-level study in science
• Extracurricular Development:
  • Participate in university-level research labs to gain early exposure to academic work
  • Attend summer programs offering college-level biology or science courses — a great way to test readiness for the pre-med track
  • Shadow doctors and volunteer in clinical or healthcare-related settings
  • Join health-related clubs to build long-term interest and leadership

Why AP Courses Matter—Especially in Math and Science

According to the AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges), students preparing for medical school should take:

• Biology
• Chemistry (General and Organic)
• Physics
• Calculus or Statistics
• Psychology (covered on the MCAT)

Many of these are available as AP courses in high school. Scoring a 4 or 5 on AP exams shows colleges that a student is ready for college-level rigor.

However, because high school schedules are limited, students need to plan ahead to make room for these APs.

Accelerated Math Track: The Key to Unlocking AP Science

One of the best ways to free up time for advanced coursework is to start early in math. Students who complete Algebra 1 and Geometry before high school can:

• Take AP Calculus AB/BC by 10th or 11th grade
• Start AP Biology or Chemistry earlier
• Explore electives like AP Psychology or AP Statistics
• Make time for research programs, internships, or summer science camps

Delaying math acceleration often means students can’t complete all the recommended APs before college applications.

Wondering if your kids ready for middle school accelerated math track? Take Think Academy free assessment for your corresponding grade and get 1-on-1 feedback

Real Case: Vicky’s Path to Dental School

Vicky, a Think Academy guest speaker, is an orthodontic resident at Penn Dental Medicine. She chose the medical path early in high school, driven by her personality, interests, and long-term career goals—knowing it would take over a decade of commitment.

Highlights from Her Journey:

• Took 13 AP courses in high school, including AP Biology and AP Psychology
• SAT: 2320/2400
• Research at Dartmouth (10th grade summer)
• College-level biology at Yale (11th grade summer)
• Biology major + Studio Art minor at Boston College
• Accepted by: Cornell, UCB, Boston College, NYU, UWash, Wake Forest

Her story shows how early academic planning, especially in math and science, can open doors to top programs and long-term success in the medical field.

Key Tips for Students aiming for Pre-Med

• Major doesn’t really matter — but complete required science courses.
• AP credits may not waive med school requirements.
• Expect a heavy load — lots of time in labs and science courses.

Best Pre-Med Schools: What Actually Matters

While rankings are a common starting point for families choosing a pre-med college, discussions within the pre-med community and actual admissions data suggest that factors beyond brand name—like support, fit, and GPA outcomes—matter more.

What to Look for in a Pre-Med College

Theme	Description
Prestige ≠ Advantage	Schools like Harvard, Yale, and Duke attract top students—but those same students would likely succeed anywhere.
Grade Inflation vs. Deflation	Schools like Brown help students maintain a high GPA. Others like JHU or MIT are known for tough grading. GPA is key for med school.
Cost and Debt	In-state or affordable colleges are often the smarter choice. Medical school is expensive—saving now matters later.
Supportive Environment	Students thrive where they can succeed academically and feel supported—not just challenged.
Committee Letters	Some schools (e.g., Vanderbilt, Rice) write committee letters for all applicants. This helps during med school admissions.
Acceptance Rate Filtering	Some colleges only report med school acceptance rates for high-GPA/MCAT students. Be cautious when comparing data.
There Is No One “Best” School	Students can succeed from nearly any college if they work hard, keep their GPA up, and get good experience. Fit matters more than rankings.

Top Colleges Frequently Recommended for Pre-Med

School	Location	Avg SAT	Med School Acceptance Rate*	Notes
Boston University	Boston, MA	1430-1510	85%	Strong advising and Boston clinical access; high tuition.
Brown University	Providence, RI	1420–1570	~85%	GPA-friendly and flexible curriculum.
Columbia University	New York, NY	1510-1560	91%	Rigorous academics and NYC hospital access.
Cornell University	Ithaca, NY	1480–1560	76%	Demanding STEM environment with robust advising.
Georgetown University	Washington, DC	1390–1550	75–80%	Early assurance available; competitive but well-supported.
Harvard University	Cambridge, MA	1550	95%	Prestigious and well-resourced; high competition.
Johns Hopkins University	Baltimore, MD	1530–1580	97%	Strong research and advising; grade deflation noted.
MIT	Cambridge, MA	1510–1580	Not published	Elite research environment; high academic rigor.
Northwestern University	Evanston, IL	1490–1580	Not published	Excellent advising and Chicago med connections.
Rice University	Houston, TX	1500–1570	80–90%	Supportive environment with committee letters.
Stanford University	Stanford, CA	1510–1580	Not published	Top-tier resources; smaller pre-med community.
University of Chicago	Chicago, IL	1510–1570	80%	Intense academics with early clinical exposure.
UNC–Chapel Hill	Chapel Hill, NC	1330–1500	~60%	In-state value, strong advising, clinical focus.
University of Notre Dame	Notre Dame, IN	1440–1540	84%	Holistic pre-health approach with humanities integration.
University of Pennsylvania	Philadelphia, PA	1500–1570	76%	Strong med school pipelines; competitive environment.
USC	Los Angeles, CA	1410–1550	75–80%	Research access; GPA challenges noted in STEM.
University of Washington	Seattle, WA	1330–1500	76%	Robust research/clinical options; no undergrad advantage.
Vanderbilt University	Nashville, TN	1470–1570	78%	Universal committee letters and strong outcomes.
Yale University	New Haven, CT	1500–1580	88%	Flexible curriculum; strong interdisciplinary support.

*Source: Data compiled from multiple online sources

Final Advice for Parents

Choosing the right school and starting strong in math and science can set your child up for long-term success in medicine. But the most important thing is finding a school and learning path where your child can thrive.

How You Can Support:

• Encourage your child to get ahead in math before high school
• Plan for key AP courses by 10th and 11th grade
• Help them explore science opportunities early through summer programs
• Focus less on brand name when choosing schools, and more on where they can get good grades and support

Ready to See If Your Child Is on Track?

Think Academy’s free math evaluation helps families identify whether students are ready for an accelerated math track—a key step toward early AP coursework and long-term success in STEM or pre-med.

and get personalized feedback from our advisor team.

About Think Academy

Navigate your child’s educational journey with expert guidance from Think Academy, part of TAL Education Group. We provide valuable educational research and insightful analyses to help parents and students strategically plan for long-term academic growth in K–12 education. Trust Think Academy for authoritative information and resources to ensure informed decisions and successful educational outcomes.

Want more insights on math education and parenting tips? Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly expert advice and updates on the latest learning tools