top of page
Search

High School to Medical School: A Complete 4-Year Pre-Med Preparation Guide


ree

Essential College Coaches has created a 4-year high school plan to prepare you. This plan will show you how to build a strong academic record, how to find clinical experience and take part in the kinds of leadership opportunities that display your interests, character and values. College Admissions evaluates each of these items on your application.


Freshman Year (9th Grade) – Foundation Year

Academics

  • Take honors or advanced courses in:

    • Biology

    • Algebra I or Geometry

    • English

    • History/Social Science

  • Start building strong study habits to keep your GPA strong from the start.

Extracurriculars

  • Join science-related clubs: Science Olympiad, HOSA, Biology Club, etc.

  • Volunteer regularly: Hospitals, senior homes, Red Cross, shelters.

Summer

  • Do a volunteer project (40+ hours).

  • Consider a science camp or enrichment program (if available/affordable).

  • Visit colleges near you or on your travels to begin developing your priority list of college must-haves.


Sophomore Year (10th Grade) – Exploration & Early Involvement

Academics

  • Take honors or advanced courses in:

    • Chemistry

    • Geometry or Algebra II

    • Continue honors/AP classes if available (e.g., AP Bio if you’re advanced)

  • Start preparing for PSAT (for National Merit).

Extracurriculars

  • Take on leadership roles in clubs.

  • Continue volunteering and tracking hours.

  • Shadow a doctor or healthcare professional if possible.

Summer

  • Attend a medical or STEM summer program (e.g., local university or hospital-based).

  • Start SAT/ACT prep if planning to test early.

  • Prepare for the PSAT test in October (for National Merit contention).

  • Take a number of college tours, narrowing down your priority list - the size of the college, the location, the premed program highlights, the success the college has - with strong MCAT scores and acceptance to top medical schools.


Junior Year (11th Grade) – Peak Academics & Focus on your Passion for Healthcare

Academics

  • Take honors or advanced courses in:

    • Physics

    • Pre-Calculus or Calc

    • AP Courses: AP Chem, AP Bio, AP Lang, APUSH

  • Focus on maintaining a 3.9+ GPA (unweighted) 

Extracurriculars

  • Apply for competitive summer programs:

    • UPMC Health Scholar Academy

    • Magee-Women’s Research Institute 

    • NIH

    • SIMR (Stanford)

    • RISE (BU)

    • HSHSP (Michigan)

    • Your state’s Health Professional Governor School programs

  • Take leadership roles in clubs or start your own initiative (health or service-based).

  • Consider clinical experience like hospital volunteering, CNA or EMT certifications, etc.

Testing

  • Take the SAT/ACT in spring or early summer.

  • Take the PSAT (National Merit Contention)

  • Take AP Exams.

Summer

  • Do research or a clinical internship.

  • Continue volunteering or take community college courses in science.

  • Sign up for on-campus tours to all the schools you plan to apply to. Be a savvy consumer aware of all the reasons this college fulfills your college plans. 


 Senior Year (12th Grade) – College Applications & Consistency

Academics

  • APs: AP Bio/Chem/Physics, AP Calc, AP Psych, AP Lit

  • Finish with strong grades, many colleges look at first-semester transcripts

College Apps

  • Create a balanced college list with a focus on Safety and Target schools where your chance of merit scholarship money is higher. It is often smart to take the highest merit offer as an undergraduate, because you will still be financing an expensive medical school education.

  • Apply to schools with strong pre-med undergraduate programs. Please note that BS/MD direct admit programs are some of the most competitive and have lower acceptance rates than the Ivies.

  • Write a compelling personal statement focused on your passion for medicine, resilience, leadership, etc.

  • Include letters of recommendation from science teachers and mentors.

Extracurriculars

  • Solidify your “passion” — a consistent theme in healthcare or science.

  • Continue leadership and long-term volunteer roles.

  • Reflect depth, not just breadth.

Summer After Graduation

  • Consider a pre-college program, travel with purpose (e.g., medical missions), or work in a healthcare setting.

  • Prepare mentally for the rigor of pre-med college life.

Comments

bottom of page