What Admissions / Med Schools Look For
- Solid academic foundation: particularly in science, math, and lab.
- Extracurriculars & community service: activities that demonstrate you care, demonstrate leadership, demonstrate long-term commitment.
- Research experience with medicine: shadowing, internship, camps — to demonstrate you’ve delved into the profession.
- Soft skills: communication, empathy, teamwork, grit, critical thinking.
- Good planning, balance, and honesty. Better to do a few things well than many things badly. Long-term commitment is important.
A few things Indian applicants need to consider:
- Board exams are important (CBSE, ICSE, State Boards) — Class 10, 11, 12 performance is crucial. High scores are useful for local medical college admission (in case you are also preparing for NEET) and universities abroad.
- NEET / AIIMS and other competitive exams need conceptual grasp; excessive dependence solely on exam training can be detrimental to general preparedness.
- Use of labs, shadowing in medicine, and research could be restricted; alternatives (online, hospitals nearby, NGOs) may have to be searched.
- Availability and affordability of summer school abroad are more challenging; local alternatives and online courses are available.
So What Exactly is Pre-Med?
Pre-med isn’t actually a specific major at most colleges. Instead, it’s a set of courses designed to get you ready for medical school. You’ll take classes in chemistry, biology, and math, and spend time in labs getting hands-on experience. While each school might have slightly different requirements, they’re pretty similar across the board since medical schools want all their incoming students to have the same foundation of knowledge.
FAQs: How to Prepare for Pre-Med in High School
What can high school students do to prepare themselves for medical school?
There are many ways in which high school students can start preparing for pre-medical programs. Our specialists suggest these methods:
- Take International Baccalaureate (IB) or Advanced Placement (AP) courses, especially in science, mathematics, and English
- Engage in science or medical summer camps
- Work health-related summer jobs
- Conduct independent academic research
- Tap into resources from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC)
Initiative in your high school years is a sign of dedication and enhances your academic background.
Which extracurricular activities are helpful for pre-medical students at the high school level?
Successful pre-medical extracurriculars go beyond medicine-related activities. While shadowing physicians and volunteering in hospitals or clinics remains worthwhile, look into these other options:
- Community outreach and service programs
- Clubs:
- Anatomy Club
- Biology Club
- Medical Explorers
- Neuroscience Club
- Sports Medicine
- Instrument training on musical instruments
- Interning with a Pathology/Diagnostics lab
- Shadowing: From conducting research to interacting with patients, students in medical school and doctors have to apply their knowledge in unique ways. High school students can gain exposure to this sort of hands-on experience by shadowing a local doctor, interning at a hospital or doctor’s office, or conducting relevant research.
- Chasing unique hobbies or interests
- Independent research initiatives
- Experiencing work opportunities across diverse fields
- Competitions: You could consider participating in the Biology Olympiad, the premier national biology competition for high schoolers, sponsored by the Center for Excellence in Education.
Local and web-based opportunities are available for interested students in high school. Watch community newspapers, local hospitals, and local universities for camps and volunteer opportunities.
What Advanced Placement courses are suggested as pre-medical preparation?
Pre-medical students should take all the high school-level science and mathematics courses offered, with concentrations in biology, chemistry, and physics. AP courses in humanities, languages, social sciences, and other areas also provide a well-rounded academic record.
What steps should I take to prepare for enrolling in a pre-medical program?
Students who are unsure about pre-medical studies may find it helpful to participate in science or medical summer programs before entering college. Thorough research, involvement in related activities, and development of organizational skills will help them make the transition smoothly.
What high school courses prepare students for careers in medicine?
Students have the opportunity to study advanced math and science under honors, AP, IB, or dual enrollment.
But don’t limit yourself to science and math alone – social sciences, history, languages, and arts courses make for a well-rounded academic background while giving you the scope to focus on individual interests.
Roadmap for High School Students on How to Prepare for Pre Med while in High School
| Grade | Academic Focus | Extracurricular / Exposure | Soft/Personal Growth & Other Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 9 / Equivalent | • Build strong fundamentals in science & math (Physics, Chemistry, Biology). • Develop good study habits. • Start working on English / language skills too. | • Time management habits. • Communication skills (speaking, writing) — maybe speech, debates. • Reading broadly (science, popular science, health). • Talk to doctors and seniors about medicine. Gain awareness. | • Do very well in board exams. Strong grades in science & math. • Choose interest electives (if available) aligned with sciences. • Build lab skills/experiment with science fairs. |
| Grade 10 | • Continue/step up club participation. • If possible, participate in science/biology/chemistry Olympiads or competitions. • Start shadowing or hospital visits (with parent/school help). • Local volunteering in health-related areas. | • Leadership roles in clubs. • Projects: maybe write a small article/science blog, or a research project idea under a teacher. • Reflect on whether medicine is your passion. Seek honest feedback. | • Work on personal statement/career vision: why medicine, what area, what motivates you. • Build resilience: harder subjects, tougher workloads. • Improve communication: maybe teaching/tutoring juniors; public speaking. • Understand NEET & other exams’ patterns: but balance exam prep + other growth. |
| Grade 11 | • Internships or shadowing more seriously: try to spend time in clinics and hospitals. • Participate in science fairs/competitions regionally / nationally. • Start research exposure if possible (even assisting a teacher, school lab). • More volunteer work: rural health camps etc. • Summer program options (online / in India). | • Internships or shadowing more seriously: try to spend time in clinics and hospitals. • Participate in science fairs/competitions regionally / nationally. • Start research exposure if possible (even assisting a teacher, school lab). • More volunteer work: rural health camps, etc. • Summer program options (online / in India). | • Very high performance in board/midterms. Strong in labs/experiments. • Take up extra courses: e.g., online MOOCs in biology / human anatomy/biochemistry, etc., if accessible. • If the school offers practical / lab time, use it well. |
| Grade 12 | • Highest priority: board exams + NEET or relevant tests. Don’t let extracurriculars hurt academics. • Advanced learning: if possible, do extra reading / deeper understanding, not just rote. | • Join science club, biology/nature / health clubs in school. • Volunteer locally (e.g. hospital, NGO) even if non-clinical. • Explore interests: do you enjoy biology, chemistry, research, service, etc. • Summer / online courses if possible (basic biology, first aid etc.). | • Join science club, biology/nature/health clubs in school. • Volunteer locally (e.g. hospital, NGO) even if non-clinical. • Explore interests: do you enjoy biology, chemistry, research, service, etc. • Summer / online courses if possible (basic biology, first aid etc.). |
Mistakes to Avoid while Preparing for Pre-Med while in High School
- Overstuffing with too many extracurriculars without depth. It is better to have 2-3 done well than 10 half-heartedly.
- Ignoring board results/entrance test preparation. A poor score can override other strengths.
- Imitation (e.g., pursuing a trend program just because everyone else does) instead of selecting what truly interests you.
- Very late start: little or no substantial exposure by the time applications or entrance exams are due.
Final Thoughts
- Start early. The sooner you start, the longer you have to build and look back.
- Quality > Quantity. Fewer things with substance are preferable to lots of things without substance.
- Be true. Genuine interest in medicine, health care,and helping others will shine through.
- Maintain mental health/balance. Medicine is long; burnout can creep in early. Make sure to rest, have hobbies, and have family time.
- Seek mentorship. Consult with doctors / senior medical students/teachers familiar with both Indian & foreign systems.
Need help with career planning and/or college admissions? Please feel free to contact us!
Tanmoy Ray is an experienced admissions consultant and content marketer with a passion for helping students achieve their global education dreams. After completing his Master’s degree in the UK, he worked with leading universities including the University of Oxford (UK), Utrecht University (Netherlands), and the University of New South Wales (Australia). Tanmoy combines his deep expertise in higher education with a talent for crafting student-focused resources that simplify complex admissions processes.