College is where many students turn an interest in healthcare into a concrete plan. You will take prerequisite courses, look for clinical and service experience, and learn how professional school admissions work. Requirements vary by career and by school, so use this page as a starting point and confirm details with advisors and official sources.
Your roadmap
Exploring pre-health pathways
"Pre-health" is usually a plan, not a major. Students preparing for medicine, physician assistant studies, pharmacy, physical therapy, dentistry, and other fields can major in almost any subject as long as they complete the required courses. Visit your campus pre-health or career advising office early — advisors can help you understand course sequences and timelines. Join a pre-health club if your school has one. Keep exploring, too: many students discover a better-fitting profession only after they learn more about the options.
Understanding medical school prerequisites
Medical schools commonly expect coursework in subjects such as biology, chemistry (general and organic), biochemistry, physics, math or statistics, and English or writing, but each school sets its own requirements. Some schools also recommend courses in psychology or sociology. The AAMC (for MD programs) and AACOM (for DO programs) provide general guidance, but always check the admissions pages of the specific schools you are interested in, since requirements and policies can change.
Finding clinical exposure opportunities
Clinical experience shows you what patient care is really like and helps confirm your interest. Common options include hospital or clinic volunteering, shadowing a professional, working as a medical scribe, patient care technician, certified nursing assistant, or EMT, and helping at free clinics. In rural areas, opportunities may be fewer, so ask local clinics, health departments, nursing homes, and EMS agencies directly. Focus on meaningful, consistent involvement and reflect on what you learn from patients and care teams.
Research opportunities
Research is not required for every health profession, but it can build critical thinking and show curiosity. Start by reading faculty web pages in departments that interest you and politely emailing professors about openings in their labs or projects. Research can be in lab science, public health, social science, or clinical topics. Summer programs, such as NSF-funded Research Experiences for Undergraduates sites, offer structured experiences at many institutions. Ask your advisor or campus undergraduate research office for help getting started.
Volunteering
Community service helps you understand the needs of the people you hope to serve and shows a commitment to others. It does not have to be medical: tutoring, food assistance, mentoring younger students, or supporting older adults all build empathy and communication skills. Long-term involvement with one or two organizations is often more meaningful than many short commitments. If you come from a rural community, consider service that connects you with home, such as health education events or support for local programs.
Academic planning
A clear academic plan helps you fit prerequisites, your major, work, and other commitments into a realistic schedule. Map out when you will take each required course, keeping in mind that some sciences are offered only in certain terms and build on each other. Use campus resources like tutoring, office hours, and study groups early rather than waiting until you are struggling. Meet with your academic and pre-health advisors at least once a year to adjust your plan as your goals evolve.
Understanding the MCAT
The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a standardized, multiple-choice exam developed and administered by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). Most U.S. medical schools require it. The exam covers biological, chemical, and physical foundations of living systems, psychological and social foundations of behavior, and critical analysis and reasoning skills. Plan your test date around your coursework and application timeline, and use the AAMC website for official information on registration, test content, and preparation resources.
Undergraduate Students checklist
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