Medicine (also see Health)
Read our Medicine
guide to learn how to prepare and apply to medical school. Also see our Osteopathic and Podiatry guides for additional information on those medical professions. Stay informed about upcoming programs, fairs, experiential opportunities and more by joining our monthly Pre-Health Listserv.
Explore the Profession
Discover whether medicine matches your interests, skills and abilities and meets your lifestyle expectations:
- Ask yourself – “Is Medicine Right for Me?” and explore the various Medical Specialties
- Read about Becoming a Doctor
- Discover Osteopathic Medicine (DO) – the overwhelming similarities to the MD and the unique features
- Consider Podiatric Medicine (DPM) as an option for careers in surgery, sports medicine, pediatrics and more
- Explore issues in medicine with the American Medical Association and the American Medical Student Association
- Read Next Generation – a pre-med information source from the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) – and sign up for AMA’s Virtual Mentor about issues in medical ethics
- Investigate a career in Medical Research and as a physician-scientist at MD-PhD.org
- Learn Learn about medical education – allopathic/MD (AAMC), osteopathic/DO (AACOM), and podiatric/DPM (AACPM)
- Visit our library to read: Get Into Medical School: A Guide for the Perplexed, Medical School Admission Requirements, The Best 162 Medical Schools and more
- Find salary info and more about medicine and other health professions at ExploreHealthCareers.org
Get Experience & Prepare
Confirm your interest in medicine, prepare academically and develop the necessary skills and experience:
- Identify Common Pre-Requisites and the UCSD classes you can take to meet them
- Investigate the varying school-specific pre-requisites on medical school websites
- Talk To, shadow or volunteer with a pharmacist. Find them through your network of family and friends, Professional Associations, or the HMP3 Mentor Program
- Join a pre-medical or pre-health Student Organization
- Find Clinical & Hospital Experience or Shadow a Podiatrist
- Discover Research Opportunities on and off campus
- Take classes within the Global Health or Health Care-Social Issues minors
- Develop communication and leadership skills through Express to Success
- Explore San Diego Health & Service Agencies and more ways to Get Experience
- Learn how to Maximize Your Experience
- Keep track of your experience (dates, hours, contact persons) for future applications
Apply to Schools
You apply to medical school in the summer, one year before you want to start the program. Identify programs that match your interests and complete an application. Some steps take more time to complete than others, so plan ahead!
- Schools & Programs – Use the links below to identify programs with the curriculum, clinical training options and student services that match your needs. Consider your likelihood of admission and cost.
- Find Allopathic (MD), Osteopathic(DO), and Podiatric (DPM) medical schools
- Compare your stats to Average GPA and MCAT Scores for UCSD students admitted to MD and DO programs
- Review MD program curriculum details and school-specific Medical Student Feedback
- Identify MD/PhD programs and Medical Scientist Training Programs (MSTP)
- Consider foreign medical training: California-Recognized schools, Australia, Ireland, and more (IMED)
- Tips for US Citizens Considering Foreign Medical Schools
- Issues for International Students Considering US Medical School (school-specific policies)
- Tips for US Citizens Considering Foreign Medical Schools
- Attend our Graduate & Health School Fairs to talk to school representatives
- Explore relevant Rankings
- Find Allopathic
- Workshops – Watch our Calendar for application how-to sessions
- PMAT – Prepare, Practice and take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)
- Applications – Carefully prepare and submit:
- Primary Applications - centralized services that compile your transcripts, MCAT scores, essay and activities
- Secondary Applications - school-specific supplemental information including letters and additional essays
- Apply directly on schools’ websites for foreign schools and programs not using an application service
- Letters of Recommendation – Get to Know Writers and Collect Letters
- Application Essay – Write your Personal Statement and get a Critique
- Interviews – Get prepared for Interviews
- Financial Aid & Fellowships – Learn how to Pay For School
For additional help with your professional & graduate school preparation and application come into the Career Services Center or contact your Professional & Graduate School Advisors.