To enter medical school, you must have a four-year undergraduate degree. Yourpediatrician.com states a degree in any field will do, so long as you've completed some basic science requirements. These include courses in genetics, microbiology, molecular biology, basic chemistry, organic chemistry, basic physics and two courses in calculus. A degree in one of the sciences will improve your chances of being accepted into medical school, according to Degreedirectory.org. In addition, Healthcare-trainingcenter.com states that having a high GPA is also important.
Yourpediatrician.com states that extracurricular and volunteer activities in your community are a big plus to medical schools considering candidates. The website adds that it's also important to have extracurricular activities or jobs that show your interest in the medical field. For example, you can volunteer at a clinic or work as a nursing aid. Letters of recommendation from your teachers, or medical professionals you know, will also improve your chances.
Medical schools expect candidates to take the Medical College Admissions Test in their junior or senior year; while good scores won't guarantee admission, yourpediatrician.com says they do count for a lot. The website describes the MCATs as a standardized test like the SAT, but more difficult, with a focus on the natural sciences.