How Do I Go Back to School to Become a Doctor?

If you already have graduated from college and are thinking of going to medical school after working a few years in a related or even unrelated field, you are not alone. Many people decide to pursue a medical profession well into their adulthood. Prospective students who do not follow the traditional route to medical school are known as "non-traditional students," and preparation for entry into medical school can take up to two years.

Things You'll Need

  • Medical school application form
  • MCAT score
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Official undergraduate transcript
  • Personal statement
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Instructions

  1. Instructions

    • 1

      Analyze your undergraduate coursework. Minimum course requirements typically involve two semesters of college-level biology, physics, calculus, and chemistry, with at least one course in organic chemistry. Each science course must be accompanied by a laboratory practicum. More competitive medical schools will require you to retake these courses if it's been five years or more since you studied these subjects.

    • 2

      If necessary, take the required coursework. Many non-traditional students will need to enroll in a post-baccalaureate program. Typically, these are two-year programs designed specifically for non-traditional students in order to help them complete their requirements or enhance their competitiveness.

    • 3

      Take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). This is a standardized, multiple-choice examination divided into four sections: verbal reasoning, physical sciences, biological sciences, and an essay section. Prospective students should prepare to study for at least two months before the examination, which is given twice a year in April and in August.

    • 4

      Apply to medical school. Check with your target school's application requirements and submit the information requested. Documents required typically include the school's application form, a personal statement, official transcripts from your undergraduate institution and post-baccalaureate program (if applicable), MCAT official score, and letters of recommendation.

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