Generally, aspiring medical students need bachelor's degrees in any major before being accepted into medical schools. However, according to the BLS, the minimum educational requirement for medical schools is at least three years of postsecondary college. Thus, in some instances aspiring medical students can be granted admission without undergraduate degrees. However, since medical schools are highly competitive, aspiring medical students may need to obtain a competitive edge over other applicants by completing undergraduate degrees.
Besides an undergraduate degree, there are other admission requirements for aspiring medical students. For instance, applicants have to provide official college transcripts and up to three letters of recommendation. Prospective students should also take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). The standardized test measures aspiring medical students' knowledge of sciences such as chemistry and biology. Some medical schools require applicants to interview with some members of the admissions committee, according to the BLS.
Although medical school is a four-year program, medical students spend the first two years of the program in classrooms and laboratories. For example, students learn how to take patients' medical histories and diagnose medical conditions. Courses in medical school include medical ethics, pharmacology and microbiology. During the remaining two years of the program, medical students spend their time actually applying their knowledge by working with patients. The students are supervised by practicing doctors and work at clinics and hospitals.
According to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), the average tuition and fees for public medical schools in 2008 and 2009 was $23,581 for in-state residents and $41,225 for out-of-state residents. Private medical schools have higher costs. According to the AAMC, the average annual tuition and fees for private medical schools in 2008 and 2009 was $41,225 for residents and $42,519 for non-residents. Typically, the average cost of medical school doesn't include housing and living expenses. However, many medical students pay for school with grants, loans and scholarships in addition to savings.