Each medical school has different requirements for prerequisite courses. Research schools early for specific information about requirements.

The following courses are generally required for most medical schools:

You can utilize this worksheet to track your progress.

*In order to be well prepared for the MCAT, we strongly recommend prospective applicants complete courses in cell biology, microbiology, statistics, psychology, and sociology.

Medical schools in the United States admit students once a year in the Fall.

Applications are submitted 12-15 months before your desired medical school enrollment date. This means the application process can begin as early as the spring after your junior year. However, the timing depends on when you will complete your degree and the necessary coursework (and successfully take the MCAT).

All medical schools will utilize a standard application process or services. There are three types of applications depending on which medical school you are applying to. Students applying to MD schools will apply through AMCAS; students applying to DO schools will apply through AACOMAS; students applying to a medical school in Texas will apply through TMDSAS.

Medical school requirements vary from school to school. Research schools early for specific information about requirements.

The Medical School Application process includes 5 main components:

1. The Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT)
2. Primary Application
3. Letters of Recommendation
4. Secondary Applications
5. Interviews

May

• Primary Application Services open in May. Begin to fill out primary applications as soon as possible. 
• Order official transcripts from ALL colleges and universities that you have attended.
• For MD schools: AMCAS.
• For DO schools: AACOMAS.
• For both types of schools in Texas: TMDSAS.

June – July

• Make final decisions on which medical schools to apply to and submit primary applications.
• Medical school begin sending secondary applications to applicants (if invited to complete a secondary application, begin and submit sooner rather than later).

August

• Continue working on and submitting secondary applications.
• Begin to check medical school application status websites for schools where applied.

September – March

• Prepare for and attend interviews.
• Continue to complete and submit secondary applications (check deadline dates).
• Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid, FAFSA, in October.
• Medical school admissions committees meet and decide status: accept/reject/waitlist.

April

• By April 30th, admitted applicants must notify the application service and their school of choice of their decision and withdraw their application from schools not selected.

Letters of Recommendation/Support:

Requirements for letters vary between schools, most schools require at least three letters of recommendation. Begin early to establish a network of professors, supervisors (for volunteer or paid work), and healthcare providers who are familiar with your work. It is important to choose recommenders who know you well.

Many schools require letters from faculty members who have taught you in a class and are able to make specific observations about your personal and academic achievements and your potential for medical school. Schools can ask for letters of recommendations specifically from science professors. Get to know your professors early, start your first year.

Personal Statements:

The personal statement is about you and your motivation for pursuing a career in healthcare. Describe your current passion for the field with specific stories from recent experiences. Try to choose a theme rather than random thoughts. The primary application activities section provides a list of accomplishments. Your personal essay is an opportunity to provide additional, more in-depth information and is not a place to repeat your previously mentioned accomplishments. It can be helpful to remember why you are interested in the field of healthcare. 

The Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) is administrated from January through September each year. Registration for the MCAT opens in October prior to the year of testing. You should register early to ensure you get your preferred test date.  It is to your advantage to take it before submitting your medical school applications. Ideally, you should take the MCAT after completing the pre-requisite courses. For MCAT information and registration, visit the official website.

Most medical schools hold “interview days” where they bring in a group of applicants for a day that may consist of some or all of the following: Interviews, written essays, school tours, and opportunities to meet students and faculty.

Interviews can take many forms, so it is important to research your schools and be prepared for each kind. The Stuckert Career Center can help you with preparation tips and practicing your interviewing skills.

The most common types of interviews are:

• One-on-one: Usually one or two interviews ranging 30-45 minutes.
• Multiple Mini Interview (MMI): 7-10 rooms with a different prompt or scenario posted on the door. You are typically given 2 minutes to prepare before entering the room. Once you enter, you are given 5-8 minutes to respond to the prompt or play out the scenario with a trained actor and ask follow-up questions.
• Group: May be either one applicant interviewed by several interviewers or a group of applicants interviewed by one or more interviewer.

The Experiences, or Work & Activities, section is a core component of applications where you list paid work, volunteer roles, research, and extracurriculars. It provides admissions committees with a structured look at how you spend your time outside the classroom. To find UK student organizations related to medical school, search BBNVolved. 

Medical Shadowing/Observation 

Applicants should consider observing in a variety of medical settings. Besides shadowing doctors, applicants may elect to gain healthcare experiences through the following: CNA, EMT, CMA, Medical Tech, scribe etc.  At the time of application, applicants will need to document their hours spent in shadowing/observing in the medical field. 

Volunteering 

As a caring attitude is central to the practice of Medicine, applicants should demonstrate a commitment to service, more specifically direct service, and a desire to help others. Applicants may wish to highlight volunteer and service activities, including tutoring, assisting seniors, volunteer EMT, coaching youth sports, mentoring, etc.  

Research

Research experience is highly valued but not strictly mandatory for medical school. It hones vital skills like critical thinking, data analysis, and scientific literacy. Expectations depend heavily on the type of program you are pursuing. 

Speak directly with university professors or Principal Investigators (PIs) whose work interests you. Look into formal summer programs and check out our Office of Undergraduate Research to schedule an appointment with a research ambassador to learn how to get started. 

Medical Schools in Kentucky:

• University of Kentucky (MD)
• University of Louisville (MD)  
• University of Pikeville (DO)  

Find additional Medical School options here:

 MD Schools

 DO Schools

• American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM)
• Aspiring Docs
• Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC)
• Mappd
• Med School Insiders
• Prospective Doctor
• Texas Medical & Dental Schools Application Service (TMDSAS)