These are the general courses you should take. There may be some programs that have additional or fewer requirements. Always check with the programs to confirm.

In addition to the courses below, psychology and sociology classes are recommended for the MCAT.

Most students take the exam between March and September of their junior year. Make sure you finish basic science classes like biology, chemistry, physics, and biochemistry before you test.

Consider these steps for MCAT preparation:

• Fall/Winter: Formulate a study plan (300-500 hours total study time).
• Jan–April: Dedicated prep and full-length practice exams.
• Target a MCAT score that aligns with your target school list (510+ for MD, 504+ for DO as general benchmark averages).

Registration for all January–September 2027 MCAT exam dates opens on October 20–22, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. ET through the AAMC MCAT Registration System.

• Clinical work. Shadowing, EMT, medical scribe, medical assistant, volunteering in free clinics, volunteering in hospitals, hospice volunteers. Learn about the field.
• Community service. Give of yourself to your community. Shelters, food banks, community resource centers, after school programs. Preferably not clinically related, although in some cases there may be some cross-over.
• Research. The Science Summer Research Program is one way to get research experience, but you can also apply for external research internships like REUs, or participate in independent research with a Saint Mary's Faculty.
• Extracurriculars. Involvement in things you’re interested in, including clubs like the Saint Lukes Pre Health Society

In your First Year:

Academic Focus: 

• General Chemistry, Introductory Biology, and Math/Statistics.
  • Goal: Establish strong study habits to build a high cumulative and science GPA (~3.6).
• Consult with a Pre-Med Academic Advisor to build a graduation plan. 

Clinical & Volunteer Work: 

• Start shadowing physicians across a couple of specialties (20-50 hours total) to confirm medicine is the right path.
• Consult with Career Advisor to seek opportunities. 

Extracurriculars: 

• Join 1–2 student organizations aligned with your genuine interests, not just pre-med resume builders.

In your Second Year:

Academic Focus:

• Organic Chemistry, Physics, and Psychology/Sociology.

Clinical Exposure: 

• Secure a consistent, hands-on clinical role (3-5 hours/week). Common positions include:
  • Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) / Medical Assistant (MA)
  • Emergency Department Scribe
  • Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
  • Hospice or hospital volunteer
• Work with Career Advisor to build professional competency skills. Consider enrolling in SMC-250 Career Launch.

Research & Service: 

• Reach out to professors or lab directors to join a research project. 
• Begin non-clinical community service working with underserved populations.

In your Third Year:

Prepare for the MCAT:

• Set a target MCAT test date (for example, April or May of junior year). 
• If you are planning for a committee letter, your timeline will need to be accelerated in order to provide the committee with your MCAT score. Consider these target dates:
  • Take the MCAT in January or February. Your MCAT score should be available a month later.
  • Schedule a committee interview for March or early April.
  • This timeline should make it possible for committee letters to be ready for submission when the portal opens for submissions at the end of May.

Ask for letters of recommendation:

• Seek 4-5 potential recommenders. These should include:
  • 2 Science Professors
  • 1 Non-Science Professor
  • 1 Clinical Supervisor / Physician
  • 1 Research PI (if applicable)
• Applicants choose between the following two options:
  • Individual letters. Each letter writer receives a separate link and uploads their letter individually. You should provide two months of advance notice for individual letter writers. If you plan to submit your applications as soon as the portals (AAMC and AACOMAS) open in May, you should request letters no later than March.
  • Committee letter. You assemble a committee of 2 science professors and 1 non-science professor. The committee interviews you, asking questions similar to those asked at med school interviews, and one composite letter is submitted reflecting the recommendation of the committee as a whole. Your committee interview should take place no later than April; therefore, you should invite three professors to be members of your committee no later than February. You should also contact the committee letter-writer (Prof. Rebecca Jabbour: rsj2@stmarys-ca.edu) no later than February to schedule the committee interview. Note: your MCAT score must be available before your committee interview takes place.

Write your personal statement:

• Commit time and attention to your Personal Statement. You may seek feedback on your Personal Statement from your Faculty Advisor and other mentors.  Allow plenty of time to develop, proofread, and polish an excellent Personal Statement that accomplishes the following:
  • Motivation for pursuing a career in medicine - DO NOT say you want to help people. 
  • Preparation to succeed in medical school.

Describe your work and activities:

• Prepare your Work & Activities descriptions. Rather than simply listing your activities, describe each position to show how you exhibit the characteristics that are listed on the AMCAS page, etc.

Submit primary applications (May-June):

• Create a list of schools that you are applying to. 
• Plan to submit Primary Applications in May – June. To find primary applications that are open, search: 
  • AMCAS for MD
  • AACOMAS for DO
  • TMDSAS for Texas schools

Academic Focus: 

• Human Anatomy, Human Physiology and upper-level science electives (Biochemistry, Genetics). Aim to keep science GPA above a 3.6.
• Clinical Hours: Target 150-300+ hours of direct, hands-on patient contact where you can observe patient-physician interactions up close.
• Service/Volunteering: Focus on altruism and serving communities outside of a clinical environment (100-200+ hours).
• Research: While not strictly mandatory for all schools, 100+ hours in basic science, clinical, or public health research shows scientific inquiry.

In your Fourth Year

July – August:

• Complete Secondary Applications (aim for a 1-2 week turnaround per school).

September – March:

• Interview season! Practice with mock interviews (traditional and MMI formats).
  • Work with Career Advisor to hone interview skills.

Spring:

• Send updates/letters of intent where appropriate and make final matriculation decisions.