Premedical guides and advice you can use at every step of your medical school application journey

I started Aspiring MD with a goal of helping other aspiring physicians reach medical school even without coming from a medical family or family of physicians.
All of the info I know about pre-med and medical school was self taught or given to me by mentors in my life, and I want you to be able to have this information without having to go through what I did!
It doesn’t really matter where you are in your journey. Whether you are just interested in healthcare, just decided to become a physician, are in the middle of premed, or are at the tail end, there is something here for everyone!




It can be extremely difficult to figure out the system AND the medical field when you have nobody close that can help you learn it. Here, I’ve laid out everything I learned along the way, the programs I took part in, how I got into those programs, and everything you need to plan and excel in your journey with or without family help.
I’ve spent hundreds of hours learning about applications, medical school admissions, how to get clinical/shadowing experiences, and have lived through what its like to be premed and to do it successfully. You can do it too and this resource is here to help you do it. Let’s start now!




Check out our articles by topic:


How To Start As A premed:
–What is an MD, how long is the program, and how do I get in?
–Undergraduate research and how to get the most out of it
–How do I email a professor about research?
Applying to Medical School Now?
–My MCAT and GPA guide to applying for medical school
–How to Write Secondary essays for medical school
– The premed course requirements for every medical school
– Free Premed & MCAT Spreadsheets: Track Your Hours, Scores, and Applications
–How Much Does the MCAT & Application Cycle Cost? (And How to Cut It Down)
How To Prepare For the MCAT:
–Medical School Application Timeline
–When to start studying for the MCAT
–How I studied for the MCAT and most common methods
If you are getting ready to study for the MCAT, start with my complete MCAT guide for premeds and then use my Best MCAT Anki Decks comparison to decide which flashcard deck fits your timeline and study style.
I also keep a complete collection of free MCAT and premed resources, including free study schedules, Anki decks, spreadsheets, full-length review tools, formula sheets, review documents, and application trackers.
Already Applied to Medical School?
How to write a letter of intent to medical schools and when to send it
How Do Medical School Waitlists Work?How do medical school waitlists work?


The Complete AMCAS Medical School Application Guide
Activities Section Guides
–Medical Scribe AMCAS experience description
–STAR Method for Medical School Interviews: Free Interview Answer Builder Tool
–What to do before your medical school interview
–What to study before my medical school interview?
–Common Medical School Interview Questions and How to Answer Them
What do medical schools look for after you interview?
Do Medical Schools Interview Better Applicants First
Medical School Acceptance Rates Post Interview
Free MMI Practice Tool: Scenario Bank + 2 Minute Read Timer and 6 or 8 Minute Answer Timer
All About Medical Schools


Looking For A List Of Medical Schools?
List of accreddited M.D. schools
List of accreddited D.O. schools
Medical School Database
–Medical Schools with low GPA and MCAT requirements
–Medical Schools That Explicitly Accept (or Limit) Community College and AP Credits
–Early Assurance BS MD and Pipeline Programs 2025 Guide and Free Database for Premeds
Learn What Medical Schools Are Looking For And Their Class Stats:
–Medical Schools that accept low GPA/MCAT
–Can medical schools rescind their acceptances? Reasons for rescinding
Casper/Duet/Preview Info and Requiring Schools:
–Free MMI Practice Tool: Scenario Bank + 2 Minute Read Timer and 6 or 8 Minute Answer Timer
–Medical School Situational Judgment Tests: CASPer vs AAMC PREview vs Duet (With SJT School Database)
–AAMC PREview Exam Guide for Premeds: What It Is and How To Score High
AMCAS Application


AMCAS Personal Statement
How to write a personal statement for medical school
How Many Medical Schools Should I Apply To? School List Calculator
AMCAS Activity Section
–Presentations/Posters AMCAS Experience Description Guide (With 700 Character Examples)
–Radiology Tech Aide AMCAS Experience Description Guide (With 700-Character Examples)
– How to Write a Phlebotomist AMCAS or TMDSAS Experience Description (With 700-Character Examples)
–Medical assistant AMCAS and TMDSAS description (with examples)
Medical Scribe AMCAS and TMDSAS description (with examples)
Premed Clinical Jobs Comparison Table (Scribe vs MA vs CNA vs EMT, and More)
–Medical Interpreter AMCAS Experience Description Guide (With 700 Character Examples)
–Clinical Research Assistant AMCAS Experience Description Guide (With 700 Character Examples)
–Publications AMCAS Experience Description Guide (With 700 Character Examples)
–Research/Lab AMCAS Experience Description Guide (With 700 Character Examples)
Paid Employment – Medical/Clinical AMCAS Experience Description Guide (With 700 Character Examples)
Other AMCAS Experience Description Guide (With 700 Character Examples)
Leadership – Not Listed Elsewhere AMCAS Experience Description Guide (With 700 Character Examples)
Intercollegiate Athletics AMCAS Experience Description Guide (With 700 Character Examples)
Assisted Living Caregiver AMCAS Experience Description Guide (With 700 Character Examples)
Research
Looking For Research?
Want To Get Into An REU/Summer Research Program?
–How to get into an REU summer research program (research experience for undergraduates)
–Writing an essay that will get you into an REU/summer research program
Want To Win Grants, Write Publications, And Go To Conferences?
–Applying to research grants as an undergraduate
Scholarships
Finding And Winning Scholarships:
My tips on how to win scholarships in college
Medical School Debt and Loan Repayment Simulator: See Your Payments Before You Borrow
–How Much Does It Really Cost to Become a Doctor? (Premed-to-Attending Cost Roadmap)
See our Scholarship Database:
–Premed Scholarships and Paid Research & Internship Programs Database
Link
Link
Learn About The Most Prestigious Premed Scholarships And Programs:
–What is the Goldwater Scholarship and how do I win it?
–Top summer programs and REU’s for premed students
Link
Clinical Experience
Getting Your First Clinical Experience And Excelling On Day 1:
–How to get your first clinical experience
–Succeeding as a medical assistant or any other healthcare worker right off the bat
Using Your Clinical Experiences To Get Into The Next One:
–Premed Clinical Jobs Comparison Table (Scribe vs MA vs CNA vs EMT, and More)
–Leveraging your first clinical experience and physician relationship to get into other ones
Want To Learn How To Get Your First Shadowing Experience?
–How to get your first shadowing experience
Gap Years


Figuring Out If You Are Competitive Enough To Apply:
–Navigating the Path: Can You Get Into Medical School with a Low GPA?
– The minimum course requirements for premeds by school
– The premed process: Hour minimums and the big activity types
–WedgeDawg Applicant Rating System (WARS) Calculator – WARS-Style Med School Chances Tool
–Premed Extracurricular Hours Tracker: Are Your Activities Competitive Yet?
–Free Premed & MCAT Spreadsheets: Track Your Hours, Scores, and Applications
–How Much Does the MCAT & Application Cycle Cost? (And How to Cut It Down)


Thinking About Taking a Gap Year?
–Do I need to take a gap year?
– Didn’t get into med school this cycle?
How to Explain a Bad Semester on Medical School Applications (Without Making Excuses)
Does withdrawing from a class look bad for medical school?
Can I get into medical school with a C in organic chemistry?
–The GPA Reality Check: What to Do When Your Premed Dreams Don’t Match Your Grades


Extracurricular Guides
Want To Know What Extracurriculars To Join?
–Honor Societies to Join and why do you need to join honor societies
Link
Link
Want To Learn About Community Service And How To Get Involved?
How to get into a volunteer medical clinic
Link
Resume and Career Building


Not Sure If You Should Go MD, DO, MD-PHD, Or PHD?
–What is an MD and how long is the MD program?
Learn How To Build A Custom Resume For Research, For Clinical, Or For Scholarships And Use it To Your Advantage:


Strategies To Get Into Any Job, Scholarship, Or Program You Want:
–
Study / Class Scheduling Tips
This is a section description


Want To Make Better Grades and Have More Time?
–How to successfully study in any class and especially pre-med prerequisites
For High school students or summer before medical school:
- What to Do the Summer Before Medical School: Finances, Studying, or Rest?
- Should You Go to an Expensive College for Premed? Prestige, Debt, GPA, and Medical School Admissions
- Strategic AP Course Selection for Future Premeds: What Actually Matters (And What’s Just Busywork)
- Starting Your Premed Journey in High School: Why Early Clinical Exposure Changes Everything
Premedical Study and Grade Guides:
- Why You Should Use Anki to Study in College
- Choosing your professors: How to get the best professors for college
- How to successfully study in any class and especially pre-med prerequisites
Premed guides by major:
MCAT GUIDES:
Free MCAT Resources
–MCAT Full Length Tracker Spreadsheet (Score Log + Wrong Answer Review Template)
–Free Premed & MCAT Spreadsheets: Track Your Hours, Scores, and Applications
–MCAT “Explanations for Every Full Length Exam Answer” Spreadsheet (AAMC + Third-Party Review Tool)
–MCAT Content Review Tracker Spreadsheet (Free Google Sheet)
–Free MCAT Full-Length Review & Error Log Spreadsheet (Google Sheets)
–MCAT Full-Length Review Template (Google Sheets): Track Scores, Missed Questions, and Growth
MCAT Kaplan Quicksheets document download link
FREE MCAT PRACTICE EXAM LINK MASTER DOCUMENT
Free Khan Academy MCAT Course: Complete Video & Practice Question Collection
AAMC MCAT TOPIC LIST PDF DOWNLOAD LINK
– Best MCAT Anki Decks Compared: MileDown, AnKing, JackSparrow, Aidan, Mr. Pankow, and More
– Aidan V2 MCAT Anki Deck: Free Download and Complete Guide
– Captain Hook MCAT Anki Deck: Free Download, Review, and Complete Guide
– Coffin V2 MCAT Anki Deck: Free Download and Complete Guide
– PsychAnswer4U MCAT Anki Deck: Free Download and Complete Guide
– Free 1-Month MCAT Study Schedule: How to Study for the MCAT in 4 Weeks
MCAT Study Guide
–How to study for the MCAT and what I did
When to start studying for the MCAT
What pre-requisites do I need for the MCAT?
How to Review MCAT Full-Lengths: Step-by-Step Guide
–Should I Use Blueprint for MCAT Studying?
MCAT frequently asked questions:
–Can You Submit AMCAS Without an MCAT Score? What Premeds Should Know
–How Much Does the MCAT & Application Cycle Cost? (And How to Cut It Down)
–MCAT Study Hours Calculator: Are You Studying Enough for Your Test Date?
Miledown MCAT Anki Deck Download, and what is it?
Jacksparrow Updated MCAT Anki Deck Download and what is it?


Premedical Finances
Managing your finances as a premed
Should Premeds Work Full Time in College or Focus on Grades? (A Realistic Guide)
Premed Clinical Jobs Comparison Table (Scribe vs MA vs CNA vs EMT, and More)
Link
Learn About Leadership Opportunities On and Off Campus:
Link
Link
Link
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All of my pages:
- About me
- All about medical schools
- All about the MCAT
- Amcas Activities Section and Costs
- AMCAS Application Guide
- Amcas Home
- Amcas Timing & Preparation
- Clinical Experience Guide for Premeds
- Communicating with medical schools
- Community Service
- Finding and maintaining mentorships and lab positions
- Free Premed and MCAT Resources: Spreadsheets, Anki Decks, Study Schedules, Trackers, and Application Tools
- Grant writing, conferences, and publications
- How to Build on Your First Clinical Experience as a Premed
- MCAT Guide for Premeds
- Medical School Acceptance Rates Post Interview
- Medical School Database
- Medical School Essays Guide: Personal Statement & Secondaries
- Medical School Guide for Premeds
- Medical School Secondary Essay Prompts 2024-2025
- Planning for MCAT
- Premed Clinical Experience: How to Get Your First Clinical Job
- Premed Extracurriculars for Medical School
- Premed Research Guide
- Premed Scholarships & Resume Guide
- Preview, Casper, and Duet Guides
- Privacy Policy
- Resume Building
- Scholarship Breakdowns
- Scholarship Workshop
- Shadowing
- Student Organizations
- Studying & Mastering MCAT
- Suggest a Topic
- Undergraduate Research for Premeds: Complete Research Guide

























