High School Advanced Preparation

Preparation for medical or dental school can begin as early as high school. Follow these four guidelines and review the specific precollege classes recommended for medical majors.

Basic Preparation Guidelines

1. Study as many different sciences as you can (e.g., a year each of biology, chemistry, physics, and geology).
2. Take as many mathematics classes as you can.
3. Study a foreign language as many years as you can.
4. Develop as many computer skills as you can.

Recommended Precollege Classes¹

Essential:

• 1 year biology
• 1 year chemistry
• At least 3 years of math, including basic and advanced algebra, geometry, and trigonometry
• English (ability to write and read at the appropriate level, including understanding math word problems)

Strongly recommended:

• Physics
• Calculus
• Advanced biology or anatomy and physiology

Also recommended:

• Speech
• Computer sciences
• Social studies and history

Additional learning:

• Medical terminology
• Critical thinking
• Logic (rational, deductive, and inductive reasoning)
• Professional behaviors (punctuality, attendance, attire, personal interactions with patients or health care team, etc.)