Going directly from college to medical school: What it takes (2024)

FAQs

Can you go straight to med school after college? ›

Historically, the most traditional path involves completing a four-year college degree and applying to medical school during the summer between your junior and senior year of college. If successful, you would enroll in medical school a few months after graduation. This path is also known as “going straight through.”

Direct medical programs (also known as combined BA/MD or BS/MD programs) allow students to be accepted into an allopathic medical school from high school. In other words, program students are accepted into both an undergraduate university as well as an allopathic medical school out of high school.

Is it possible to go to medical school straight from high school? Technically no. However, some schools have partnered with undergraduate institutions to create so-called direct medical programs, which allow you to go straight to medical school after completing a bachelor's in science.

While there is nothing to stop you from starting medical school at 30, 40, or 50 years of age, there are some important factors to consider: Length of educational process – Medical school is typically four years, but residency is another three to eight years.

Most medical schools share a lot of the same admission requirements. For example, nearly all medical schools require you to have a bachelor's degree, clinical experience, test scores, and a handful of recommendation letters. But admissions standards can sometimes vary depending on the individual school.

1 | Grades

While many programs state that their GPA cutoff is 3.5, when in reality, the majority of accepted applicants have GPAs closer to 4.0 (unweighted). Students are also expected to be taking (and excelling in) the most challenging classes available to them while maintaining a near-perfect GPA.

What is the easiest way to become a doctor? The easiest way to become a doctor is to follow the traditional path of four years of undergrad, four years of medical school, residency, fellowships, and ultimately taking the medical licensing exam.

1. How long does it take to get your MD? You need to devote around 10 to 12 years to become a doctor. The time includes an undergraduate degree (four years), medical school (four years), and a residency program (three to seven years).

Can you go to med school without premed? ›

Can people without a pre-med major still get into medical school? Yes! Medical schools take a holistic look at candidates. As long as all prerequisite coursework has been completed, medical schools will consider applicants of any academic background.

The fastest way to become a doctor is to choose a school that offers an accelerated or combined undergraduate and medical school program. You might be able to graduate with your medical degree in as little as six years through this route.

Shortest Time To Become A Doctor In the US

However, certain accelerated MD programs or combined bachelor's and MD programs can shorten this timeline to six to seven years. A short residency program can allow you to start practicing in as little as 3 years post-graduation.

The third year of medical school is by far the hardest, current and former med students will almost always agree.

While nontraditional students are a minority in both MD and DO programs, DO programs are more likely than their MD counterparts to accept older students. In osteopathic programs, admitted applicants can range into their 50s and even 60s.

Medical school takes 4 years to complete, but to become a doctor you'll also spend 3–7 years in residency.

Medical school typically lasts four years, but three-year accelerated programs have been emerging. Once someone receives either an M.D. or D.O. degree, they go on to the next phase of their medical training, typically a residency in their desired specialty, such as surgery or radiology.

Can people without a pre-med major still get into medical school? Yes! Medical schools take a holistic look at candidates. As long as all prerequisite coursework has been completed, medical schools will consider applicants of any academic background.