Ideally, you would take, over the course of 8th-12th grade
-biology, chemistry, physics, perhaps honors, + ap biology and ap chemistry. If you can only take one make it AP chem.
-Then you’d have math through calculus (honors or AP) and perhaps a statistics class (regular is fine, it’s just to have a taste before you take biostats). Precalculus honors is the minimum you need.
- AP English Language: you’ll need to take 2 English courses in college, AP English will prepare you well (if you skip Freshman composition in college thanks to that AP, take intercultural or interpersonal communication for one of the 2).
- AP Foreign Language: taking AP Spanish will probably allow you to place straight into Spanish for Health professions. Fluency will be a major asset (some health centers only allow you to work there if you speak another language, because between tourists in distress and migrant workers with chronic illnesses, just speaking English can be a flaw wrt your usefulness).
- (AP) US history and (AP) world history are probably good choices but taking those classes in college and complementary classes (in American studies, women’s studies, US history, cultural anthropology, sociology, anything that can allow you to understand human diversity better) would be just as fine. Note that med schools and the MCAT expect a class in psychology, a class in sociology, and a diversity focused class of your choice.
As a result, make HS course selections that either facilitate or prepare you for work in these areas.