Do medical schools care about what you do in high school?

Pre-Med & Medical School High School Student Topics
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Hi! I will be starting my high school freshman year this fall. I am really determined to go on a pre-med track and apply for medical school someday. Yet I will be graduating high school and college in the US as an international student. My family do know a few international students (not from Canada) who got into medical school, which proves it’s still possible. But the chances of me getting into medical school is extremely low. Attending medical school would be my goal, but I would also be happy with my Plan B.
So…
1)would it be necessary for me to start planning for medical school since freshman year?
2)do medical schools really care about what you did in high school, or is it all about what you did in college?

I’ve heard different responses to these two questions, and I thought it would be better off for me to get these questions figured out before it’s too late. lol.

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  1. Plan for what is needed to get into college
  2. No
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College grades, MCAT, and medical interest. High school doesn’t matter.

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If you take college courses while in high school, those courses and grades (along with other college courses) must be reported on the medical school application.

If you take AP tests and score high enough for your college to give credit for them, be aware of the implications of such regarding medical school applications: FAQ Pre-med courses, AP/IB/etc. credit and college/DE courses, etc.

The main barrier you face in getting into medical school in the US is being an international student.

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1)would it be necessary for me to start planning for medical school since freshman year?

no

2)do medical schools really care about what you did in high school, or is it all about what you did in college?

if you start something in high school AND continue it in college, that will be noted as long term commitment.

if you are asking if things like shadowing, coursework, etc done in high school will matter for your medical school applications…the answer is no. Your college record will be what matters, and ECs done during college.

Note…some students actually take a year or two after undergrad to hone their med school things…like required courses for applicants, shadowing, volunteering, etc.

I will say…you are entering 9th grade. How do you know what it takes to be a doctor (the schooling, all the tests, the stress, etc). You are 14 or so…please have an open mind about future careers.

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There are certain things that you can start in high school - like getting your EMT, CNA, or Med Asst, and working on the ambulance or as a CNA/MA in a doctor’s office or nursing home or in some medical type of work.

Is medical school in your home country an option?

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RE: EMT, CNA, MA certification.

Many state have a minimum age requirement of 18 for these certificates.

And some/many states do not permit a foreign national to obtain licensure in these areas since they will be working with vulnerable populations.

Also depending on the OP’s visa status, they may be prohibited from working in the US.

~~

But to answer your questions:

  1. You’ll need to take 4 years of math, science and English coursework in HS to prepare you for college admission

  2. Medical schools really aren’t interested in what you did in high school

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Thank you so much for your reply! I will. =)

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Sadly if I attend high school in the US I wouldn’t be eligible to attend medical schools in my home country. :smiling_face_with_tear:

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You’re stuck. Any chance of going to high school in your home country, while living with relatives? It is extremely difficult to get into med school here without a green card or US citizenship, plus you wouldn’t be eligible for loans, prob not for fin aid.