Medical schools may not be looking at your high school transcript, but building strong skills in science, math, and communication now will make college-level coursework much easier later. And since your college GPA matters a great deal when you apply to medical school, you want to make sure you are as prepared as possible from the start.
Here are some smart choices when planning your high school schedule.
Focus on a Strong Science Foundation
Science classes make up the core requirements of the pre-med pathway, so taking challenging core science courses in high school can help you feel more confident once you get to college.
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- AP Biology and AP Chemistry (if available) will make you a stronger applicant to science programs and prepare you for rigorous college-level work.
Don’t Ignore Math
Many pre-med college courses require or recommend statistics, calculus, or both. These classes help build analytical and problem-solving skills that are essential in science and medicine:
- Algebra II
- Precalculus
- Calculus (if available/appropriate)*
- Statistics (or AP Stats)
Take Writing and Communication Seriously
Clear communication is a huge advantage in both college and medical school, since doctors spend a surprising amount of time communicating—writing patient notes, explaining diagnoses, and working with teams. Strong preparation can come from classes like:
- Honors or AP English
- Speech or public speaking
- Debate
- Research or writing-focused electives
Consider Adding Health or Psychology Electives
If your school offers them, courses that explore health or human behavior can provide helpful context for medicine and help you determine whether you’re interested in healthcare.
- Psychology
- Health science or medical terminology
- Anatomy & physiology
- Public health or nutrition
Language Skills Are a Major Advantage in Healthcare
Doctors regularly work with patients from many cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Being able to communicate directly with patients in their own language can help build trust, improve understanding, and lead to better health outcomes.
Consider taking multiple years of the same language and working toward real fluency. Languages commonly used in healthcare settings in the U.S.—such as Spanish (the most commonly spoken), Mandarin, Vietnamese, or Arabic—can be especially useful, though any language proficiency is a strong asset.
Beyond improving patient communication, bilingual or multilingual healthcare professionals are often highly valued by hospitals and clinics, making language skills an advantage when applying for internships, jobs, or volunteer opportunities in healthcare.
*Note: Only a handful of medical schools currently require calculus as a prerequisite, but taking college calculus can be seen as a marker of rigor (just like in high school admissions), so having exposure to it in high school can be smart preparation (if appropriate).