How Long Is Med School? What to Expect

Thinking of going to medical school? Perhaps it's always been your dream to become a doctor, or perhaps you're just now considering it for the first time. Whatever the reason, you're wondering how long it's going to take.

Med School Timeline: How Long is Medical School?

Going to med school is about much more than just attending classes. You'll need to:

• Get an undergraduate degree
• Attend med school
• Complete clinical rotations and a residency program

Let's look at each of these steps in a bit more detail.

Undergrad: Four Years

Students hoping to attend medical school must first obtain at least a bachelor's degree. Theoretically, this degree can be in any field. Some common degrees aspiring medical students pursue include:

• Pre-med
• Biology
• Biochemistry
• Psychology
• Health science
• Nursing
• Public health

Most bachelor's programs take about four years to complete. Students can then choose to take a gap year or to move straight into medical school.

Medical School: Four Years

Now that you have your undergraduate degree, you're ready to start medical school. Most medical education programs take four years of full-time study to complete. Let's take a closer look at what you can expect during each year.

First Year

First-year med school students take various foundational courses that provide a broad introduction to medicine and the human body. Common coursework topics include:

• Musculoskeletal system
• Pulmonary, cardiovascular, and renal systems
• Neuroscience and neurology
• Digestion and metabolism
• Reproduction and endocrinology

Second Year

Classes taken during the second year of medical school build upon those taken during the first year. Other basic sciences and foundational topics are also covered and may include:

• Microbiology and immunology
• Medical ethics and professionalism
• Physician-patient relationship and cultural issues
• Pathology
• Clinical reasoning

Third Year

Third-year students spend much of their time participating in clinical rotations, or clerkships, putting their classroom knowledge into practice, and gaining hands-on experience under the supervision of a physician. These rotations may be completed on nights, weekends, and holidays as well as during normal workweeks. This is a key part of medical training, as students discover firsthand what it's like to have a medical career.

Students may also have opportunities to participate in sub-internships and take elective courses to learn more about subspecialties they might want to pursue.

Fourth Year

The fourth year of medical school is similar to the third year. Students continue working clinical rotations until they have met the minimum requirements for graduation. They may also take more electives and participate in sub-internships. Note that not all medical school programs have a fourth year; many accelerated programs can be completed within three years.

Residency: Three Years or More

After graduating from medical school, students must complete a residency program. These programs provide recent graduates the opportunity to practice medicine under the guidance of mentors while also helping them gain more autonomy. Residencies typically pay their residents an entry-level salary.

Residents can expect to participate in anywhere from three to nine years of residency depending on the subspecialty chosen. Common medical specialties include:

• Internal medicine
• Neurosurgery
• Pharmacology
• General surgery
• Family medicine

Additionally, students hoping to take a deep dive into a highly specialized area of medicine may choose to participate in a fellowship after completing their residency. However, this is not required for all medical professions. Finally, after completing all of these levels of education, you'll be ready to take the appropriate licensing exam, obtain your medical license, and begin practicing.

Clinical Experience Requirements for Med School

Most medical schools require various prerequisites. One of these prerequisites is clinical experience, which can be defined as any type of volunteer or paid experience in the medical field.

Examples of clinical experiences may include:

• Shadowing a physician
• Volunteering in a hospital
• Working as an emergency medical technician
• Working as a CNA, registered nurse, medical scribe, radiologist, or other position

Many students spend their gap year between college and med school getting clinical experience. Other pre-med students may choose to pursue it while getting their bachelor's degree. It's important to note that different medical schools have different clinical experience requirements and recommendations. Though most med schools require some clinical experience, most do not define how much.

A good rule of thumb is to accumulate at least 100 to 150 hours of clinical experience if you want to be competitive on most med school applications. It is sometimes recommended to pursue 1,000 hours or more. Again, though, requirements may vary. Check the admission requirements for the specific med schools you are planning to apply to. Also, note that while these extracurricular experiences are good to have

What Is the Application Process for Med School?

The medical school admissions process involves several steps.

First, you'll want to complete the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) no later than the spring before you hope to start medical school. Check into your prospective med schools to find out the average MCAT score among accepted applicants. The national median score is 512 (out of a maximum 528). Next, you'll want to decide which medical schools to apply to and make sure you meet all of their admission requirements. To do this, you'll need to provide information such as:

• College GPA
• MCAT scores
• College transcripts
• Clinical experience
• Letters of recommendation
• A personal statement or essay

Though you may have only one or two medical schools in mind, it's a good idea to fill out 15 to 20 medical school applications, including those for international schools, to give yourself the best chance of acceptance. Some of the schools you apply to may request a secondary application, which can consist of writing personal essays or answering interview questions. You may also have to attend in-person interviews as schools attempt to narrow down their list of applicants.

Finally, you'll want to ensure you complete any prerequisite courses you may not have taken as part of your degree. These may be completed in a postgraduate program. Different schools have different prerequisites, so make sure you know exactly which courses your target schools require.

Career Paths for Medical Students

The medical field is filled with a wide variety of specializations. As an aspiring doctor, you can pursue any career path that interests you.

Some common career paths for medical students include:

• Pediatrics
• Emergency medicine
• Osteopathic medicine
• Psychiatry
• Radiology
• Primary care

FAQs About Going to Med School

Do you still have questions about attending medical school? Keep reading for answers.

What Is the Shortest Time To Become a Doctor?

Becoming a doctor takes a long time, but it may take longer for some students. As noted, the average school of medicine program lasts for four years, but some programs are only three years. Additionally, some residencies take only three years, while others take up to nine years. So, including getting your bachelor's degree, the shortest period it may take to become a doctor is about 10 years.

Does Medical School Take 12 Years?

The medical school itself only takes three to four years to complete. However, the entire process may take 12 years or longer and consists of:

• Getting an undergrad degree
• Completing a medical degree
• Working a residency
• Participating in a fellowship

Is 30 Too Old for Medical School?

No. Most med school students are in their 20s, but you can decide to enter an MD program at any point in your life. When you are 30, you still have enough time to complete your training and begin practicing medicine by the age of 40 or so.

Is It Worth Going to Medical School at 40?

Only you can decide whether it's worth going to medical school at any point in your life. With that said, if you are 40 and finally in a position to pursue your dream of becoming a doctor, then it's not too late to get started.