How to Get In—and Stay In—Medical School: The Ultimate Guide

Is Medical School as Tough as Everyone Says?

Yes—and then some.

Getting into medical school is one of the most competitive and rigorous academic challenges out there. And once you’ve secured a coveted seat? Staying in medical school is its own beast. Between intensive exams, clinical rotations, and sheer mental stamina, the road to becoming a doctor is anything but easy.

In this comprehensive guide, we break down how to get into medical school, what it takes to stay in, and how you can thrive through it all—with tips, study strategies, and even insight into how global health internships, like those offered by Go Elective, can enhance your preparation.

The Reality of Getting Into Medical School 

It’s not just hard—it’s time-consuming, high-stakes, and exhausting. You’ll be jumping through multiple academic and administrative hoops before you even set foot in your first anatomy lecture.

The Must-Take Exams on the Road to Medical School

SAT and ACT: Your College Gateway

These standardized exams are the first step in your pre-med path. Whether you take the SAT or ACT, both assess foundational skills like math, critical reading, and writing—laying the groundwork for your future in medicine.

MCAT: The Gatekeeper to Med School

The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is the defining exam for med school applicants. Covering everything from biochemistry to critical thinking, it requires months of preparation. High scores are often essential—most top schools have MCAT cutoffs. Many students choose to combine MCAT prep with pre-med shadowing experiences, including international medical internships to strengthen their applications.

USMLE (MD Students)

The United States Medical Licensing Examination includes:

• Step 1: After year two of med school, covering basic sciences.
• Step 2 CK: Taken after clinical rotations, assessing patient-centered skills.

COMLEX (DO Students)

Osteopathic students take the COMLEX series:

• Level 1: After two years of study.
• Level 2 CE + PE: During clinical rotations.
• Level 3: During or after residency, qualifying you to practice as a DO.

The Application Process: It Doesn’t End with Tests

Primary Applications

You’ll submit through either:

• AMCAS (for MD programs)
• AACOMAS (for DO programs)

These centralized services distribute your core application to selected schools.

Secondary Applications

Most schools require tailored essays and responses via secondary applications. Some send them automatically, others only after reviewing your primary submission.

Financial Aid Forms

Medical education isn’t cheap. Expect to apply for:

• Federal aid via FAFSA
• Scholarships and grants
• Private or federal loans

And yes—you’ll have to reapply annually.

Continuous Applications

Even after you're in medical school, the paperwork doesn’t stop:

• Clinical placements
• Global health electives (like Go Elective’s programs in Kenya and Tanzania)
• Residency applications
• Fellowships

Staying In Medical School: Strategies for Success

Learn to Study While Exhausted

Sleep will be scarce. Between clinical rotations and exams, you’ll often be reviewing flashcards with one eye open. Discover your optimal learning style—whether it's visual notes, audio summaries, or group sessions—and stick to it. Ineffective studying is wasted energy.

Take Smart Notes

Be selective with what you write down. Focus on high-yield concepts emphasized by professors. Well-organized, concise notes will save you when finals week hits.

Master Time Management

You’ll be juggling multiple subjects, exams, labs, and clinicals. Use a digital calendar or planner to track tasks and deadlines. Eliminate distractions (looking at you, Instagram). Little hacks—like prepping meals ahead or skipping Starbucks lines—go a long way.

Sleep Whenever Possible

Even power naps between lectures can improve memory and alertness. Your brain physically needs rest to process new information. Medical students have been known to nap on benches, buses, and library floors. You’ll soon understand why.

Bonus: Global Health Internships Can Help You Thrive

Participating in a medical internship abroad before or during medical school builds resilience, enhances your clinical exposure, and strengthens your application. At Go Elective, students gain real-world experience shadowing physicians in under-resourced hospitals abroad. You’ll learn firsthand about patient care, tropical diseases, and public health systems—lessons that will stick with you far beyond Step 2 exams.

Final Thoughts: Yes, It’s Hard. But Yes, You Can Do It.

Medical school will challenge every part of you—mentally, emotionally, and physically. But for those who are called to heal and serve, the struggle is worth it.

Want to boost your med school readiness with real clinical experience abroad? Explore Go Elective’s programs to get shadowing opportunities, mentorship, and exposure to healthcare systems in East Africa.

Article Details

Categories

Recent Articles , Pre-health, Medical Electives,

Author: Go=Elective Abroad

Date Published: May 11, 2025