What to do freshman year as premed?

For freshman premeds, focus on building a strong academic foundation with a good GPA, exploring interests through diverse extracurriculars (volunteering, clubs, research), finding mentors, and balancing all this with personal well-being and fun to avoid burnout, all while getting early clinical exposure and connecting with pre-med advisors.

What should you do as a freshman premed?

Research, volunteering, part-time work, and shadowing are common premed extracurriculars. Though these activities are not required for academics, they look great on your resume when applying for medical school.

What to do freshman summer pre-med?

Summer is a great time to get medically related experience, which can be an important piece of a medical school application. You can volunteer, shadow a doctor, work in a lab, or participate in a summer program that may include several of these experiences.

Is a 3.2 GPA too low for med school?

A 3.2 GPA is considered low for medical school, as the average accepted applicant often has a 3.7+, but it's not impossible; you'd need an exceptional MCAT score, strong clinical/research experience, significant grade improvement (upward trend), and a compelling narrative to compensate, potentially focusing on DO programs or post-baccalaureate programs to boost your GPA and science record. 

What is the hardest class in pre-med?

The hardest pre-med course is subjective but Organic Chemistry (O-Chem) is the most commonly cited "killer," followed closely by Biochemistry and Physics, often due to the need for advanced conceptual understanding and problem-solving, not just memorization, with some students finding general biology's memorization-heavy nature challenging as well. Your personal strengths, such as spatial reasoning or memorization, significantly impact which course feels hardest.
 

5 Premed Milestones for Freshmen (Yes, You're Behind)

Is a 3.7 GPA bad premed?

College GPAs of Students Accepted Into Medical Schools

The mean GPA in 2025 was 3.67 for med school applicants and 3.81 for matriculants; an increase from 3.79 in 2024, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges.

What is the 32 hour rule in medical school?

The "32-hour rule" in medical school admissions refers to a policy where some medical schools focus on an applicant's GPA from their most recent 32 credit hours, often in science courses, instead of their entire undergraduate GPA, benefiting students with a strong upward trend or a solid post-baccalaureate performance. Schools like Wayne State University and LSU Health New Orleans use variations of this to give more weight to recent academic efforts, allowing strong performance in later coursework or post-bacc programs to shine. 

Is a 3.6 GPA impressive?

Yes, a 3.6 GPA is generally considered very good, placing you well above the national average (around 3.0) and making you a strong candidate for many selective colleges, though it might be below average for the most elite universities like the Ivies, where other factors like rigorous courses, extracurriculars, and essays become crucial for admission. 

Does Harvard accept 3.2 GPA?

It's extremely difficult but technically possible to get into Harvard with a 3.2 GPA because of their holistic review, but you'd need truly exceptional achievements in other areas (like world-class extracurriculars, unique talents, incredible essays, or compelling personal circumstances) to offset such a low GPA, as most admitted students have much higher GPAs (around 4.18 average) and strong academic records. Don't rely on it, but if you have extraordinary accomplishments, you could apply while also applying to other strong universities. 

Can I become a doctor with a 3.8 GPA?

About 66% of applicants with a GPA greater or equal to 3.8 get accepted into medical school. Every year, a typical applicant applies to about 15 medical schools.

Why is Gen Z not going to college?

Gen Z is questioning college due to sky-high costs, massive student debt, and a shaky job market where degrees don't guarantee success, leading many to explore lucrative alternatives like trade schools, entrepreneurship, or acquiring digital skills, valuing direct career entry and financial independence over traditional four-year paths. They see past generations struggling with loans and uncertain job prospects, shifting focus to better Return on Investment (ROI), with many regretting college or seeking more practical, cheaper education. 

How to make $2000 a month as a college student?

To make $2000/month as a college student, combine high-paying gigs like freelancing (writing, design, editing), tutoring (especially in high-demand subjects), and remote part-time jobs with flexible options like food delivery, pet sitting, or campus ambassador roles, and consider passive income from digital products or affiliate marketing, leveraging skills and the gig economy for consistent income streams. Success often comes from diversifying income and smart time management, focusing on skills that command higher rates.
 

What do premeds do over the summer?

Premeds have told us how working as a barista , being a camp counselor , traveling , or even taking salsa classes helped them build key skills like communication, teamwork, cultural awareness, and reliability.

What is the #1 hardest college to get into?

There isn't one single #1 hardest school, as it changes slightly by year and criteria, but Harvard University, Stanford University, MIT, and Caltech consistently rank among the top with extremely low acceptance rates (often 3-4%) and intense competition for spots, though other top global universities like Oxford and Tsinghua are also incredibly selective. Harvard is frequently cited as the hardest due to its high volume of applications and focus on global leadership potential, while Caltech is known for its extreme difficulty in STEM. 

Is $500 a month enough for a college student?

$500 a month can be enough for a college student's personal expenses (dining out, entertainment, shopping) if they have housing/food covered and live frugally in a low-cost area, but it's often tight and insufficient for all living costs like rent and utilities, with many students needing $1,200-$2,500+ monthly for total expenses, making budgeting crucial. 

What extracurriculars boost med school chances?

Here are some of the most highly regarded extracurricular activities that can strengthen your medical school application:

• Volunteering at a hospital or clinic. ...
• Participating in research. ...
• Shadowing a physician. ...
• Leadership roles in student organizations. ...
• Community service.

What was Barack Obama's LSAT score?

Barack Obama's specific LSAT score has never been officially released, but it's widely believed he scored very highly (likely in the 170s) to gain admission to Harvard Law School, especially given his undergraduate GPA was considered relatively low for Harvard applicants. Experts suggest his score was well above average, probably in the top percentile, possibly placing him in the 94th to 98th percentile range to compensate for his undergraduate record and secure admission.
 

What GPA is top 1%?

A GPA in the top 1% usually means a near-perfect score, often a 4.0 on a 4.0 scale, or a very high weighted GPA (like 4.5+) if honors/AP classes are included, representing the highest distinction, Summa Cum Laude, for the top 1-5% of a graduating class, though specific thresholds vary by school and year.
 

Is a 6.0 GPA good for Harvard?

A 6.0 GPA is exceptional and generally excellent for Harvard, likely placing you in the top tier, especially if weighted; while Harvard averages around 4.18-4.2 weighted, a perfect score suggests outstanding achievement, but remember, admissions also heavily weigh challenging coursework (AP/IB), essays, recommendations, and extracurriculars for a holistic review. 

Has anyone got a 6.0 GPA?

Yes, a 6.0 GPA is possible but extremely rare, occurring only in high schools with specific weighted grading systems where advanced (AP, IB, Honors) classes are assigned more points (e.g., 6 points for an A) than regular classes (4 points), allowing students to surpass a traditional 4.0 or 5.0 scale by taking many challenging courses and getting all A's. While some districts use scales up to 6.0, achieving it requires maximum rigor and perfect grades, making it an exceptional accomplishment.
 

Can I get into an ivy with a 3.6 GPA?

While 3.6-3.7 is a good unweighted GPA, it's below the average reported at Ivy League schools. However, this doesn't mean acceptance is impossible! A well-rounded profile, compelling essays, and special talents and interests can help you stand out.

What will an F do to a 3.5 GPA?

An F (0 points) on a course will significantly lower a 3.5 GPA, the exact drop depending on the course's credit hours compared to your total credits; if you fail a 3-credit course with mostly A's (4.0), your GPA could fall to around 3.20, but could drop more if the F is on a higher-credit course or if you have fewer total credits, though you can often retake it to replace the grade. 

Is being a doctor a 9 to 5 job?

No, most doctors do not work a standard 9-to-5; their hours are often long, irregular, and include nights, weekends, and on-call shifts, varying greatly by specialty, with roles like ER or OB/GYN having less fixed schedules, while some outpatient or VA physicians might find more 9-to-5 opportunities, though still typically exceeding 40 hours weekly. 

Can I get my MD in 3 years?

Yes, you can get your M.D. in three years through competitive, accelerated medical school programs (3-Year MD Pathways) offered by some universities, allowing you to finish medical school faster, save on costs, and potentially enter residency sooner, often with a direct path to a residency program at the same institution. These programs are rigorous, geared toward high-achieving students already set on a specialty (like primary care), and compress the traditional four-year curriculum into three by adding pre-matriculation work and summer research. 

What is the oldest person to go to medical school?

The oldest recent medical graduate making global headlines is Toh Hong Keng, a 70-year-old retired Malaysian executive who graduated from Southwestern University (SWU) PHINMA School of Medicine in the Philippines in 2024, becoming one of the world's oldest medical students to earn a degree. While there's no official record for the absolute "oldest," Toh Hong Keng's story highlights that age is no barrier to achieving medical dreams, even with challenges like memory and eyesight.