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Preparing for medical school applications varies by region and the process can be quite complicated.   In European and Asian countries, prospective students can typically start their medical education right after high school, with programs lasting about six years.  On the other hand, in the US and Canada, medical schools usually require applicants to have completed an undergraduate degree before taking a medical program usually lasting three to four years.

The competition for medical school entry is intense.  Applicants must not only meet the academic requirements but aim to surpass the standard set by their chosen schools. 

Pre-requisite courses are a common requirement, often including subjects like biology, chemistry, and physics.  Successful candidates to top medical schools frequently demonstrate strong performance in these foundational subjects.

Personal interviews are a critical component of the application process. Medical schools are looking for candidates who can articulate their passion for medicine and communicate effectively.  

Standardised tests such as the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) in the US and the UCAT (UK Clinical Aptitude Test) in the UK are often mandatory.  The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) reported the average MCAT score for applicants was 506.4 in the 2023-2024 admission cycle, whereas successful matriculants averaged 511.5.  The UCAT’s mean scaled score of the cognitive subtest in 2023 is 2516.

According to the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Ranking by the subjects of clinical and health, here are the top 20 medical schools in 2023:

1. University of Oxford (UK)
2. University of Cambridge (UK)
3. Harvard University (US)
4. Imperial College London (UK)
5. Tsinghua University (China)
6. Stanford University (US)
7. University of Toronto (Canada)
8. UCL (UK)
9. Yale University (US)
10. King’s College London (UK)
11. Johns Hopkins University (US)
12. Columbia University (UK)
13. University of Hong Kong (China)
14. National University of Singapore (Singapore)
15. University of Pennsylvania (US)
16. UCLA (US)
17. University of Melbourne (Australia) 

    (17) University of Washington (US)

    (19) University of California, Berkley (US)

    (19)  Karolinska Institute (Sweden)

Given the distinct requirements and nuances of each medical school, prospective students need to start early preparations for their admission tests and interviews, ideally with expert guidance.   At Bearing Academy, our professional consultants from diverse medical backgrounds offer customised services to provide students with invaluable guidance, supporting them from pre-med through their medical studies. The service can also support those in medical internships.  

Contact us today by emailing info@bearing-academy.com for details about our service to help your teens who are interested in this professional field.