Your Journey to
Medical & Dental School
One clear timeline from high school to your acceptance — exactly what to do at each stage, the free tools to use, and how we help you get there.
7
Stages
Free
Tools & guides
1-to-1
Expert support
Med + Dental
Both covered
Start with the free stuff
The tools and guides we're known for — built to slot straight into the roadmap below, no payment needed to get going.
Your Journey to Medical & Dental School
Eight steps from choosing your path to an acceptance. At each one: what to do, a checklist to tick off, the free tools to use, and how we help.
- 1StartStep 1
Decide your path
Medicine or Dentistry?
First, decide which path you're aiming for. Here's how the two careers compare — the whole roadmap below works for both.
Medicine
Become a physician (MD or DO) and lead patient care — diagnosing, treating and managing health across 40+ specialties, from primary care to neurosurgery.
- 4 years med school + 3–7 years residency
- MD (allopathic) or DO (osteopathic) — both are physicians
- Median attending pay ~$240k+ (specialty-dependent)
- 40+ specialties matched via the residency Match
- MCAT + AMCAS / AACOMAS application
- High job security and respect
Dentistry
Specialize in oral health, dental surgery and cosmetic care — with strong work–life balance and the option to own your own practice.
- 4 years dental school (DDS or DMD — equivalent degrees)
- Better work–life balance than medicine
- Median dentist pay ~$170k+
- Own-practice & specialty potential
- DAT + AADSAS application
- Mix of clinical, surgical & aesthetic work
- 2High schoolStep 2
Foundations
Just Starting Out
What you do
Build strong academics and start exploring medicine early. Take rigorous science classes, get your first taste of a clinical or caring environment, and choose a college with solid pre-med advising — your major matters far less than your grades, prerequisites and experiences.
95%feel more confident after early guidanceTick these off
0/4Free tools & how we help
- 3Throughout collegeStep 3
Build your profile
Clinical & Research Experience
What you do
US admissions are holistic, so your experiences carry as much weight as your stats. Build a consistent track record of clinical exposure, physician shadowing, research, non-clinical volunteering and leadership — and keep a reflective log so you can write about it later.
Holisticexperiences weigh as much as your statsTick these off
0/4Free tools & how we help
- 4Throughout collegeStep 4
Academics
GPA & Prerequisites
What you do
Your GPA — especially your science (BCPM) GPA — is one of the first things admissions committees screen. Earn strong grades while completing the standard prerequisite courses most schools expect, and keep your upward trend going through junior and senior year.
3.7+median GPA at most MD programsTick these off
0/4Free tools & how we help
- 5Junior yearStep 5
Admissions test
MCAT Preparation
What you do
The MCAT is a 7.5-hour, four-section exam (Chem/Phys, CARS, Bio/Biochem, Psych/Soc) scored from 472 to 528. Most applicants study 300+ hours over 3–6 months and test in the spring or summer of junior year, before submitting their application.
511+a competitive MCAT for most MD schoolsTick these off
0/4Free tools & how we help
- 6Summer (apply)Step 6
Application
Your Application & Essays
What you do
Submit your primary application through AMCAS (MD), AACOMAS (DO) or AADSAS (dental) — it opens in May, and applying early matters. It carries your personal statement, 15 Work & Activities entries (three flagged "most meaningful"), transcripts and letters of recommendation. Then write tailored secondary essays for each school, fast.
~16schools the average applicant applies toTick these off
0/4Free tools & how we help
- 7Aug–MarStep 7
Interviews
Interviews: Secure Your Seat
What you do
From late summer through winter, schools invite candidates to interview — traditional one-on-one, MMI, or hybrid panels, now usually virtual. Many also require the CASPer and AAMC PREview situational-judgement tests. Prepare to discuss your motivation, ethics, US healthcare topics and your experiences with clarity and composure.
92%offer-success rate after our prepTick these off
0/4Free tools & how we help
- Accepted!Accepted!
The finish line
White Coat! 🎉
What you do
Congratulations! Acceptances roll out from October onward. Once you're holding offers, weigh financial aid, location and fit, then commit by the AAMC deadline. From here it's orientation, your white coat ceremony, and the start of becoming a physician — we're proud to have been part of your journey.
100%journey complete — welcome to medical schoolTick these off
0/4Free tools & how we help
Not sure where you fit?
Book a 1-to-1 consultation and we'll map your exact next steps — from school list to MCAT timing — or dive straight into our free US resources.