Medicine

Career Info

For motivated individuals, the field of medicine offers a challenging, yet rewarding career. Due to the number of specialties, it is a diverse and complicated profession. There are two types of medical degrees which lead to the role of a physician: allopathic, who hold an MD degree (Doctor of Medicine), and osteopathic, who hold a DO degree (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine).  Both degrees offer the opportunity to be fully qualified to practice medicine in the United States. Both allopathic and osteopathic doctors attend 4 years of medical school, 3-8 years of residency, and must pass multiple licensing exams. According to the American Osteopathic Association, “osteopathic medicine is a parallel branch of medicine with a distinct philosophy and approach to patient care which focuses on holistic patient care, the unity of all body parts, the body’s ability to heal itself and preventive medicine.”

Physicians are well compensated for their work, with a median annual wage of $239,200 in 2023. The job outlook is strong, as the United States looks to combat the projected physician shortage in the coming years. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 3% growth rate for the field by 2032.

For more information

Outlook: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physicians-and-surgeons.htm

Education and Training

 Medical school programs are four years in length. The first two years entail learning the basic sciences essential to medicine. The second two years include a series of required & elective clinical rotations, lasting 4-12 weeks each. During the fourth year of medical school, students apply to graduate medical education training programs (known as residencies). Residencies last 3-8 years, depending on the specialty. Medicine offers an opportunity to provide primary care or specialized medicine. Primary care residencies are in pediatrics, internal and general medicine, and OBGYN. Specialties can be in a variety of areas including surgery, dermatology, radiology, oncology, psychiatry, etc. Medical students must pass a series of national board exams during medical school, residency, and prior to licensure.

Applying to medical school is a competitive process, so students need to strive for high academic achievement and perform well on the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) exam which covers content from all the general prerequisite courses listed below. To learn more about the MCAT, visit the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) website.

Community service, leadership skills, research, health-related experience, a personal statement and strong letters of recommendation are also needed. Since the application process is highly competitive, students are encouraged to see a Pre-Health Professions Peer Advisor in their freshman/sophomore years in order to plan properly. In their third/fourth years, they should meet with a Pre-Health Professions Staff Advisor for application planning. 

The national AAMC median undergraduate GPA for matriculants to allopathic medical schools in 2025 was a mean total GPA of 3.81, and a mean science GPA of 3.75, and a total MCAT score of 512.1. The official AACOM acceptance and matriculant data for the 2025 entering class shows an average overall GPA of 3.62, a science GPA of 3.53, and a total MCAT score of 502.95. 

Semester Course Recommendations 

Medical School Admissions Exams

Most allopathic (MD) and osteopathic (DO) medical schools require applicants to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). The MCAT is a standardized exam designed to assess the scientific knowledge, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills needed for success in medical school.

The MCAT consists of four sections:

• Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems
• Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS)
• Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
• Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior

No undergraduate curriculum covers every topic tested on the MCAT. Most students complete the prerequisite coursework, take a full-length practice exam to identify their strengths and areas for improvement, and then use an MCAT preparation course or self-study resources to review content and develop effective test-taking strategies.

In addition to the MCAT, an increasing number of medical schools require or recommend a situational judgment assessment, such as CASPer or AAMC PREview. Unlike the MCAT, these assessments do not test scientific knowledge. Instead, they evaluate the personal and professional competencies expected of future physicians through responses to ethical and interpersonal scenarios. Competencies assessed may include communication, professionalism, teamwork, ethics, empathy, resilience, and decision-making. Because admission requirements vary by medical school, applicants should review each school's admissions website to determine which assessments are required. Please explore the resources below to learn more about the MCAT, CASPer, and AAMC PREview.

 

MCAT

 

AAMC – MCAT Official Website

https://students-residents.aamc.org/mcat-exam

Overview of the MCAT, registration, fees, accommodations, and score information.

AAMC – What's on the MCAT Exam?

https://students-residents.aamc.org/prepare-mcat-exam/whats-mcat-exam

Official content outline, foundational concepts, and skills tested.

AAMC – Free MCAT Official Prep Resources

https://students-residents.aamc.org/prepare-mcat-exam/official-mcat-practice-materials

Official practice questions, full-length exams, and free study resources.

 

CASPer

 

Acuity Insights – CASPer

https://acuityinsights.app/casper/

Official CASPer website with registration, test format, preparation resources, and participating schools.

Acuity Insights – CASPer Preparation

https://acuityinsights.app/prepare/

Free preparation materials, sample questions, and practice scenarios.

 

AAMC PREview

 

AAMC PREview Professional Readiness Exam

https://students-residents.aamc.org/aamc-preview

Official information on the PREview exam, competencies assessed, registration, and participating schools.

AAMC PREview Examinee Preparation Guide

https://students-residents.aamc.org/aamc-preview/prepare-aamc-preview-exam

Official preparation guide, sample questions, and testing tips.

Helpful Planning Resource

AAMC Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR)

https://students-residents.aamc.org/medical-school-admission-requirements

Search individual medical schools to determine whether they require the MCAT, CASPer, AAMC PREview, or other assessments.

Medical Schools in California

CA Allopathic Medical Schools
UC Davis
UC San Francisco
UC San Diego
UC Los Angeles
UC Irvine
UC Riverside
University of Southern California
Loma Linda
Stanford
California Northstate University
California University of Science and Medicine
Kaiser Permanente

CA Osteopathic Medical Schools
Western University of Health Sciences
Touro University 
California Health Sciences University

Professional Association Links

For more information on allopathic medicine, visit the Association of American Medical Colleges website at: www.aamc.org. For osteopathic medicine, visit the Association of American Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine at: www.aacom.org. 

Cal Poly American Medical Student Association (AMSA)

To get involved with the Cal Poly American Medical Student Association (AMSA) chapter, contact calpolyamsa@calpoly.edu, visit their website (calpolyamsa.wixsite.com/website), or follow them on Instagram (@calpolyamsa).

Cal Poly Alumni in Medicine

Nic Lalanne - Oregon Health Sciences University
Laura Clayton - Frank H. Netter School of Medicine
Abby Wilmer - University of North Dakota School of Medicine