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Embarking on the pre-medical track can feel daunting. You’re signing up for some of the most challenging courses your university offers – all while juggling extracurriculars, clinical experiences, a social life, and the pressure to maintain a stellar GPA. And at the end of it all? The prospect of up to eleven more years of training before officially becoming a doctor.

If that sounds overwhelming, you're not alone. But here’s the good news: Tufts truly sets itself apart in how it supports its pre-med students. The journey here is not only manageable – it’s deeply rewarding. With endless opportunities, a wealth of resources, strong ties to Tufts Medical School, and a remarkably supportive community, Tufts offers a pre-med experience that is as enriching as it is rigorous.

 

The Basics

One of the most common misconceptions among prospective pre-med students is that “pre-med” is a major. In reality, it’s not a major at all – it's a track, meaning students can pursue any major in any field while preparing for medical school. 

While many pre-med students at Tufts choose majors in the natural sciences – such as biology, biochemistry, biopsychology, or chemistry – because of the overlap with pre-med requirements, students are encouraged to follow their interests wherever they may lead. Whether that’s a related field like biomedical engineering or community health, or something seemingly unrelated like English, computer science, or international relations, Tufts students have the flexibility to explore diverse academic passions while staying on track for a medical career.

Academically, the pre-med track is simply a set of recommended courses that most medical schools expect applicants to complete during their undergraduate studies. At Tufts, those generally include the following:

Biology: 

At least two semesters of introductory Biology courses. Upper-level courses in genetics and/or cell and molecular biology are helpful but not required.

Chemistry: 

Two years of chemistry coursework, typically including two semesters of general chemistry, one semester of organic chemistry, and one semester of biochemistry. Unlike many schools, Organic Chemistry I at Tufts is equivalent to a full year at other institutions, which is noted on transcripts for medical schools.

Physics: 

Two semesters of introductory physics

Mathematics: 

Two semesters of math, including at least one statistics course. While fewer medical schools now require calculus, many still recommend it, so taking at least one semester (e.g., Calculus I) is a safe choice.

English/Writing: 

Two writing-intensive courses.

Additional Notes: 

Courses in behavioral sciences – such as psychology, sociology, or community health – are also encouraged, as these subjects appear on the MCAT and are relevant to medical school curricula.

While many students enter Tufts with pre-matriculation credits that could exempt them from certain pre-med courses, it's generally advised not to rely on these exemptions. Medical schools prefer to see that applicants have completed core pre-med requirements as part of their college coursework. So even if it feels repetitive to retake a class you’ve already received credit for, these courses offer valuable preparation for both the MCAT and future medical school classes.

Although the list of pre-med requirements may seem daunting at first, Tufts’ liberal arts curriculum makes it entirely manageable. Thanks to significant overlap between major, foundational, distribution, and pre-med courses, students can comfortably complete everything within four years. For example, the two math courses required by the School of Arts and Sciences can fulfill the pre-med math requirement. Similarly, the writing foundation requirement can count toward the English/writing component of the pre-med track. With thoughtful planning and the support of Tufts’ advising resources, completing the pre-med coursework is entirely achievable, allowing students to stay on track for medical school without sacrificing the opportunity to explore a wide range of academic interests.

 

Health Professions Advising (HPA)

For any questions about medical career paths, required coursework, extracurricular expectations, or application timelines, Tufts students can turn to the Health Professions Advising (HPA) team. HPA advisors take a holistic approach, working closely with students to help them explore their interests, chart personalized paths toward healthcare careers, and achieve their professional goals.

Students are encouraged to stay informed through Health-E News, a weekly newsletter featuring advising tips, job and internship opportunities, and details about upcoming events. They can also schedule group or one-on-one advising appointments to connect directly with the HPA team. Additionally, the HPA Canvas page serves as a comprehensive resource, offering detailed guidance on different healthcare professions, relevant Tufts course tracks, links to graduate programs, and step-by-step information about the application process and beyond. 

 

Tufts University School of Medicine

Located in the heart of Downtown Boston’s Chinatown, just steps from Boston Common, the Tufts Medical Campus houses the Tufts University School of Medicine, the School of Dental Medicine, and the Tufts Medical Center. This close affiliation provides Tufts undergraduate students with unique access to a wide range of resources, experiences, and mentorship opportunities within the medical field.

Throughout the year, Tufts Medical School hosts events that are open to students across the Boston area, with Tufts undergraduates often receiving priority access. These events consistently offer a range of engaging opportunities for pre-med students. Highlights include medical student panels, where attendees gain firsthand insight into the realities of medical school and have the opportunity to connect with current medical students for future conversations. Students can also participate in hands-on case study workshops that simulate clinical decision-making, allowing them to apply classroom knowledge to real-world medical scenarios. Additionally, keynote speakers – often leaders in medicine – share their expertise and perspectives, offering further inspiration and guidance for aspiring physicians.

Early Assurance Program

One of the most valuable opportunities available to Tufts undergraduates through the Tufts Medical Center is the Tufts School of Medicine Early Assurance Program (EAP). This highly selective program allows eligible students to apply to Tufts Medical School at the end of their sophomore year and potentially receive a conditional acceptance, provided they continue to meet academic and extracurricular standards through their senior year.

To apply, students must complete two semesters each of general biology and general chemistry, as well as one semester of organic chemistry by the time of application (or by the end of the first summer session if needed). Applicants must also maintain a minimum cumulative and science GPA of 3.7 and submit standardized test scores (SAT or ACT), regardless of whether Tufts undergraduate admissions were test-optional at the time. Clinical experience demonstrating informed motivation for a medical career is also required. The application includes a personal statement, short essays, three letters of recommendation, and an application fee. Selected applicants are invited for interviews as the final stage of the process. 

Historically, EAP students were not required to take the MCAT. However, beginning with the 2027–28 academic year, the MCAT will be required to finalize admission. While this change may seem like a drawback, it ultimately benefits students by preparing them for future standardized testing and giving them the flexibility to apply to other medical schools if they later choose not to matriculate at Tufts.

 

Finding Clinical Experience

Although finding clinical experience can initially feel overwhelming, Tufts’ location makes it more accessible than you might expect. Boston is consistently ranked among the top U.S. cities for healthcare, home to world-renowned hospitals – such as Massachusetts General, Brigham and Women’s, Boston Medical Center, Beth Israel Deaconess, and Boston Children’s – as well as leading medical schools, including Tufts, Harvard, and Boston University. The city is also a hub for medical research and biotech innovation, offering countless opportunities to get involved in the evolving field of medicine.

Just a few miles from downtown Boston, Tufts’ Medford campus gives students access not only to the city's premier institutions but also to clinics and hospitals in surrounding suburbs, where competition for undergraduate roles is often lower due to their limited accessibility to undergraduates at other Boston universities. Many of these facilities actively seek student help and regularly post opportunities on platforms like LinkedIn and Handshake (a job site tailored for college students). Roles range from research interns and medical assistants to scribes, transporters, and shadowing positions – all valuable experiences for aspiring healthcare professionals

Tufts also provides undergraduates with the opportunity to become trained and licensed Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs). Offered both during the academic year and over the summer, the Emergency Care course is a state-approved program in prehospital emergency medicine that qualifies students to take the Massachusetts state certification exam. Upon passing, many students go on to work as EMTs or Emergency Department technicians in the greater Boston area.

Certified students are also encouraged to join Tufts Emergency Medical Services (TEMS), a student-run organization that provides on-campus emergency care throughout the academic year. TEMS offers a uniquely accessible way to gain clinical hours, as students can be on call while attending class, participating in extracurriculars, or studying. The experience is not only convenient but also hands-on, educational, and deeply rewarding.

Lastly, for students pursuing unpaid internships, research, or shadowing opportunities, Tufts offers both course credit and summer grants to support these experiences. During the academic year, students engaged in on-campus research can enroll in courses such as “Research in [Subject]” or “Independent Research in [Subject]” – depending on whether they’re working under a faculty member or conducting their own project. These courses award credit based on the number of hours spent in the lab over the semester.

For off-campus internships or research positions, students can apply for academic credit through the Tufts Career Center. The Career Center also administers a variety of summer internship grants for students with unpaid, full-time internships outside of Tufts. While specific eligibility requirements vary by grant, all aim to reduce financial barriers and ensure that valuable experiential learning – whether clinical, research-based, or community-oriented – is accessible to all students.

 

The Tufts Pre-Med Community

Last – but certainly not least – one of the most impactful aspects of the pre-med experience at Tufts is the strength of its student community. While there’s no official count – since the pre-med track is unlisted, non-binding, and self-directed – hundreds of Tufts undergraduates from a wide range of backgrounds pursue medicine each year. Pre-med students at Tufts are athletes, engineers, SMFA students, double (or even triple) concentrators, and study abroad participants – proving there’s no single mold for aspiring physicians here.

Despite the competitive nature of medical school admissions, the Tufts pre-med community is defined by its supportiveness and collaboration. Through groups like the Tufts Pre-Medical Society, students mentor one another, offering guidance on course planning, internship searches, and the med school application process. Many also engage in medically focused clubs such as Doctors Without Borders, the Kidney Disease Screening and Awareness Program (KDSAP), Essential Medical Supplies and Activism for Inequities and Disasters (EMS-AID), the Leonard Carmichael Society (LCS), and the Minority Association of Pre-Health Students (MAPS). These organizations create welcoming spaces for students to explore the medical field, serve their communities, and grow as future healthcare leaders.