The transition from engineering to medical school is not all that uncommon. Medical schools in the U.S. generally don’t care about your undergrad major. There are even cases where people have gone from studying humanities and arts to medical school. As long as you can show your aptitude for the medical field, you stand a fair chance of getting in. You can do this by scoring high on MCAT and taking relevant courses depending on a particular med school’s requirements.

Fortunately, engineers will find the transition more palatable than, say, people with a humanities background. In essence, engineering teaches you problem-solving, critical thinking, and the ability to come up with innovative ideas to tackle complex issues. This is precisely the sort of mindset you need to excel at med-school.

Hence, it is entirely possible to become a doctor with an engineering background.

Where do I begin?

Firstly, you would need to ascertain whether you have taken the relevant courses required by med-schools. However, since you are coming with an engineering degree, likely, you haven’t taken all the pre-requisite courses.

This is where you need to do a little research as different schools have different requirements. Once you know what courses you need to take, you will have to enroll in a post-bac program.

A post-bac program is designed to take you through all the courses that are required by med-schools. This is the same type of Program that anyone else will take to change careers. The duration of your post-bac Program will vary depending on the number of courses. However, generally, you can expect one year at the very least.

Where can I find a post-bac program?

Thankfully, finding a post-bac program is very easy. Post-bac programs are widespread, and chances are you will find one easily in your state.

One of the best resources for finding a post-bac program is to use The Association of American Medical Colleges(AAMC) database. This database has over 200 programs from all over the U.S.

However, do keep in mind that this is not an exhaustive list. There might be programs in your area that are not on this list. Hence, do diligent research on your end if you feel the database doesn’t have options close to you.

Volunteer work

A post-bac degree is also good because it gives you time to do some volunteer work. Med-schools are picky about the extra-curricular activities these days. You can volunteer at any health-related institute or find a relevant internship etc. You need to show on your application that you have worked closely with health care professionals in some capacity.

What do I after my post-bac Program?

Once you have finished your post-bac, you will start preparing for the MCAT. MCAT is the standardized test used by med-schools to assess your aptitude. It is what GRE is to grad-school, and SAT is to college. MCAT Is usually a challenge to those who come from widely unrelated fields. However, since you are an engineer and have taken a post-bac program, you wouldn’t have much trouble. There are plenty of resources, both books, and online courses, to help prepare you for the test.

Give yourself at least 3-6 months before you take the test.

I am done with my MCAT. What now?

Now, you will start applying to med-schools. You need to have a stellar application, including everything that is expected of a med-school aspirant. It will significantly help your chances if you have research experience, volunteer work, and internships under your belt. Moreover, med-schools also encourage extra-curricular activities and hobbies that reflect commitment, i.e., playing a musical instrument, excelling at sports, etc.

The med-school application process differs from other schools because students submit their applications to American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS). This is a very unified process, and it absolves you from mailing your application to individual schools.

You can start by making an account and then uploading all the relevant documents. You will get to choose which med-schools you want AMCAS to send your application to.

Also, keep in mind that you may need to send a “secondary application” to a med-school after reviewing your primary application. This stage typically comes after a med-school shows interest in your application. Your secondary application is where you explain in more detail why you’re interested in that particular institution, how your goals, experiences, and plans align with their mission and objectives, and how/what you would contribute and develop as a learner at that institution.

Would I be called for an interview?

Yes. Many schools call short-listed applicants for personal interviews. This interview can either be on campus or remote. Your interview will contain a myriad of questions such as “why do you want to be a doctor?”. The questions will vary from general to specific, so you need to do your homework beforehand. You may be asked whether you read any medical journals or what a postcode lottery is.

There will also be questions regarding ethics, such as the abortion issue or euthanasia. If you keep up with the medical world, you wouldn’t have much trouble in the interview. Just be true to yourself and answer sincerely and honestly. If you don’t know an answer, simply say so and don’t pretend otherwise.

Don’t overthink the interview process and go in with zero assumptions. Your best bet is to find tips and videos online from people who have already gone through it. Med-school interviews are also notorious for checking how you perform under stress. Due to this, they will likely ask you questions that are sensitive and controversial. The best thing you can do is remain calm and give honest answers even when the answers appear inappropriate.