Profession Hub
Plan your medical school pathway
SDN helps pre-medical students and MD/DO applicants compare medical schools, prepare applications and interviews, understand medical training, and connect with medical students, residents, and physicians in the SDN community.
SDN resources are free through the support of our donors and sponsors.
Applicant Path
Pre-Medical Planning and Medical School Resources
Planning & Assessment
Activity Finder
Find extracurricular activities: medical/clinical jobs, volunteering, research, and shadowing
School Database
Learn all about medical schools
Physician Q&A
Interviews with doctors across specialties
Specialty Selector
Compare medical specialties using a tool based on Anita D. Taylor’s classic specialty-choice framework
How to Choose a Post Baccalaureate or Special Masters Program (SMP)
Factors to consider for post-baccalaureate and special master’s programs
Applications & Interviews
LizzyM Application Assistant
The LizzyM Score is a reference value created by LizzyM to give medical school applicants a quick snapshot of academic competitiveness.
Personal Statement Guide
Craft compelling essays
Application Cost Calculator
Budget for the cost of the application process
AMCAS Tracker
Monitor application verification progress
Interview Feedback
Review interview experiences shared by applicants
Test Prep & Resources
MCAT 3-Month Study Schedule
100-day schedule to support self study
Casper/PREview Community
Discuss Casper, PREview, and other situational judgment tests
Pre-Medical Glossary
Common terms, acronyms, and abbreviations
Review2
Testing center reviews from other applicants
Advising and Coaching
Ask an Advisor
Ask a confidential question in the SDN Forums and receive free guidance from SDN verified expert advisors. Donations help keep this service available to every student.
Work with a Coach
Work one-on-one with a professional pre-health coach for structured application support. Coaching is donation-based so students can contribute according to their ability.
How Do I Choose a Medical Specialty?
Use SDN’s specialty selector to compare medical specialties against your interests, values, and preferred practice environment. The tool is based on Anita D. Taylor’s classic How to Choose a Medical Specialty.
How Can I Prepare for Medical School Interviews?
Discover details about interview and student experiences at medical schools reported by students after their interviews.
“I love you guys!!! Thank you for everything you do for the health professions community! I would be so lost without you and SDN.”
“Thank you for being what you are. It’s been a great resource for me when applying to medical school and during medical school. I hope it continues to serve me for the foreseeable future.”
Medical School Articles
SDN articles in this hub cover pre-medical preparation, medical school admissions, MCAT planning, interviews, residency, specialties, and physician perspectives.
- “Tell Me About Yourself”: How to Answer the Most Common Medical School Interview Question
- SJTs for Health Professions Admissions in the United States and Canada: A Research Review
- How to Make a (More) Transparent Holistic Admissions Process
Physician Q&A and Interviews
Featuring interviews with physicians, residents, educators, and specialists across medical career paths.
Free planning app
Premed Planner App
Track coursework, experiences, and application milestones as you plan your path to medical school. Premed Planner is free to use, with no ads or tracking.
Pre-Medical Community Discussions
Share your experiences and talk about the admissions process with pre-medical students on the SDN Community Forums.
Latest Pre-Medical Discussions
Current phase: Primary Application (May - Jul)
- Early Prep (Jan - Apr 2026)
- Current Primary Application (May - Jul 2026)
- Secondaries (Aug - Sep 2026)
- Interviews (Oct 2026 - Mar 2027)
- Acceptances (Apr - Jul 2027)
