What Accepted Students Should Do Before Orientation

You got in. Now what?

The months between your acceptance and the start of medical school are valuable. This is not a time to start studying biochemistry flashcards (that comes soon enough), but there are practical and personal steps that will help you transition smoothly.

Administrative tasks

Handle these first

Accept your offer and pay your deposit by the deadline
Complete your financial aid paperwork (FAFSA if you have not already)
Review and accept your loan package (understand the terms before signing)
Submit immunization records and complete any required health screenings
Complete your background check and drug screening
Secure housing near your school (start early, especially in competitive markets)
Obtain your student ID and set up your school email
Register for orientation and any pre-matriculation programs

Financial planning

Medical school is a significant financial commitment. Before classes begin:

Create a realistic budget that accounts for tuition, rent, food, transportation, insurance, and personal expenses. Many schools offer financial counseling sessions during orientation, but having a draft budget beforehand helps you ask better questions.

Understand your loan terms. Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans and Grad PLUS loans are the primary federal options. Interest accrues from the day of disbursement, even while you are in school. Knowing this upfront helps you make informed decisions about borrowing. See our Medical School Debt and Income-Driven Repayment guides.

If you are considering military scholarships (HPSP, NHSC), the application deadlines may fall before you start school. See our Military Medical Scholarships page.

Personal preparation

Rest and recharge. You have been working toward this goal for years. Take a real break before medical school starts. Travel, spend time with family and friends, pursue a hobby, or simply do nothing for a few weeks. The workload in M1 is relentless, and starting from a place of rest rather than burnout makes a difference.

Establish routines. Medical school demands consistent sleep, exercise, and nutrition habits. If you do not already have these habits, the months before school is the time to build them. Students who exercise regularly, sleep 7 to 8 hours, and eat reasonably well consistently outperform students who sacrifice these for extra study hours.

Connect with classmates. Most schools have incoming class group chats or social media groups. Joining these is a low-effort way to find roommates, learn about the area, and start building your support network.

Should you study before starting?

Opinions vary, and there is no consensus. Here is our honest take:

Tip

If you want to preview material, spend a few hours familiarizing yourself with anatomy terminology and basic histology. These subjects hit hardest in the first weeks because the vocabulary is entirely new. BioDigital (free for students) and Visible Body are useful anatomy visualization tools. But do not try to pre-study the entire M1 curriculum. Your school will teach you what you need to know, and the study methods that worked in college may not work in medical school. Stay open to adapting.

What not to worry about

You do not need to buy a new laptop, a new wardrobe, or expensive medical equipment before starting. Your school will tell you exactly what is required. Most students need a reliable laptop, a stethoscope (some schools provide one), and comfortable shoes for clinical settings. Everything else can wait.

You also do not need to choose your specialty yet. Many students enter medical school thinking they know what they want to do, and the majority change their minds at least once during clinical rotations. Stay open.

What to Expect in Medical School
How to Choose Between Schools
Income-Driven Repayment Plans
The True Cost of Becoming a Doctor

Last verified: March 2026