This page covers academic planning for Massachusetts high school students interested in healthcare careers, including MCAS requirements, AP® and IB course selection, dual enrollment, and college planning with Massachusetts-specific financial aid programs.
MCAS and Graduation Requirements
Massachusetts requires students to pass the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) exams in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science and Technology/Engineering (Biology or Introductory Physics) to earn a high school diploma. The MCAS science exam is typically taken in grade 9 (Biology) or grade 10 (Introductory Physics). Pre-health students should aim to pass MCAS science with a score of Advanced or Proficient, but the MCAS tests represent a floor, not a ceiling. The AP® and IB courses described below provide the depth of preparation needed for college-level pre-med work.
AP® and IB Course Planning
Massachusetts high schools generally offer robust AP® science programs. Most comprehensive high schools provide AP® Biology, AP® Chemistry, and at least one AP® Physics option. Larger schools may also offer AP® Environmental Science, AP® Psychology, and AP® Statistics. Some Massachusetts schools offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme, with Higher Level Biology and Chemistry providing excellent pre-health preparation.
Recommended sequence: Freshman year, honors biology (complete MCAS Biology). Sophomore year, honors or AP® Chemistry. Junior year, AP® Biology (if not taken freshman year) and AP® Chemistry (if not taken sophomore year), plus begin physics. Senior year, AP® Physics and remaining advanced science electives. Also strongly consider AP® Psychology (tested on the MCAT® behavioral sciences section) and AP® Statistics (builds quantitative skills). See our AP® and IB Courses for Pre-Med page for detailed guidance.
If your Massachusetts high school does not offer a specific AP® course, explore dual enrollment at a nearby community college or UMass campus (see below), online AP® courses through approved providers, or self-study for the AP® exam (the College Board allows exam registration without a corresponding course).
Dual Enrollment in Massachusetts
Massachusetts community colleges: The 15 community colleges across Massachusetts offer dual enrollment programs that allow high school juniors and seniors to take college-level courses for both high school and college credit. Science courses may include general biology, general chemistry, anatomy and physiology, and psychology. Massachusetts law provides that dual enrollment courses are free or reduced cost for qualifying public high school students. Contact your school guidance counselor or the admissions office at your nearest community college for current eligibility and course offerings.
UMass campuses: UMass Amherst, UMass Boston, UMass Lowell, UMass Dartmouth, and UMass Chan (Worcester) offer various dual enrollment and early college credit programs for qualified high school students. UMass Amherst’s Commonwealth Honors College and other UMass programs may allow advanced high school students to take university courses. Check with individual UMass campuses for current offerings and eligibility.
Private institutions: Some Massachusetts private colleges offer concurrent enrollment or early college credit programs. Boston University, Northeastern, and others may have pathways for high school students to take college courses. These programs provide academic challenge and college credit but are typically tuition-based.
SAT® and ACT® Preparation
Massachusetts does not administer the SAT® as a statewide school-day test, so students must register independently. The PSAT (typically taken in 10th or 11th grade) provides a practice experience and may qualify you for National Merit Scholarship recognition. Free SAT® preparation through Khan Academy® (personalized based on your PSAT scores) and free ACT® practice tests at act.org are the recommended starting points. See our Standardized Test Prep page. Fee waivers are available through your school guidance counselor for students from low-income families.
College Planning for Massachusetts Pre-Health Students
Massachusetts students have outstanding in-state college options. UMass Amherst is the flagship campus with strong pre-med advising, research labs, and an honors college. UMass Boston, UMass Lowell, UMass Dartmouth offer affordable pre-health education with growing research infrastructure. State universities (Bridgewater State, Framingham State, Salem State, Westfield State, and others) provide affordable options with health science and pre-health programs. Massachusetts community colleges offer two-year programs that lead to transfer to four-year institutions.
Massachusetts private universities are among the finest in the world for pre-health education: Harvard, MIT, Tufts, Boston University, Northeastern, Boston College, Brandeis, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, College of the Holy Cross, Amherst College, Williams College, and many others offer exceptional pre-med programs. While sticker prices are high, need-based financial aid at selective private institutions can make them surprisingly affordable. Harvard, MIT, Amherst, and Williams, for example, meet 100 percent of demonstrated financial need.
Massachusetts financial aid: The MassGrant provides need-based grants to Massachusetts residents attending Massachusetts colleges. The MASSTransfer program facilitates transfer from community colleges to four-year state institutions. The NEBHE Tuition Break allows MA residents to attend public colleges in other New England states at reduced tuition for programs not available at Massachusetts public institutions. Visit mass.edu for state financial aid details and nebhe.org/tuitionbreak for Tuition Break programs. See our Choosing a Pre-Med College page and Financial Aid Basics page.
BS/MD Programs
Massachusetts is home to or near several BS/MD programs (combined undergraduate and medical school programs). Boston University offers a seven-year BA/MD program. Tufts University, in collaboration with Maine Medical Center, has offered early assurance pathways. UMass Chan Medical School has partnership programs with some Massachusetts undergraduate institutions. These programs are extremely competitive and typically require outstanding academic credentials, clinical experience, and compelling essays. The concentration of medical schools in the Boston area also means that Massachusetts students have easy access to medical school open houses, information sessions, and campus visits throughout the application process. See our BS/MD Programs page.
Building Your College Application
Massachusetts students benefit from the state’s strong academic reputation when applying to colleges nationally. Massachusetts high schools are generally well-regarded by admissions committees, and the state’s rigorous educational standards mean that strong performance in a Massachusetts high school curriculum signals academic readiness. Beyond academics, build a profile that includes clinical experience (hospital volunteering, EMT when eligible), research or academic competition (science fair, Science Olympiad, HOSA®), community service, and leadership. See our College Application Guide, Personal Statement Basics, and Letters of Recommendation pages for detailed guidance.
Massachusetts is also home to or near multiple BS/MD programs and early assurance pathways. The concentration of medical schools in Boston means that admissions representatives are accessible at local events, open houses, and information sessions throughout the year, an advantage that students in states without medical schools cannot easily replicate. Use this proximity to attend events, ask questions, and demonstrate your interest in medicine to the schools that interest you. Building familiarity with specific programs helps you write more compelling secondary essays and perform better in interviews.
For students considering the financial dimension of college choice, remember that you will likely face substantial tuition costs for medical school, PA school, or another professional program after your bachelor’s degree. Minimizing undergraduate debt through MassGrant, NEBHE Tuition Break, institutional scholarships, and the affordable tuition at UMass campuses is a financially wise strategy. A student who graduates from UMass Amherst with minimal debt and a strong GPA, MCAT® score, and clinical/research profile is in a better overall position than a student who attends an expensive private university, accumulates $100,000+ in undergraduate debt, and then faces another $200,000+ in medical school loans. See our Medical School Debt page and Loan Forgiveness page.
References
Massachusetts DESE. “Graduation Requirements.” DESE, 2025. https://www.doe.mass.edu/. Accessed March 2026.
Massachusetts DHE. “Financial Aid.” Mass.edu, 2025. https://www.mass.edu/. Accessed March 2026.
NEBHE. “Tuition Break.” NEBHE, 2025. https://www.nebhe.org/tuitionbreak/. Accessed March 2026.
Khan Academy. “SAT Prep.” Khan Academy, 2025. https://www.khanacademy.org/sat. Accessed March 2026.