If you’re a premed, chances are you’ve stumbled across premed Reddit. Maybe you searched “how many hours of shadowing do I need” and ended up deep in an r/premed thread. Or maybe you just wanted to see if anyone else felt as stressed as you do. Either way, stepping into that space can feel like opening the door to a room where everyone is shouting advice at once. Some of it is helpful, some terrifying, and much of it is contradictory. It is also difficult to stop scrolling once you start.
When I was a premed, I spent more hours than I’d like to admit scrolling through those forums. Sometimes it was reassuring; other times it left me lying awake at two in the morning, convinced I’d never get into medical school. Now that I’m on the other side, I can tell you: Reddit can be a great resource if you use it wisely, but it can also be a huge source of stress if you don’t. Here’s some guidance for how to get the good without falling into the traps.
What Premed Reddit Does Well
Real-world Advice on Studying and Applications
One of the most useful things I found on Reddit wasn’t a polished “perfect” study plan. It was students sharing what actually worked (or didn’t work) for them. I remember reading a post where someone admitted they couldn’t sit through 10 hours of MCAT prep a day and instead did shorter, focused blocks. That felt doable and gave me permission to adjust my own studying instead of trying to copy unrealistic schedules.
Similarly, threads where people broke down how they balanced secondaries with work or classes gave me practical ideas I could apply to my own timeline. Focus on these creative, helpful tidbits of advice that people share and how you can integrate ideas into your own workflow. It helps to have a specific question in mind when approaching premed Reddit, and look for specific solutions.
Community Support
One of the loneliest parts of being premed is feeling like nobody outside of your bubble really “gets it.” Reddit helped me realize I wasn’t the only one struggling with imposter syndrome or worrying about whether I was “good enough.” Sometimes reading other people’s stories felt like a virtual support group and it was validating to know I wasn’t alone. Chances are, if you have a specific worry or concern, someone on Reddit has explored it.
Crowdsourced Resources
I still remember finding a shared Google spreadsheet with secondary prompts from previous years. It saved me so much time. That’s one of Reddit’s strengths: people are generous about sharing links, guides, and tools you might not discover otherwise.
More Free Premed Resources
Honest stories
I once came across a post from someone who got into medical school on their third application cycle. Reading their story was both sobering and encouraging, and it reminded me that the process isn’t always linear and that setbacks don’t define the end of your journey. Those personal narratives can provide a perspective you won’t always get from advisors, and you can see a world of non-traditional paths to medicine.
Where Things Go Wrong on Premed Reddit
If you walk away from the site feeling worse about yourself every time, that’s a sign to log off.
Reddit ≠ Official Information
One of the traps I fell into was assuming that because so many people on premed Reddit said the same thing, it had to be true. For example, I remember reading a bunch of posts insisting that certain schools “screen out” applicants below a specific MCAT or GPA cutoff. I almost talked myself out of applying to one of my top-choice schools because I didn’t think I’d make their “minimum.” Later, I checked the school’s website and realized they didn’t have any hard cutoffs at all; they reviewed applicants holistically. If I’d trusted Reddit, I might never have applied, and that would have been a huge mistake.
Always go back to primary sources like the AAMC, MSAR, or the schools’ admissions websites. Reddit can give you a sense of what students think is happening, but it’s not an official word on how admissions works.
Comparison Traps
It’s almost impossible not to compare yourself. I remember seeing a post from someone with a 528 MCAT, 4.0 GPA, and three publications and immediately feeling like my application didn’t stand a chance. Looking back, I realize how misleading those posts can be. People highlight their best stats, sometimes exaggerate, and they don’t represent the average applicant.
Negativity Overload
There were nights when I fell down the rabbit hole of reading “failed cycle” posts, convincing myself I was destined for the same fate. It’s important to be aware of how tough the process can be, but too much negativity isn’t helpful. It just ramps up your stress.
“Do I have a chance?” Threads
I’ll admit, I even posted one of these once. The comments ranged from supportive to brutally discouraging. The reality is that strangers on the internet can’t predict your chances. The most useful feedback I got came from mentors and advisors who actually knew me and my story. If you feel like you need honest advice on your application, reach out to those who can speak about you in a holistic way.
Common Reddit Pitfalls
- Taking absolutes as truth. If someone says, “You can’t get in with a C in organic chemistry,” remember that admissions is far more holistic than premed Reddit makes it sound.
- Comparing timelines. I once panicked because I saw people finishing all their secondaries in June, while I was still working on mine in August. Spoiler: I still got in.
- Letting Reddit dictate your confidence. If you walk away from the site feeling worse about yourself every time, that’s a sign to log off.
How to Use Premed Reddit Without Losing Your Mind
- Use it as a supplement, not your main source of information.
- Double-check anything important with official sources.
- Set boundaries on how much time you spend there.
- Focus on your own journey: your experiences, your motivations, your growth.
Final Takeaway
Premed Reddit can be a double-edged sword. When I was applying, it gave me helpful tools and reassurance that I wasn’t alone. But it also fueled my anxiety when I let myself fall into the comparison game.
If you choose to use it, do so carefully. Learn from the resources and community, but don’t let anonymous posts define your self-worth or your future. At the end of the day, your journey to medicine is yours alone, and no subreddit can predict how it will unfold.
No matter where you are in your premed journey, Blueprint MCAT is here to help when you’re ready to take the MCAT. Whether you need the flexibility of a Self-Paced Course, the instruction of a live 515+ Course, or the 1:1 attention of a private MCAT tutor, Blueprint MCAT has the MCAT prep option that works for your learning style!
Get started with a free MCAT diagnostic, one free practice exam, and tons more MCAT prep resources.
