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College courses to become a cardiologist??
My parents urge me to become a doctor, or more specifically a cardiologist. What courses am I supposed to take once I get in college to follow that path? Is it different than other kinds of doctors? #college #college-major #doctor
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Estelle’s Answer
To become a cardiologist, you need to complete a four-year college degree, four years of medical school, three years of internal medicine residency, and three years of cardiology fellowship. It is a tough and long road; however, I know several cardiologists who are very satisfied with their careers. If you were still in high school, I would focus on getting good grades, and getting into a college that you feel that you will succeed. During college, you need to fulfill your pre-medical requirements including general chemistry, physics, organic chemistry, biology, biochemistry, statistics, and calculus. Any degree that allows you to fulfill these requirements will work. Focus on getting a degree that allows you to pursue your interests/passion or help you to build skills that you will find helpful in the future. Best of luck to you during your journey to becoming a physician.
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Kimberly’s Answer
Dr. Estelle hit the essential points but I wanted to add some additional details. As she suggested, pre-med is not a college major. It refers to the classes that she mentioned which can lead to a major in one of those departments (biology, chemistry, physics). The point of pre-med courses is that they prepare you to take the MCAT, the entrance exam for medical school. A pre-med course of study can also be paired with something outside the sciences such as English Literature, History, etc. As she suggested, your major should be something you love studying.
Studying a subject you enjoy is the best way for your classes to stay interesting and make it easier to be successful. Your degree/major should also give you skills that can support you in your career as a physician. Often majors in the social sciences sharpen your communication skills so you become adept at writing and speaking succinctly and clearly. As a doctor, you will need to be able to explain complex conditions to patients who might have a limited understanding of their own diagnosis. An effective doctor needs to explain a difficult diagnosis and coach patients into how to best take care of themselves.
Whatever your college major, you need to do very well in those classes as well as your pre-med requirements. Medical school is very competitive as is obtaining a residency after medical school. You need to excel every step of the way.
You should also be certain becoming a doctor is what you want to do, beyond what your parents want for you. I know they have your best interests at heart, but often parents push their children to become doctors because they believe it is a financially rewarding and highly respected profession. However, the practice of medicine is shifting It may not always be as well paid as it is now, and demands on doctors from hospitals and insurance companies will continue to increase. Given how long becoming a doctor takes, it's not a decision to take lightly. You need to be confident that taking care of sick people is something you really want to do, regardless of how much money you will earn.
If you are not sure what you want to do, starting in a pre-med program can make good sense. After all, you have to start somewhere. As you get deeper into your classes and look for internships or job opportunities in health care system, you will learn a lot of important information about becoming a doctor and about yourself. You will gain clarity about what you want going forward. It may be becoming a physician, but there are many other opportunities, in and outside of healthcare, to explore.
Do as well as you can in your high school and college classes.
Explore jobs or volunteer opportunities in health care. If you are in high school, many hospitals have volunteer programs for high school students. Look on hospital websites to see what you can find. It is also possible to become a certified nursing assistant without a high school diploma. Being a CNA will give you the opportunity to work in a hospital, work directly with patients, and watch doctors do what they do. Chekc out your local communty college for CNA certification programs. These are also available at small for-profit programs and. typically, are pretty affordable. CNAs are paid very little, but that kind of job experience would help you understand if you really want to become a doctor.
Find out what cardiologists and other medical specialists do. I am not a physician, but I can tell you that the bulk of a cardiologists' practice is working with the elderly, many of whom have cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, or diabetes. All of these conditions need extra care and attention as people age. Ask every doctor and nurse you meet what they do and what they love about their jobs. You will learn a great deal about the energy and passion it takes to be a good doctor or nurse.
Finally, as you explore you college options, try to ask specific questions about how the pre-med program works at any school you are considering. While the course trajectory is pretty standard, many colleges have a lot of support for students that are pursuing medical school. Others see it as a weeding process to discourage students who are not really serious about that pursuit. If you enjoy and are interested in the sciences (whether you want to major in one) you will be fine.
Studying a subject you enjoy is the best way for your classes to stay interesting and make it easier to be successful. Your degree/major should also give you skills that can support you in your career as a physician. Often majors in the social sciences sharpen your communication skills so you become adept at writing and speaking succinctly and clearly. As a doctor, you will need to be able to explain complex conditions to patients who might have a limited understanding of their own diagnosis. An effective doctor needs to explain a difficult diagnosis and coach patients into how to best take care of themselves.
Whatever your college major, you need to do very well in those classes as well as your pre-med requirements. Medical school is very competitive as is obtaining a residency after medical school. You need to excel every step of the way.
You should also be certain becoming a doctor is what you want to do, beyond what your parents want for you. I know they have your best interests at heart, but often parents push their children to become doctors because they believe it is a financially rewarding and highly respected profession. However, the practice of medicine is shifting It may not always be as well paid as it is now, and demands on doctors from hospitals and insurance companies will continue to increase. Given how long becoming a doctor takes, it's not a decision to take lightly. You need to be confident that taking care of sick people is something you really want to do, regardless of how much money you will earn.
If you are not sure what you want to do, starting in a pre-med program can make good sense. After all, you have to start somewhere. As you get deeper into your classes and look for internships or job opportunities in health care system, you will learn a lot of important information about becoming a doctor and about yourself. You will gain clarity about what you want going forward. It may be becoming a physician, but there are many other opportunities, in and outside of healthcare, to explore.
Kimberly recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Richard’s Answer
In the US, to apply to medical school, you need a bachelor's degree. Any 4-year university should suffice.
Pick a college that suits your personality and a major that interests you. You will need to get good grades in college in order to apply for medical school. At the medical school I attended, the average GPA is reported to be 3.85, so even one or two B's can hurt your chances of acceptance.
Aside from this, any major is acceptable as long as you complete the prerequisite courses.
Typical medical school prerequisites include:
Biology: Lecture – 4 semesters; Lab – 1 semester
General Chemistry: Lecture – 2 semesters; Lab – 1 semester
Organic Chemistry: Lecture – 2 semesters; Lab – 1 semester
Biochemistry: Lecture – 1 semester
General Physics: Lecture – 2 semesters; Lab – 1 semester
Math: Statistics – 1 semester
English: Rhetoric (Composition) and Literature – 2 semesters
During college study for and complete the MCAT. Apply to medical schools during your last year of college.
Medical school takes 4 years to complete.
After medical school physicians complete a 3-year internal medicine residency followed by 3 year cardiology fellowship.
Pick a college that suits your personality and a major that interests you. You will need to get good grades in college in order to apply for medical school. At the medical school I attended, the average GPA is reported to be 3.85, so even one or two B's can hurt your chances of acceptance.
Aside from this, any major is acceptable as long as you complete the prerequisite courses.
Typical medical school prerequisites include:
Biology: Lecture – 4 semesters; Lab – 1 semester
General Chemistry: Lecture – 2 semesters; Lab – 1 semester
Organic Chemistry: Lecture – 2 semesters; Lab – 1 semester
Biochemistry: Lecture – 1 semester
General Physics: Lecture – 2 semesters; Lab – 1 semester
Math: Statistics – 1 semester
English: Rhetoric (Composition) and Literature – 2 semesters
During college study for and complete the MCAT. Apply to medical schools during your last year of college.
Medical school takes 4 years to complete.
After medical school physicians complete a 3-year internal medicine residency followed by 3 year cardiology fellowship.
Updated
Cheryl’s Answer
There are basically a handful of steps to becoming a cardiologist, but keep in mind there are many jobs related to cardiology, not just MD or surgeon. I have attached a link that will show you the many possibilities/paths to working in cardiology.
https://www.thebalancecareers.com/cardiology-jobs-overview-1736145
Steps to be a cardiologist: NOT as easy as it looks!
1) Bachelor's Degree- usually a science discipline for major
2.) Pass the MCAT (medical test)
3.) Medical School
4.) Medical License
5.) Residency
6.) Fellowship
https://www.thebalancecareers.com/cardiology-jobs-overview-1736145
Steps to be a cardiologist: NOT as easy as it looks!
1) Bachelor's Degree- usually a science discipline for major
2.) Pass the MCAT (medical test)
3.) Medical School
4.) Medical License
5.) Residency
6.) Fellowship