4 answers
Paola
Student
Santa Clarita, California
2
Questions
Asked
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What are some things I can do now to later be in the field of medicine, more specifically pediatrics?
I'm a very hard worker and like to set goals for myself. Helping people is something I do best. #doctor #medical #medicine #healthcare #premed
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4 answers
Andrew S.
Chief Scientific Officer
14
Answers
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Updated
Andrew’s Answer
That is a great goal! I suggest you do the following:
1) Do well in school. Getting into med school is very competitive, so work hard.
2) Take science and math classes (challenge your self).
3) Shadow and volunteer in medical facilities.
4) Volunteer to work with children. A Ronald Macdonald House and/or a children's hospital would be great if available.
5) If there are programs for you to mentor a young person, that would be good.
1) Do well in school. Getting into med school is very competitive, so work hard.
2) Take science and math classes (challenge your self).
3) Shadow and volunteer in medical facilities.
4) Volunteer to work with children. A Ronald Macdonald House and/or a children's hospital would be great if available.
5) If there are programs for you to mentor a young person, that would be good.
Kei Mercado
53
Answers
Updated
Kei’s Answer
HI Paola, here are some of the things you can do now.
1. Find clubs or communities and engage in volunteer jobs supporting children.
2. Study hard and get good GPAs.
3. Research on what medical field you want to pursue.
4. If you know any pediatricians, scheduling a shadow schedule with them will help you understand what they do and make you assess if that is what you see yourself doing in the future.
5. Find people you trust who can provide guidance on what you want to be - it can be your parents, friends, teachers or other family members
Good luck!
1. Find clubs or communities and engage in volunteer jobs supporting children.
2. Study hard and get good GPAs.
3. Research on what medical field you want to pursue.
4. If you know any pediatricians, scheduling a shadow schedule with them will help you understand what they do and make you assess if that is what you see yourself doing in the future.
5. Find people you trust who can provide guidance on what you want to be - it can be your parents, friends, teachers or other family members
Good luck!
Richard A.
physician
2150
Answers
Updated
Richard’s Answer
Take as many AP or IB courses in high school. You have a lot of years of education in front of you and getting college credit in high school can save you time and money.
In the US, to apply to medical school, you need a bachelor's degree. Any 4-year university should suffice.
Pick a major that interests you so you don't mind devoting a majority of your hours to studying. 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
Try to find opportunities to pursue research.
Volunteer at your local hospital or low-income clinic. Ask physicians, PAs or other clinical providers if you can shadow them.
During college study for and complete the MCAT. Devote an entire summer to studying for the MCAT and consider paying for a prep course if you can afford it.
My son used MCAT Complete 7-Book Subject Review 2019-2020: Online + Book + 3 Practice Tests (Kaplan Test Prep) Kaplan Test Prep
Kaplan Test Prep
Sold by: Amazon.com Services, Inc
It was about $140 and he achieved his goal score.
In the US, to apply to medical school, you need a bachelor's degree. Any 4-year university should suffice.
Pick a major that interests you so you don't mind devoting a majority of your hours to studying. 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
Try to find opportunities to pursue research.
Volunteer at your local hospital or low-income clinic. Ask physicians, PAs or other clinical providers if you can shadow them.
During college study for and complete the MCAT. Devote an entire summer to studying for the MCAT and consider paying for a prep course if you can afford it.
My son used MCAT Complete 7-Book Subject Review 2019-2020: Online + Book + 3 Practice Tests (Kaplan Test Prep) Kaplan Test Prep
Kaplan Test Prep
Sold by: Amazon.com Services, Inc
It was about $140 and he achieved his goal score.
Jennifer Yoder
Clinical Applications Specialist, RCS, RVT
1
Answer
Fredericksburg, Ohio
Updated
Jennifer’s Answer
Hi Paola,
Volunteer. I understand that it is currently very hard to do any type of volunteer work in the clinical setting. However, once it settles down, do your best to try to find a way. You could also see if there are any shadowing opportunities available. I am a Cardiac Sonographer and Vascular Sonographer. When I was working in the clinical setting, we allowed students to shadow us and see exactly what we did on a day to day basis. As a Cardiac Sonographer, you can specialize in pediatrics. Not many people know exactly what our field involves, but it is a very rewarding career. You can truly make a difference in some ones life. Good luck and I encourage you to explore the many healthcare jobs there are. sonography
Volunteer. I understand that it is currently very hard to do any type of volunteer work in the clinical setting. However, once it settles down, do your best to try to find a way. You could also see if there are any shadowing opportunities available. I am a Cardiac Sonographer and Vascular Sonographer. When I was working in the clinical setting, we allowed students to shadow us and see exactly what we did on a day to day basis. As a Cardiac Sonographer, you can specialize in pediatrics. Not many people know exactly what our field involves, but it is a very rewarding career. You can truly make a difference in some ones life. Good luck and I encourage you to explore the many healthcare jobs there are. sonography