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Catherine
Student
Garden Grove, California
2
Questions
Asked
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what is the bs/md program
I am interested in the route of becoming a doctor right after high school, since it will save time and money, without requiring an MCAT. What are the differences between #hospital-and-health-care #healthcare #medical #medicine #doctor this versus the traditional route and is it easier or harder? Is it recommended and what type of doctor will you become after.
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5 answers
Dan Nguyen, DO
Psychiatrist
104
Answers
Phoenix, Arizona
Updated
Dan’s Answer
I do not know of any program that allows a straight admission after high school. I would say the BS/MD track overall is harder compared to the traditional track due to several factors. There are not many schools that offer this compared to regular physician tracks. The competition is very high for any pre-med student but is even higher for these advanced tracks. A lot of these schools require you to apply your senior year of high school, which is a very young age in my opinion in knowing what it is you want to do. Everything is accelerated in these tracks, hence if you're not ready you may be dropped from the program. Some schools still require a MCAT score prior to matriculation into the MD program.
From a holistic view, doing the traditional path -- which I may be a bit biased on since I took this path -- allows you more time to grow as a person. College is a unique environment where you're not quite an adult yet you are. This gives you time to discover yourself and learn more about life by meeting people from all walks as well as taking classes from a variety of subjects. It also gives you two extra years to perfect your craft of "academia".
As Mr. Frick noted above, medicine requires a lot of sacrifices physically and emotionally. The extra time in undergrad allows you to grow in order to handle medicine.
Ultimately it is up to you. Either path, as long as you do well in medical school, you can become any kind of physician you want.
Best of Luck.
From a holistic view, doing the traditional path -- which I may be a bit biased on since I took this path -- allows you more time to grow as a person. College is a unique environment where you're not quite an adult yet you are. This gives you time to discover yourself and learn more about life by meeting people from all walks as well as taking classes from a variety of subjects. It also gives you two extra years to perfect your craft of "academia".
As Mr. Frick noted above, medicine requires a lot of sacrifices physically and emotionally. The extra time in undergrad allows you to grow in order to handle medicine.
Ultimately it is up to you. Either path, as long as you do well in medical school, you can become any kind of physician you want.
Best of Luck.
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1616
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
Catherine if your interested in becoming physician, you need to ask yourself if you are ready for the physical endurance, mental strength and emotional commitment to complete such a long and expensive program.
MEDICAL DOCTORS EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS – Becoming a medical doctor requires a minimum of 12 years of education – 4-year bachelor's degree, 4-years of medical school, a 1-year hospital internship and 3-years of residency training. They can specialize in a number of medical areas, such as pediatrics, anesthesiology or cardiology, or they can work as general practice physicians. Becoming a medical doctor requires earning a doctoral degree in medicine and participating in clinical rotations. It's also common for medical school graduates to enroll in a residency program to study a specialty. Medical doctors need state licensure, and certification may also be required for some specialists.
FIVE STEPS TO BECOMING A DOCTOR
STEP 1.) EARN A BACHELOR'S DEGREE – A bachelor's degree is required to get into medical school. Medical schools seek applicants who have a broad educational background, a solid foundation in the natural sciences, and experience in healthcare settings. While a specific major is not required, all medical school applicants need to complete undergraduate coursework in biology, physics, chemistry, and mathematics. Catherine you can gain healthcare experience while in school by volunteering in hospitals, clinics, or other healthcare environments. This is a good way for you to make sure they want to become doctors before committing to medical school.
STEP 2.) TAKING THE MEDICAL ADMISSIONS TEST – After completing your bachelor's degree, you will have to take the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT). These performance scores are required by almost all medical schools in the nation. No matter how the medical school admissions landscape has changed over the years, one thing has remained constant: GPA and MCAT score are the foundation of every application. Catherine make sure you check with each of the medical schools admissions requirements if the MCAT is need to get into your top-choice programs.
STEP 3.) EARN YOUR MEDICAL DEGREE – Medical school programs generally last four years. The first two years usually entail classroom and laboratory work, while the last two years allow students to work directly with patients under the supervision of experienced doctors. Medical school coursework generally covers topics in pharmacology, pathology, anatomy and physiology, and biochemistry. You'll also study the practice of medicine and legal issues related to healthcare. The clinical experiences that students participate in (usually in their third year) cover a variety of specialty areas, including neurology, radiology, and medicine. The clinical experiences also give you a chance to find out what type of residency you would prefer to pursue after graduation.
STEP 4.) COMPLETE YOUR RESIDENCY – After graduating from medical school, you'll start a residency program. Residency programs offer aspiring doctors the opportunity to work directly with patients in a specialty area of medicine. Some specialty areas include internal medicine, pediatrics, emergency medicine, psychiatry, and anesthesiology. Residents may be responsible for a number of patient care activities, including developing problem lists, performing physical exams, and compiling medical histories. Depending on the specialty area, a residency can last anywhere from three to seven years. Most residents usually complete their programs in hospitals.
STEP 5.) OBTAIN YOUR STATE LICENSE – Becoming a physician requires licensing in all states prior to being able to practice medicine. Graduation from an accredited medical school is required before qualifying for licensure. Candidates must also complete a residency training program and pass exams. Licenses must be renewed periodically. Doctors applying for license renewal must typically complete a minimum number of hours in continuing education before taking the renewal exam. Each state has different licensing requirements, so it may be beneficial to learn what Californias is as soon as possible.
PRIVATE PRACTICE VS HOSPITAL HEALTHCARE PRACTITIONER – Today, more healthcare practitioners than ever before are working as employees in a hospital setting. Working in a hospital provides a lot of benefits that cannot be found in private practice:
• Salaries are virtually guaranteed
• Physicians are not responsible for daily operations, administrative tasks, billing, or human resources.
• Incomes can be significantly higher than what you might make in private practice.
So why doesn’t everyone work in a hospital setting? Because private practice has its advantages too.
• Policies are set by you, not by your hospital employer.
• Your income is based on how hard you work, not on what someone else decides to pay you.
• You don’t have to worry about constantly changing hospital polices.
SALARY INFORMATION – Keep in mind Catherine, that the bigger and steadier paycheck comes with sacrifices, just as the freedom of private practices comes with its own set of challenges. Only you can decide which type of practice is right for you.
PEDIATRICIAN – Median annual salary of $200,000
NEUROLOGIST – Median annual salary of $256,000
DERMATOLOGIST –Median annual salary of $346,000
ANESTHESIOLOGIST – Median annual salary of $388,000
Hope this was Helpful Catherine
MEDICAL DOCTORS EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS – Becoming a medical doctor requires a minimum of 12 years of education – 4-year bachelor's degree, 4-years of medical school, a 1-year hospital internship and 3-years of residency training. They can specialize in a number of medical areas, such as pediatrics, anesthesiology or cardiology, or they can work as general practice physicians. Becoming a medical doctor requires earning a doctoral degree in medicine and participating in clinical rotations. It's also common for medical school graduates to enroll in a residency program to study a specialty. Medical doctors need state licensure, and certification may also be required for some specialists.
FIVE STEPS TO BECOMING A DOCTOR
STEP 1.) EARN A BACHELOR'S DEGREE – A bachelor's degree is required to get into medical school. Medical schools seek applicants who have a broad educational background, a solid foundation in the natural sciences, and experience in healthcare settings. While a specific major is not required, all medical school applicants need to complete undergraduate coursework in biology, physics, chemistry, and mathematics. Catherine you can gain healthcare experience while in school by volunteering in hospitals, clinics, or other healthcare environments. This is a good way for you to make sure they want to become doctors before committing to medical school.
STEP 2.) TAKING THE MEDICAL ADMISSIONS TEST – After completing your bachelor's degree, you will have to take the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT). These performance scores are required by almost all medical schools in the nation. No matter how the medical school admissions landscape has changed over the years, one thing has remained constant: GPA and MCAT score are the foundation of every application. Catherine make sure you check with each of the medical schools admissions requirements if the MCAT is need to get into your top-choice programs.
STEP 3.) EARN YOUR MEDICAL DEGREE – Medical school programs generally last four years. The first two years usually entail classroom and laboratory work, while the last two years allow students to work directly with patients under the supervision of experienced doctors. Medical school coursework generally covers topics in pharmacology, pathology, anatomy and physiology, and biochemistry. You'll also study the practice of medicine and legal issues related to healthcare. The clinical experiences that students participate in (usually in their third year) cover a variety of specialty areas, including neurology, radiology, and medicine. The clinical experiences also give you a chance to find out what type of residency you would prefer to pursue after graduation.
STEP 4.) COMPLETE YOUR RESIDENCY – After graduating from medical school, you'll start a residency program. Residency programs offer aspiring doctors the opportunity to work directly with patients in a specialty area of medicine. Some specialty areas include internal medicine, pediatrics, emergency medicine, psychiatry, and anesthesiology. Residents may be responsible for a number of patient care activities, including developing problem lists, performing physical exams, and compiling medical histories. Depending on the specialty area, a residency can last anywhere from three to seven years. Most residents usually complete their programs in hospitals.
STEP 5.) OBTAIN YOUR STATE LICENSE – Becoming a physician requires licensing in all states prior to being able to practice medicine. Graduation from an accredited medical school is required before qualifying for licensure. Candidates must also complete a residency training program and pass exams. Licenses must be renewed periodically. Doctors applying for license renewal must typically complete a minimum number of hours in continuing education before taking the renewal exam. Each state has different licensing requirements, so it may be beneficial to learn what Californias is as soon as possible.
PRIVATE PRACTICE VS HOSPITAL HEALTHCARE PRACTITIONER – Today, more healthcare practitioners than ever before are working as employees in a hospital setting. Working in a hospital provides a lot of benefits that cannot be found in private practice:
• Salaries are virtually guaranteed
• Physicians are not responsible for daily operations, administrative tasks, billing, or human resources.
• Incomes can be significantly higher than what you might make in private practice.
So why doesn’t everyone work in a hospital setting? Because private practice has its advantages too.
• Policies are set by you, not by your hospital employer.
• Your income is based on how hard you work, not on what someone else decides to pay you.
• You don’t have to worry about constantly changing hospital polices.
SALARY INFORMATION – Keep in mind Catherine, that the bigger and steadier paycheck comes with sacrifices, just as the freedom of private practices comes with its own set of challenges. Only you can decide which type of practice is right for you.
PEDIATRICIAN – Median annual salary of $200,000
NEUROLOGIST – Median annual salary of $256,000
DERMATOLOGIST –Median annual salary of $346,000
ANESTHESIOLOGIST – Median annual salary of $388,000
Hope this was Helpful Catherine
Richard A.
physician
2150
Answers
Updated
Richard’s Answer
The BS/MD programs that my children and I have researched do not save time. They still last 8 years (4 years of college followed by 4 years of medical school). They are highly competitive. They do have the advantage of certainty. I know that throughout my college career I had the stress of not knowing whether I would be accepted to medical school, so doing a combined program would have been great for that reason.
Yasemin G.
Aspiring physician
635
Answers
Updated
Yasemin’s Answer
Hi Catherine! I agree with the responses listed, I also don't think it saves you too much time, maybe a year earlier? I believe that even with such a program you will still need to take the MCAT. Also yes these programs are very accelerated and can be stressful because you must maintain a high GPA. I remember my classmate explaining it to me in college that you cannot obtain anything less than a B-. I definitely do agree with Dan, on how you can grow as a person while pursuing the medical field. I am too in the traditional route as well, and I think I have grown and matured so much as a person throughout the past few years. Once again it is up to you of course, but definitely research about such opportunities, I believe that if you are a hardworking student even without such a program you will achieve your goals!
Best of luck!
Best of luck!
Estelle Archer
Gynecologist
1321
Answers
United States
Updated
Estelle’s Answer
The BS /MCAT programs that I am familiar with are very competitive. They take away the stress of taking the MCAT, but you are definitely locked into that program. I do not believe that they reduce the time commitment, however. If you are sure of the college and medical school, it is worth pursuing for the security.