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What are the steps and goals to achieve the dream of becoming a doctor as an aspiring student?
I'm a class 11 student.I passionately took science as my major stream to achieve my goal of becoming a doctor(cardiologist). #doctor #student
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2 answers
Updated
Estelle’s Answer
Hi, Kirthika,
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.
Apply to medical schools during your last year of college.
Medical school takes 4 years to complete.
After medical school physicians complete a residency for additional training. These can last 3-6 years and are sometimes followed by an additional year or two of fellowship subspecialty training.
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.
Apply to medical schools during your last year of college.
Medical school takes 4 years to complete.
After medical school physicians complete a residency for additional training. These can last 3-6 years and are sometimes followed by an additional year or two of fellowship subspecialty training.
Thanks a lot mam..
You're a great gynaecologist I assure mam.Because as a doctor you're doing a selfless service and are truly helding up your service in all possible ways by suggesting such great advices and tips for aspiring students mam..I really can't thank you enough mam..you're one of my motivators now mam...will never forget you in my life mam
Kirthika
Updated
Sundar Rajan’s Answer
Kirthika,
Nice that you seem to know where you are headed.
1. Voraciously read. Be curious. Explore science - Not just Biology. But Chemistry, Math and physics as well at this stage. Focus heavily on STEM subjects, projects, journels.
2. Keep yourself informed about latest developments, vaccines, diseases and such that affect our world and see how much you can make sense of it. Its ok not to understand everything. Get an idea. Curiosity is important.
3. Try to volunteer in old age home, clinic/hospitals, shadow doctors if you can get access to them. Seeing what it means to do service hands on yourself will help reassure your commitment to this line.
4. Keep in mind that Medicine is a very nobel profession as you touch lives. Would you ever go to a bad doctor ? Surely not! You want to treat others how you would like to be treated yourself! So, this profession calls for commitment and dedication.
5. You are in 11th. There is a chance that your interests may change/evolve. Its ok. Allow yourself to explore. Learning is key.
6. Try articulating why you want to be in this service. Imagine yourself 15 years from now where you see yourself to be and the kind of life and living you want to lead. Do some searching and find out why this motivates you to pursue ? Why Cardiology ? Why not something else ? Is there some incident in your life that makes you lean towards doing and learning in that arena ? Challenge yourself. This will help you not only in decision making down the line but also prepare your for medical interviews and admissions when you will be clear and would have articulated thoughts quite well by then.
7. Be prepared to spend long hours and days studying. Basic MD is a start. But then there is residency, specialization, super specialization and so on which spans at least 10 years. It will be worth the ride as the real benefit will take a bit longer than what your peers/those pursuing engineering and other fields may see! But thats ok. You should be prepared to chase your goals no matter what others say/do.
8. Lastly, never give up. Go for the full ride and no turning back.
Best wishes for a great medical career!
Nice that you seem to know where you are headed.
1. Voraciously read. Be curious. Explore science - Not just Biology. But Chemistry, Math and physics as well at this stage. Focus heavily on STEM subjects, projects, journels.
2. Keep yourself informed about latest developments, vaccines, diseases and such that affect our world and see how much you can make sense of it. Its ok not to understand everything. Get an idea. Curiosity is important.
3. Try to volunteer in old age home, clinic/hospitals, shadow doctors if you can get access to them. Seeing what it means to do service hands on yourself will help reassure your commitment to this line.
4. Keep in mind that Medicine is a very nobel profession as you touch lives. Would you ever go to a bad doctor ? Surely not! You want to treat others how you would like to be treated yourself! So, this profession calls for commitment and dedication.
5. You are in 11th. There is a chance that your interests may change/evolve. Its ok. Allow yourself to explore. Learning is key.
6. Try articulating why you want to be in this service. Imagine yourself 15 years from now where you see yourself to be and the kind of life and living you want to lead. Do some searching and find out why this motivates you to pursue ? Why Cardiology ? Why not something else ? Is there some incident in your life that makes you lean towards doing and learning in that arena ? Challenge yourself. This will help you not only in decision making down the line but also prepare your for medical interviews and admissions when you will be clear and would have articulated thoughts quite well by then.
7. Be prepared to spend long hours and days studying. Basic MD is a start. But then there is residency, specialization, super specialization and so on which spans at least 10 years. It will be worth the ride as the real benefit will take a bit longer than what your peers/those pursuing engineering and other fields may see! But thats ok. You should be prepared to chase your goals no matter what others say/do.
8. Lastly, never give up. Go for the full ride and no turning back.
Best wishes for a great medical career!
Thanks a lot Sir.
Found your answer really strongly motivating and positive..I can't really thank you enough sir...now you're one of my motivators sir..your words are really great sir ...
Kirthika