2 answers
2 answers
Updated
Karen’s Answer
Hi BreAnna:
Full disclosure, I am not a doctor but I am a health professional. For starters, I would suggest that you'll want to get good grades throughout high school. Take advanced math and science courses and make sure that you enjoy and do well in them. Choose a school that has a good pre-med program. If you are sure that you want to go into medicine, then look closely at the course requirements and enroll in the required courses beginning in your freshman year. If you don't, it may be hard to get onto a "pre-med" track later. If you decide to pursue medicine, you'll need to take the MCAT exam for admission to medical school. In my case, I did all of the above (majored in health sciences, took the MCAT) and then decided to go a different route (I got my master's degree in Public Health). Life is full of twists and turns, and your plans may change, but taking the right steps will help you to determine if medicine is the right career for you, and set you up for success. Good Luck!
Full disclosure, I am not a doctor but I am a health professional. For starters, I would suggest that you'll want to get good grades throughout high school. Take advanced math and science courses and make sure that you enjoy and do well in them. Choose a school that has a good pre-med program. If you are sure that you want to go into medicine, then look closely at the course requirements and enroll in the required courses beginning in your freshman year. If you don't, it may be hard to get onto a "pre-med" track later. If you decide to pursue medicine, you'll need to take the MCAT exam for admission to medical school. In my case, I did all of the above (majored in health sciences, took the MCAT) and then decided to go a different route (I got my master's degree in Public Health). Life is full of twists and turns, and your plans may change, but taking the right steps will help you to determine if medicine is the right career for you, and set you up for success. Good Luck!
Updated
Erin’s Answer
1. Make very good grades in junior high and high school. Take as many science classes as you can. Learn good study habits and test taking skills.
2. Get good scores on college entrance exams.
3. Go to college and get the best grades you can.
4. Volunteer in hospitals or clinics and talk t as many doctors as you can to learn about the job and the challenges they face to be sure the job is for you.
5. Read articles about healthcare.
6. Take a prep course and then take the MCAT. Apply to medical schools and then interview for entrance.
7. If accepted you start medical school. Study there and get the best grades you can, do well on board exams and apply to residency programs.
8. Interview for residency programs and rank them by where you would like to attend. You will find out on "Match Day" where you have been accepted.
9. Attend residency. If you want to subspecialize you will apply and attend a fellowship.
10. Take your board exam and get your first job as an attending physician. You will still continue to take board exams in the future and study to stay current in your field. Medicine requires a life-long committment to learn. You must genuinely love reading, learning and taking tests to do well.
2. Get good scores on college entrance exams.
3. Go to college and get the best grades you can.
4. Volunteer in hospitals or clinics and talk t as many doctors as you can to learn about the job and the challenges they face to be sure the job is for you.
5. Read articles about healthcare.
6. Take a prep course and then take the MCAT. Apply to medical schools and then interview for entrance.
7. If accepted you start medical school. Study there and get the best grades you can, do well on board exams and apply to residency programs.
8. Interview for residency programs and rank them by where you would like to attend. You will find out on "Match Day" where you have been accepted.
9. Attend residency. If you want to subspecialize you will apply and attend a fellowship.
10. Take your board exam and get your first job as an attending physician. You will still continue to take board exams in the future and study to stay current in your field. Medicine requires a life-long committment to learn. You must genuinely love reading, learning and taking tests to do well.