What is it like to try and become a doctor? Is it stressful, do you have to go to school for a long time?

I have several friends who became doctors, and looking at it from the outside, yes, it is a very long and stressful process over which you have very little control. First is the pre-med, which is basically a bachelor's degree in something like biology, chemistry, nursing, etc. Then the application process to med schools, which requires lots of essays about how awesome you are. I know one person for whom this took 5 years or so, but that's unusual. Once you get in, there's the 4 year MD program, which gets more and more stressful and sleep-deprived as you go on. Then the optional-but-recommended internships, specialty programs, and so on that can take another 4-6 years. Add in 2-5 years of residency before you become an attending physician. So it's a 12-15 year process. And in several steps along the way, there are applications and hoping to get accepted, or "matched", with you not really controlling where you go next.

As an example, a friend of mine is an OB/GYN specializing in problem pregnancies. She took about 17 years to do all of the above stuff, if I remember correctly, and is now in a very high-stress job. But every day she's saving the lives of mothers and babies, so it's rewarding as well. Being a doctor is not for the faint of heart, or those with weak stomachs, but there's definitely a strong need!

It depends upon the reason for becoming a physician and expectations from this profession.

I will lay out few things.
1. It is not a noble profession anymore. It is all about business just like any industry..after all you have to pay off your debt and then pay your overhead expenses..
2.there is a difinite reward and appreciation from patients and family..and there are headaches as well..
3.depending upon which speciality you chose../..eg dermatology...the most difficult to get in...because it is most lucrative one... pediatric, neurology psychiatry on the other hand...too much stress, too many complaints and no appreciation... surgery and medicine ( all branches) are still most satisfying ones except oncology where you have to deal with dying patient and family, counsel them etc..
4.unless you lose your license due to serious neglect on your part...you will never be unemployed...money and job security is highest in medical profession.
5. if you want to move at any point...it is much easier with this degree...

hope it helped.