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What steps would you recommend I take in this field
#college-major
#medicine
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RAVI’s Answer
Most medical colleges require an under grad degree with a good GPA (3.5 or more when my daughter applied recently). None of them specified a specific major. However all of them required a minimum course work in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Math. You can major in anything you want but you must take the minimum course work in the above fields.
Having said that it is best to get a major in some Science field. Most major in Bio or Chem.
Work hard to do well in high school (GPA/SAT/ACT etc) get into a good college with good science program to meet the above criteria. Better yet, get into a premed major if one available. But it is not required.
Some colleges offer 8 year or accelerated 7 year Medical seat directly from high school. E.g. Rutgers, Boston university and others. You can check with your guidance councilor and apply for those directly from high school. My daughter got into 7 year med program and that is why I know all these!
Once you are a junior year in college take on the MCAT exam for medical college admissions. Do well. Apply for medical colleges. Most medical colleges also do have an interview before they admit on top of MCAT.
Complete the 4 year medical college degree. Apply for residency and complete it to start practicing. Residency is either 3 year or 4 year depending on the specialization you choose.
Wish you the best of luck. You have set the right goals and congratulations on that.
Having said that it is best to get a major in some Science field. Most major in Bio or Chem.
Work hard to do well in high school (GPA/SAT/ACT etc) get into a good college with good science program to meet the above criteria. Better yet, get into a premed major if one available. But it is not required.
Some colleges offer 8 year or accelerated 7 year Medical seat directly from high school. E.g. Rutgers, Boston university and others. You can check with your guidance councilor and apply for those directly from high school. My daughter got into 7 year med program and that is why I know all these!
Once you are a junior year in college take on the MCAT exam for medical college admissions. Do well. Apply for medical colleges. Most medical colleges also do have an interview before they admit on top of MCAT.
Complete the 4 year medical college degree. Apply for residency and complete it to start practicing. Residency is either 3 year or 4 year depending on the specialization you choose.
Wish you the best of luck. You have set the right goals and congratulations on that.
Updated
Matt’s Answer
Hello AnDante,
if it is medicine (Doctor) that you are looking to become, I would recomend looking for schools that offer pre-medicine as a major. Not all schools will offer pre-medicine but that doesnt neccesarily mean you should not go there. If the school you are looking at does not provide pre-medicine as a major, I would recomend majoring in Biology.
If your ultimate goal is to become a Doctor, know that after your bachelors program you will have to apply to Medical School. Medical school will be an additional 4 years (about 2 years of school and 2 years of residentials).
If you are looking to become a nurse, this can be done in 4 years of schooling, maybe less. If nursing was soemthing that interest you, then it would be recomended to find a school that provides Nursing as a program. With nursing, you woul dlijely declare as a nursing student for your first 1-2 years of College and then you would likely have to apply to the Nursing program. If admitted into the Nursing program, it will be able 2 years of school. At the end of this, you will be required to take the NCLEX exam which is typically done right after you graduate from your program.
Hope this helps
if it is medicine (Doctor) that you are looking to become, I would recomend looking for schools that offer pre-medicine as a major. Not all schools will offer pre-medicine but that doesnt neccesarily mean you should not go there. If the school you are looking at does not provide pre-medicine as a major, I would recomend majoring in Biology.
If your ultimate goal is to become a Doctor, know that after your bachelors program you will have to apply to Medical School. Medical school will be an additional 4 years (about 2 years of school and 2 years of residentials).
If you are looking to become a nurse, this can be done in 4 years of schooling, maybe less. If nursing was soemthing that interest you, then it would be recomended to find a school that provides Nursing as a program. With nursing, you woul dlijely declare as a nursing student for your first 1-2 years of College and then you would likely have to apply to the Nursing program. If admitted into the Nursing program, it will be able 2 years of school. At the end of this, you will be required to take the NCLEX exam which is typically done right after you graduate from your program.
Hope this helps
Updated
Christopher’s Answer
I agree with Ravi’s response below. I would just add a few things.
While you can major in a hard science (biology, chemistry, physics, etc.) or pre-med, your undergrad major is really not important as long as you have taken the minimum core science courses (lots of my MD colleagues were majors in areas like history, business, accounting, etc.) and some may argue that it sets you apart and shows you’re well rounded (thus it may help you when applying to med school), I would say the three most critical factors to getting into a good medical school are:
1) excellent GPA (really 3.8 or above is what you should shoot for)
2) excellent MCAT scores (most medical schools publish what the average MCAT scores are of their successful candidates, so look on the websites of a few of your top med schools to get an idea of the kinds of MCAT scores they expect.
3) lots of volunteers experience, ideally in a healthcare setting
Number 3 is critical, as most medical schools are looking for candidates who actually care about and can work with people. It’s not just enough to be smart / academically talented (although that’s definitely also required) but you need to show you are a compassionate and empathetic human being.
In addition to the above any kind of leadership experience (in school sports, an off campus job, your volunteer work, etc.) is a bonus.
Best of luck!
Chris
While you can major in a hard science (biology, chemistry, physics, etc.) or pre-med, your undergrad major is really not important as long as you have taken the minimum core science courses (lots of my MD colleagues were majors in areas like history, business, accounting, etc.) and some may argue that it sets you apart and shows you’re well rounded (thus it may help you when applying to med school), I would say the three most critical factors to getting into a good medical school are:
1) excellent GPA (really 3.8 or above is what you should shoot for)
2) excellent MCAT scores (most medical schools publish what the average MCAT scores are of their successful candidates, so look on the websites of a few of your top med schools to get an idea of the kinds of MCAT scores they expect.
3) lots of volunteers experience, ideally in a healthcare setting
Number 3 is critical, as most medical schools are looking for candidates who actually care about and can work with people. It’s not just enough to be smart / academically talented (although that’s definitely also required) but you need to show you are a compassionate and empathetic human being.
In addition to the above any kind of leadership experience (in school sports, an off campus job, your volunteer work, etc.) is a bonus.
Best of luck!
Chris