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What are the small steps along with the big steps someone who desires to become a medical doctor take?
I’m a 12th grade student who maintains a high GPA and works at a local hospital wanting to becoming a medical doctor.
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Michel’s Answer
Hello,
Being a doctor is an amazing goal. You are doing the hard work right now by creating a great background, and I want you to know that you are doing amazing. I will start by saying you are already developing great experience to look good for applications. Some things you can look into doing are volunteering in an organization that you enjoy. This will be a question that you get asked over and over during medical school what did you do for volunteering and why did you choose this. The next thing would be getting involved in clubs and organizations that help the community. Developing a passion for helping is important and gives you an idea of what it is like to work with communities that need help.
Being a doctor is an amazing goal. You are doing the hard work right now by creating a great background, and I want you to know that you are doing amazing. I will start by saying you are already developing great experience to look good for applications. Some things you can look into doing are volunteering in an organization that you enjoy. This will be a question that you get asked over and over during medical school what did you do for volunteering and why did you choose this. The next thing would be getting involved in clubs and organizations that help the community. Developing a passion for helping is important and gives you an idea of what it is like to work with communities that need help.
Updated
Kess’s Answer
Hi Kasey!
Here is the general breakdown:
1. Complete high school.
2. Research what college you want to go to for your bachelor's degree. Most medical schools will consider any degree as long as you've completed the prerequisites for the med school.
(I have a bachelor's in biomedical science with minors in chemistry and sociology, and my friends in medical school have English, Russian history, and Psychology degrees.)
3. Take as many classes as you can for your degree at your community college to save money (but make sure they transfer to a university)! Apply for financial aid through FAFSA. Some community colleges have programs to get you from that community college and into a nearby university.
4. Apply for and graduate with at least a bachelor's degree.
5. Prepare for and take the MCAT (medical college admissions test).
6. Prepare for and apply to medical schools (both MD (medical doctor) and DO (doctor of osteopathic medicine) are options in the US to practice western medicine.). This includes getting together your MCAT scores, transcripts for schools, and personal statement (very, very important! Consider professional editing).
7. Complete 4 years of medical school (the first 2 years are book learning, second two years are clinical rotations). Licensing exams are done after the 2nd year of medical school and another after the 3rd year. Then the 3rd one is done during residency.
8. Apply for and attend residency - another 3-7 or more years of training (Take your 3rd major exam here.)
GOOD LUCK! YOU CAN DO IT!!!
Here is the general breakdown:
1. Complete high school.
2. Research what college you want to go to for your bachelor's degree. Most medical schools will consider any degree as long as you've completed the prerequisites for the med school.
(I have a bachelor's in biomedical science with minors in chemistry and sociology, and my friends in medical school have English, Russian history, and Psychology degrees.)
3. Take as many classes as you can for your degree at your community college to save money (but make sure they transfer to a university)! Apply for financial aid through FAFSA. Some community colleges have programs to get you from that community college and into a nearby university.
4. Apply for and graduate with at least a bachelor's degree.
5. Prepare for and take the MCAT (medical college admissions test).
6. Prepare for and apply to medical schools (both MD (medical doctor) and DO (doctor of osteopathic medicine) are options in the US to practice western medicine.). This includes getting together your MCAT scores, transcripts for schools, and personal statement (very, very important! Consider professional editing).
7. Complete 4 years of medical school (the first 2 years are book learning, second two years are clinical rotations). Licensing exams are done after the 2nd year of medical school and another after the 3rd year. Then the 3rd one is done during residency.
8. Apply for and attend residency - another 3-7 or more years of training (Take your 3rd major exam here.)
GOOD LUCK! YOU CAN DO IT!!!
Updated
Rita’s Answer
I think you are on the right track and that's wonderful.
When you go to college, the next steps are to maintain your high GPA and study for the MCAT test. Most premed students study science. Extracurricular activities, research, and volunteering are also helpful but you may want to stand out and just do something you are truly passionate about. One of my friends who is a physician told me that she had better grades and MCAT scores than her sister (who is also a doctor) but her sister was accepted into a better school. She was an opera singer and during one interview, they asked her to sing. This is what I mean by standing out.
I precept medical students and I've noticed that the students who worked as a scribe have been excellent physicians. You can get a job as a scribe during your summer breaks. As a scribe, you will be typing for the doctors as they treat patients. This will be very helpful for your future and then you can speak with doctors and get some advice which is priceless.
When you go to college, the next steps are to maintain your high GPA and study for the MCAT test. Most premed students study science. Extracurricular activities, research, and volunteering are also helpful but you may want to stand out and just do something you are truly passionate about. One of my friends who is a physician told me that she had better grades and MCAT scores than her sister (who is also a doctor) but her sister was accepted into a better school. She was an opera singer and during one interview, they asked her to sing. This is what I mean by standing out.
I precept medical students and I've noticed that the students who worked as a scribe have been excellent physicians. You can get a job as a scribe during your summer breaks. As a scribe, you will be typing for the doctors as they treat patients. This will be very helpful for your future and then you can speak with doctors and get some advice which is priceless.
Updated
Opeoluwa’s Answer
Additionally, you might also consider having a mentor. It makes the path more easy to navigate.
Nice one!
Nice one!
Updated
Annette’s Answer
Congratulations!! You have already done the most important early steps towards your goal: maintaining a high GPA and interning in your field of choice. Your next step will be most likely majoring in premed (bio/chem, etc) in your college/university where you will have some opportunity to do research work and brief internships while keeping your course grades up as best as possible. You will then attend medical school for another four years, keeping the grades up and working in whatever extra opportunities are afforded you be it internships, etc. Once you have finished medical school you will start your graduate medical education most likely as an intern at a hospital and study to take the medical boards in your state. You can go on to do a residency there or elsewhere or a post-graduate fellowship in your desired field of medicine. It’s a long road but an exciting one and a much needed profession. Good luck to you!!
Updated
Madison’s Answer
Working at your hospital is awesome! Continue to make good grades, be an active helpful member of your community, find mentors, pick a few activities and be dedicated to those instead of tons of ones you’re only partially dedicated to! For instance maybe pick one club in college but sit on the exec board and maybe one big volunteer activity but be passionate about it! That will always serve you better than spreading yourself thin and will show in med school interviews!