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What is the best or easiest route to becoming a medical scientist?

9th grade, took honors bio and chem, eventually biology major

science doctor medical-school medical hospital-and-health-care
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Alyssa’s Answer

Hi there!

This is a great career choice and can be very rewarding. However, you must first attend a 4-yr university to do so. Here, you will interact with many professors who are research scientists themselves and advisors that will guide you in taking the appropriate steps to achieve your goals. Here is a general outline on how to become a scientist:

Obtain a Bachelor's Degree: Start by completing a bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as biology, biochemistry, biomedical sciences, or a related discipline. Focus on coursework that emphasizes research methods, laboratory techniques, and foundational knowledge in the biomedical sciences.

Gain Research Experience: Seek opportunities to gain research experience during your undergraduate years. Look for research assistant positions, internships, or summer research programs in academic institutions or research organizations. This hands-on experience will help you develop research skills, learn about different research techniques, and explore specific areas of interest.
Thank you comment icon I'm excited to put your great advice to good use! Adrienne
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Sharon’s Answer

I would suggest starting at your local community college and major in science. It is the easier path in terms of getting into college and also affordability. You can get a two year degree and then transfer to complete your bachelor of science for the last two years and specialize in the area you would like to work. Also, ask the guidance counselor about volunteering as a research assistant for some of the work being done by the professors at the school. This will help with experience and also help you get into a good university. You may be able to transition to a paid research assistant position as well.
Thank you comment icon Thank you for the advice. simon
Thank you comment icon Loved reading this, thanks! Adrienne
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Aimee’s Answer

Alyssa's is great for research. If you want to work in a hospital or clinic laboratory there are a few routes.

There is a 2 year medical laboratory technician degree or a 4 year medical laboratory scientist degree. You'll have to search for schools that offer these programs.

In a medical laboratory you may be collecting samples and you will definitely be running tests. We use instruments to run a lot of our tests but there is still a lot of hands on work as well. Biology and chemistry are a great start.

You can also get a job as a phlebotomist (someone who draws blood) at a hospital once you are 18 to help get a feel if this is the career for you.
Thank you comment icon Thanks for the help. Adrienne
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John’s Answer

There is a program called JSHS.org in every state in the country. What they have you do is a unique study of your own design in which you come up with the idea. You will gain knowledge as to how scientists perform their work every day using your own techniques. Whether it be by microscopy, or chemical techniques or even techniques in physics and biology combined which is referred to as biophysics. There are I believe 7 fields to work in such as biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, medicine, math and one other field that I cannot recall. If you do well in your own region you will receive money, up to $500. If you do really well and are in the top 8 I believe you compete nationally against the rest of the country in the field you choose. If you compete nationally you can win up to $12,000 in scholarship money. I know this because I mentored to students who competed in this program. Both won regionally and one went to compete nationally. He was the student that did a biophysics project. When asked by him what field he should compete in we all said physics because less people compete in physics than biology. You can also look into the Journal of Emerging Investigators or emerginginvestigators.org and write a paper to be published in the journal. This will have your name in print that you can put in as an accomplishment in your application to any college or university. Speak to one of your teachers and ask them if they are willing to work with you on either the JSHS project or publishing a paper in the journal. This journal is specifically for middle and high school students.
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