6 answers
James
Student
Brownsville, Texas
1
Question
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What classes should I take or consider taking to become qualified and earn a job as a sports medicine physician?
“Career-attaining opportunities”
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6 answers
Kess French
Medical Student
109
Answers
Updated
Kess’s Answer
Hi James! Good question!! To become a sports medicine physician you'll have to go to medical school. Below is a general outline! I started with high school since I'm not sure where you are on this journey.
1. Complete high school. Try to take Chemistry, Anatomy and Physiology, Biology, or other science/health classes. Also, consider getting through as much math as you can. Most medical schools require both Physics and Statistics so getting a head-start is helpful!
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. Make sure to take some classes that you enjoy as well! Med schools want to see well-rounded applicants with passions outside of medicine, not someone who just checked the boxes.
(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. Some people opt for a Master's degree such as in Public Health but it is not required.
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) can be sports medicine doctors).
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 the residency - another few years of training depending on specialty. (Take your 3rd major exam here.) For sports medicine, many doctors choose Family Medicine (3 years) and then do a Sports Medicine fellowship afterwards (another 1-2 years).
GOOD LUCK! YOU CAN DO IT!!!
1. Complete high school. Try to take Chemistry, Anatomy and Physiology, Biology, or other science/health classes. Also, consider getting through as much math as you can. Most medical schools require both Physics and Statistics so getting a head-start is helpful!
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. Make sure to take some classes that you enjoy as well! Med schools want to see well-rounded applicants with passions outside of medicine, not someone who just checked the boxes.
(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. Some people opt for a Master's degree such as in Public Health but it is not required.
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) can be sports medicine doctors).
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 the residency - another few years of training depending on specialty. (Take your 3rd major exam here.) For sports medicine, many doctors choose Family Medicine (3 years) and then do a Sports Medicine fellowship afterwards (another 1-2 years).
GOOD LUCK! YOU CAN DO IT!!!
Sabeena Setia
Internal medicine
4
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Sabeena’s Answer
A sports medicine physician can have a career in multiple settings - which is a wonderful flexible feature of this specialty. As a high school student, if you are not playing any sports, it would be helpful to familiarize yourself with any kind of solo or team sport to begin with. Volunteering at high school or college games is a nice thing to do and enjoyable. If you are playing sports - try and follow the team physiatrist/trainer, and consider coaching positions. It's always nice to pick one or maybe two sports or areas that you are interested in and concentrate rather than doing multiple things. Another option would be doing research - clinical research on injuries on a macro level or on injuries at a cellular level associated with sports. An internship with a physical therapist is a great way to familiarize yourself with musculoskeletal injuries you would encounter in your future career. Of course to get into medical school you must have excellent grades, outstanding recommendations and great MCAT scores - it is getting more and more challenging to gain admission into U.S. medical schools.
Patrick Meyer
Executive - Data Analytics and AI
780
Answers
Naperville, Illinois
Updated
Patrick’s Answer
James, thank you for your question. It is funny because my youngest son is a sophomore in high school and is thinking of sports management / medicine as a major and had a similar question. I shared with him that the path to becoming a sports medicine physician is thrilling and potentially very fulfilling. Here's the advice I gave him:
1. He should concentrate on science subjects during his undergraduate studies, with a major in biology, chemistry, or similar fields to establish a robust pre-med foundation.
2. I suggested that he should aim to complete necessary courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. Additionally, exposure to psychology and sociology would be beneficial in preparing for the MCAT.
3. He should consider pursuing a relevant bachelor's degree, typically in biology, or explore alternatives such as kinesiology or exercise science. He's currently eyeing schools known for strong programs in kinesiology and business management.
4. I advised him that if he's truly passionate about practicing sports medicine, he must successfully graduate from medical school, earning an MD or DO degree. He should focus on sports medicine electives and rotations for specialized training. After medical school, the next step would be to complete a residency in sports medicine for hands-on experience with sports-related injuries. Once completed, he should aim to secure board certification in sports medicine through ABMS or AOA, which would demonstrate his expertise and dedication.
I reminded him that while he's researching now, it's essential to stay current with continuous education, attend conferences, workshops, and establish a network within the sports medicine community. As a JV Basketball player, he could gain practical experience by working with his current and other sports teams, athletes, or sports medicine clinics. Consulting with advisors and professionals for personalized advice is another useful strategy.
I hope this is beneficial to you and does answer your question.
1. He should concentrate on science subjects during his undergraduate studies, with a major in biology, chemistry, or similar fields to establish a robust pre-med foundation.
2. I suggested that he should aim to complete necessary courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. Additionally, exposure to psychology and sociology would be beneficial in preparing for the MCAT.
3. He should consider pursuing a relevant bachelor's degree, typically in biology, or explore alternatives such as kinesiology or exercise science. He's currently eyeing schools known for strong programs in kinesiology and business management.
4. I advised him that if he's truly passionate about practicing sports medicine, he must successfully graduate from medical school, earning an MD or DO degree. He should focus on sports medicine electives and rotations for specialized training. After medical school, the next step would be to complete a residency in sports medicine for hands-on experience with sports-related injuries. Once completed, he should aim to secure board certification in sports medicine through ABMS or AOA, which would demonstrate his expertise and dedication.
I reminded him that while he's researching now, it's essential to stay current with continuous education, attend conferences, workshops, and establish a network within the sports medicine community. As a JV Basketball player, he could gain practical experience by working with his current and other sports teams, athletes, or sports medicine clinics. Consulting with advisors and professionals for personalized advice is another useful strategy.
I hope this is beneficial to you and does answer your question.
Godfrey Magawe
Clinical officer nephrology
121
Answers
Nairobi, Nairobi County, Kenya
Updated
Godfrey’s Answer
That's great career prospect.
I believe for you to a earn a Bachelor in sport science you need to take both science and arts courses as it sinergizes together towards achieving a sport science course.
Basically you need to be good in biology, genetics, algebra, psychology, biochemistry, physics.
I believe the above courses will prepare one toward such a career path for sure.
I believe for you to a earn a Bachelor in sport science you need to take both science and arts courses as it sinergizes together towards achieving a sport science course.
Basically you need to be good in biology, genetics, algebra, psychology, biochemistry, physics.
I believe the above courses will prepare one toward such a career path for sure.
Joan Shea
Global Marketing Director
110
Answers
Newcastle, WA
Updated
Joan’s Answer
Hello James!
Given that you're currently a high school student, there are several effective strategies to ensure your success as a future Sports Medicine Physician.
To optimally equip yourself for a sports medicine career, it's advisable to gain hands-on experience. This can be done by actively seeking opportunities to observe physicians, volunteering in healthcare environments, or engaging in medical research.
These activities not only showcase your dedication and passion for medicine, but also equip you with valuable insights and skills. Furthermore, it's crucial to prioritize your academics, maintaining a high GPA and studying diligently for the MCAT. Remember, your academic prowess is a key criterion that medical schools consider.
As you embark on your pre-med undergraduate journey, think about participating in Medical Research Opportunities that may be available. Continue to immerse yourself in a healthcare setting and shadow physicians to gain practical experience.
Finally, securing recommendations from physicians and professors, coupled with a compelling essay and successful interview, will bolster your chances of being accepted into Medical School.
Best of luck on your path to becoming a Sports Medicine Physician.
Given that you're currently a high school student, there are several effective strategies to ensure your success as a future Sports Medicine Physician.
To optimally equip yourself for a sports medicine career, it's advisable to gain hands-on experience. This can be done by actively seeking opportunities to observe physicians, volunteering in healthcare environments, or engaging in medical research.
These activities not only showcase your dedication and passion for medicine, but also equip you with valuable insights and skills. Furthermore, it's crucial to prioritize your academics, maintaining a high GPA and studying diligently for the MCAT. Remember, your academic prowess is a key criterion that medical schools consider.
As you embark on your pre-med undergraduate journey, think about participating in Medical Research Opportunities that may be available. Continue to immerse yourself in a healthcare setting and shadow physicians to gain practical experience.
Finally, securing recommendations from physicians and professors, coupled with a compelling essay and successful interview, will bolster your chances of being accepted into Medical School.
Best of luck on your path to becoming a Sports Medicine Physician.
Madison Buchman
doctor
112
Answers
West Hartford
Updated
Madison’s Answer
In general you still need bachelor degree, med school, residency, fellowship. For sports med an undergraduate degree in kinesthesiology or exercise physiology/science is a great major!