2 answers
Tada
Student
Texas City, Texas
2
Questions
2 answers
Karin P.
Lecturer
376
Answers
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Tada,
To become a medical doctor you have to go through medical school. I have attached admission information for Harvard medical school as an example. Make sure you look up the current requirements for any school you would consider as well as the timelines for application.
You first need to earn a bachelors degree in any field (4 years). Many students opt for biology or biochemistry, but it can be anything. You have to cover some pre-requisite courses though. I have attached the pre-requisites for Harvard as an example.
Before you can apply to medical school, you need to take the MCAT. If admitted, you'll be in medical school for 4 years which includes rotations through different specialties.
You then decide on a specialty that you want to persue and do a residency in that specialty. A residency can be anywhere from 3 to 8 years depending on the field. Some people opt for a fellowship after residency to further specialize.
Admission to medical school is very selective. You'll need excellent marks in college and in the MCAT. You'll also need extracurricular activities that demonstrate things like community service, leadership, commitment to the medical field. You also need medical experience which you can get through internships, volunteering or job-shadowing in a healthcare facility. You also need some letters of recommendation from your college lecturers or a person who supervised you in an internship and a personal statement.
I hope this helps! Good luck!
KP
https://meded.hms.harvard.edu/admissions-before-you-apply
https://meded.hms.harvard.edu/admissions-selection-factors
https://meded.hms.harvard.edu/admissions-prerequisite-courses#bymatriculation
To become a medical doctor you have to go through medical school. I have attached admission information for Harvard medical school as an example. Make sure you look up the current requirements for any school you would consider as well as the timelines for application.
You first need to earn a bachelors degree in any field (4 years). Many students opt for biology or biochemistry, but it can be anything. You have to cover some pre-requisite courses though. I have attached the pre-requisites for Harvard as an example.
Before you can apply to medical school, you need to take the MCAT. If admitted, you'll be in medical school for 4 years which includes rotations through different specialties.
You then decide on a specialty that you want to persue and do a residency in that specialty. A residency can be anywhere from 3 to 8 years depending on the field. Some people opt for a fellowship after residency to further specialize.
Admission to medical school is very selective. You'll need excellent marks in college and in the MCAT. You'll also need extracurricular activities that demonstrate things like community service, leadership, commitment to the medical field. You also need medical experience which you can get through internships, volunteering or job-shadowing in a healthcare facility. You also need some letters of recommendation from your college lecturers or a person who supervised you in an internship and a personal statement.
I hope this helps! Good luck!
KP
Karin recommends the following next steps:
Michael Dv orkin
Orthopedic surgeon
10
Answers
Baltimore, Maryland
Updated
Michael’s Answer
You have to first be in love with being involved with people. Good communication schools are important. Uneed to be good in the sciences but don’t after major in the sciences as long as you get all the requirements for medical school completed. It is a great profession that I’ve been in for 45 years and I have no regrets.