2 answers
Zoe
Student
Burlingame, California
1
Question
Asked
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How to become a psychiatrist?
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2 answers
Marylou DiFilippo
Actor, Teacher
54
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Marylou’s Answer
Zoe, I have no idea. All I know is that I truly couldn’t think of not having my psychiatrist. This doesn’t directly answer your question. But my advice is keep your head on straight. And, as the great Joseph Campbell says, “Follow your bliss”.
Karin P.
Lecturer
375
Answers
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Zoe,
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor, so you would need to go to medical school. You first need to earn an undergrad degree in any discipline. Many choose biology or biochemistry, but it can really be anything as long as you earn a bachelors (4 years).
You also need to take certain pre-requisite math and science courses.
Every medical school has slightly different requirements, so make sure you check with the schools you would consider what their current rules are. You also need to take the MCAT before you apply to medical school.
You'll be in med school for 4 years. The first 2 years are mostly classroom. The last 2 years are clinical. You'll rotate through several specialties. After passing exams you will be an MD or an DO depending on the path you choose.
Next, you'll choose a specialty to do your residency in, i.e. get further training. The residency for psychiatry is 4 years.
Getting into medical school is very competitive. You need to start early to prepare. Obviously, you need a good GPA and a high MCAT score. In high-school, you should take AP or IB or double enrollment (whatever advanced program your school offers), focussing on math and science courses. You should also start to volunteer or job-shadow in a medical environment, e.g. a hospital. Medical schools expect you to have medical experience and demonstrate your dedication to medicine and giving back to the community.
You'll also need letters of recommendation and a personal statement/essay. You might be invited to an interview as part of the selection process. So, start early to get all your ducks in a row.
I left some links for the requirements and admission process for Harvard Medical School as an example. You need to look up similar information for schools you would consider.
I hope this helps! All the best!
KP
https://meded.hms.harvard.edu/admissions
https://meded.hms.harvard.edu/admissions-before-you-apply
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor, so you would need to go to medical school. You first need to earn an undergrad degree in any discipline. Many choose biology or biochemistry, but it can really be anything as long as you earn a bachelors (4 years).
You also need to take certain pre-requisite math and science courses.
Every medical school has slightly different requirements, so make sure you check with the schools you would consider what their current rules are. You also need to take the MCAT before you apply to medical school.
You'll be in med school for 4 years. The first 2 years are mostly classroom. The last 2 years are clinical. You'll rotate through several specialties. After passing exams you will be an MD or an DO depending on the path you choose.
Next, you'll choose a specialty to do your residency in, i.e. get further training. The residency for psychiatry is 4 years.
Getting into medical school is very competitive. You need to start early to prepare. Obviously, you need a good GPA and a high MCAT score. In high-school, you should take AP or IB or double enrollment (whatever advanced program your school offers), focussing on math and science courses. You should also start to volunteer or job-shadow in a medical environment, e.g. a hospital. Medical schools expect you to have medical experience and demonstrate your dedication to medicine and giving back to the community.
You'll also need letters of recommendation and a personal statement/essay. You might be invited to an interview as part of the selection process. So, start early to get all your ducks in a row.
I left some links for the requirements and admission process for Harvard Medical School as an example. You need to look up similar information for schools you would consider.
I hope this helps! All the best!
KP
Karin recommends the following next steps:
Thank you, this is amazing! I really needed it.
Kennedy