4 answers
Roro
Student
Ohio City, Ohio
2
Questions
4 answers
tokunbo akande
Pediatrician, Informaticist
2
Answers
Houston, Texas
Updated
tokunbo’s Answer
Planning for a career in medicine is like planning for a marathon. It's a long, long journey to become a practicing doctor. Because it takes so long and costs so much, you should first be certain that this is indeed what you wish to do. If it's not, pick a course (like computer science or finance) where you can start making good enough money right after college.
So the first thing I'll say to you is, think about your "WHY". If you have a good reason (and the reason doesn't have to make sense to anyone else), then that reason (your "why") is what will keep you going the many, many times that the journey will get tough! Many times I wanted to quit, but I was able to rally a last of ounce of energy to take the next small step towards the finish line. (PS: your reason might change as you grow and mature, but whatever reason you have will serve as your true north, as you navigate the many challenges on your way).
In high school, you need to study chemistry, biology and physics. This is a period where you need to be focused and not get sidetracked by too much teen drama - yes, you’re growing and will make mistakes - so you can maintain excellent grades. This will matter when you start deciding on which colleges you wish to go for undergrad. Also make time for some hobbies and for volunteering. Write your SAT and score very high.
For undergrad, my advice is you pick a Major you think you'd enjoy. What do you have a flair or talent for? Pick that for your major. That way, you can attain excellent grades without too much effort. You don't want to pick a course where you're studying 8hr a day just to make A's! It's absolutely important that this period is one where you can have a bit of fun and discover who you are. Don't be too focused on getting into a "top school" or on doing a course that you think is related to medicine (except it's a course you think you'd enjoy). However, if your major is completely unrelated to medicine, make sure you make a plan for taking the pre-med prerequisite courses too. Undergrad is where you complete your maturation into a young adult, so my advice is you spend it well because you still have medical school ahead, and that period is hectic! Again, during your undergrad, the hope is that you're having fun studying and also have time for extracurriculars like an international travel, volunteering, or exploration of your creative side.
After undergrad, and hopefully you were able to maintain excellent grades in spite of all the fun you had, then you need to study for the MCAT. This is the exam you need to pass in order to be able to apply for medical school. After passing the MCAT, apply to medical school. The things that will set you on a good ranking for acceptance into medical school are your high school grades/SAT scores; your undergrad grades (CGPA); your MCAT scores; and also critically important, your extracurriculars such as volunteer experience. Every year smart people from all over the country apply to get into medical school. Almost ALL have fantastic grades, so now, that has become common. The thing that will set you apart are your life experiences that you mention on your application. For example if I'm looking at two candidates with great scores, I'm more likely to invite the one who mentioned that they've mentored 20 high risk kids helping them to stay in school, or have a "unique" volunteer experience at a Peruvian village than the candidate who only has perfect MCAT scores and shadowed their uncle who’s a surgeon for three months.
To summarize:
1.). Know your "why"
2.) Maintain good grades in high school and be sure to take physics, chemistry and biology. Volunteer, nurture your hobbies.
3.) Do a 4-year undergrad in a course you have a flair for and enjoy. Maintain excellent grades. Have fun. Volunteer. Nurture your creative side. Be close with family as much as you can.
4.) Write your MCAT, put together a solid application to medical school. Apply.
5.) This wasn't mentioned before, but for medical school, only go to an expensive ivy league school if you're on a full ride scholarship. Otherwise, find a very good in-state medical school so that you keep your medical school costs down. A lot of people finish medical school with a ton of debt. You want to be prudent to keep those debts as low as possible. (Although, there are jobs when you eventually finish your medical training that can help with the repayment of those loans).
6.) Also not mentioned before. After medical school, you need to do a 3- or 4-year residency and then you will be able to practice medicine. Or in addition, you do a 2-5 year fellowship after residency if you wish to subspecialize, and then you will be able to practice medicine as a specialist. Total number of years: undergrad (4)+ medical school (4), + residency (3 or 4) = 11 or 12 years.
So the first thing I'll say to you is, think about your "WHY". If you have a good reason (and the reason doesn't have to make sense to anyone else), then that reason (your "why") is what will keep you going the many, many times that the journey will get tough! Many times I wanted to quit, but I was able to rally a last of ounce of energy to take the next small step towards the finish line. (PS: your reason might change as you grow and mature, but whatever reason you have will serve as your true north, as you navigate the many challenges on your way).
In high school, you need to study chemistry, biology and physics. This is a period where you need to be focused and not get sidetracked by too much teen drama - yes, you’re growing and will make mistakes - so you can maintain excellent grades. This will matter when you start deciding on which colleges you wish to go for undergrad. Also make time for some hobbies and for volunteering. Write your SAT and score very high.
For undergrad, my advice is you pick a Major you think you'd enjoy. What do you have a flair or talent for? Pick that for your major. That way, you can attain excellent grades without too much effort. You don't want to pick a course where you're studying 8hr a day just to make A's! It's absolutely important that this period is one where you can have a bit of fun and discover who you are. Don't be too focused on getting into a "top school" or on doing a course that you think is related to medicine (except it's a course you think you'd enjoy). However, if your major is completely unrelated to medicine, make sure you make a plan for taking the pre-med prerequisite courses too. Undergrad is where you complete your maturation into a young adult, so my advice is you spend it well because you still have medical school ahead, and that period is hectic! Again, during your undergrad, the hope is that you're having fun studying and also have time for extracurriculars like an international travel, volunteering, or exploration of your creative side.
After undergrad, and hopefully you were able to maintain excellent grades in spite of all the fun you had, then you need to study for the MCAT. This is the exam you need to pass in order to be able to apply for medical school. After passing the MCAT, apply to medical school. The things that will set you on a good ranking for acceptance into medical school are your high school grades/SAT scores; your undergrad grades (CGPA); your MCAT scores; and also critically important, your extracurriculars such as volunteer experience. Every year smart people from all over the country apply to get into medical school. Almost ALL have fantastic grades, so now, that has become common. The thing that will set you apart are your life experiences that you mention on your application. For example if I'm looking at two candidates with great scores, I'm more likely to invite the one who mentioned that they've mentored 20 high risk kids helping them to stay in school, or have a "unique" volunteer experience at a Peruvian village than the candidate who only has perfect MCAT scores and shadowed their uncle who’s a surgeon for three months.
To summarize:
1.). Know your "why"
2.) Maintain good grades in high school and be sure to take physics, chemistry and biology. Volunteer, nurture your hobbies.
3.) Do a 4-year undergrad in a course you have a flair for and enjoy. Maintain excellent grades. Have fun. Volunteer. Nurture your creative side. Be close with family as much as you can.
4.) Write your MCAT, put together a solid application to medical school. Apply.
5.) This wasn't mentioned before, but for medical school, only go to an expensive ivy league school if you're on a full ride scholarship. Otherwise, find a very good in-state medical school so that you keep your medical school costs down. A lot of people finish medical school with a ton of debt. You want to be prudent to keep those debts as low as possible. (Although, there are jobs when you eventually finish your medical training that can help with the repayment of those loans).
6.) Also not mentioned before. After medical school, you need to do a 3- or 4-year residency and then you will be able to practice medicine. Or in addition, you do a 2-5 year fellowship after residency if you wish to subspecialize, and then you will be able to practice medicine as a specialist. Total number of years: undergrad (4)+ medical school (4), + residency (3 or 4) = 11 or 12 years.
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
6175
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hello Roro!
How to Become a Doctor
Becoming a doctor is a rigorous and rewarding journey that requires dedication, extensive education, and practical training. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to pursue this career path.
Step 1: Complete Your Undergraduate Education
The first step towards becoming a doctor is obtaining an undergraduate degree. While there is no specific major required for medical school, students often choose fields such as biology, chemistry, or health sciences. Here are some key points to consider:
Coursework: Focus on courses in the sciences (biology, chemistry, physics) as well as mathematics and humanities. Medical schools typically require certain prerequisite courses.
GPA: Maintain a strong GPA (generally above 3.0) to be competitive when applying to medical schools.
Extracurricular Activities: Engage in activities that demonstrate leadership and commitment to healthcare, such as volunteering at hospitals or clinics.
Step 2: Take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)
After completing your undergraduate degree or nearing its completion, you will need to take the MCAT:
Preparation: Invest time in studying for the MCAT, which tests knowledge of biological and physical sciences, verbal reasoning, and critical analysis.
Score: Aim for a competitive score; most medical schools have average accepted scores around the 80th percentile.
Step 3: Apply to Medical School
Once you have completed your undergraduate education and taken the MCAT:
Application Process: Use the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) or other relevant application services to apply.
Interviews: Prepare for interviews by practicing common questions and understanding each school’s program.
Step 4: Complete Medical School
Medical school typically lasts four years:
Curriculum: The first two years usually focus on classroom-based learning in subjects like anatomy, pharmacology, and pathology. The last two years involve clinical rotations in various specialties.
Examinations: You will need to pass the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 after your second year and Step 2 during your clinical years.
Step 5: Enter Residency Training
After graduating from medical school:
Residency Programs: Apply for residency programs in your chosen specialty (e.g., internal medicine, surgery). Residency can last from three to seven years depending on the specialty.
Hands-On Training: During residency, you will gain hands-on experience under supervision while treating patients.
Step 6: Obtain Licensure
To practice medicine independently:
State Licensure: After completing residency training, you must pass USMLE Step 3 and apply for licensure in the state where you wish to practice.
Step 7: Consider Fellowship Training (Optional)
If you wish to specialize further:
Fellowship Programs: After residency, you can pursue additional training through fellowship programs that focus on subspecialties (e.g., cardiology).
Step 8: Start Practicing Medicine
Once licensed:
Begin practicing medicine either in private practice, hospitals, or other healthcare settings.
Continuing Education
Doctors are required to engage in continuing education throughout their careers to stay updated with advancements in medicine.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) - Provides comprehensive information on medical education pathways including admissions processes.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Offers detailed insights into job outlooks and requirements for physicians.
National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) - Supplies information regarding licensing examinations necessary for practicing medicine.
God Bless You!
JC.
How to Become a Doctor
Becoming a doctor is a rigorous and rewarding journey that requires dedication, extensive education, and practical training. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to pursue this career path.
Step 1: Complete Your Undergraduate Education
The first step towards becoming a doctor is obtaining an undergraduate degree. While there is no specific major required for medical school, students often choose fields such as biology, chemistry, or health sciences. Here are some key points to consider:
Coursework: Focus on courses in the sciences (biology, chemistry, physics) as well as mathematics and humanities. Medical schools typically require certain prerequisite courses.
GPA: Maintain a strong GPA (generally above 3.0) to be competitive when applying to medical schools.
Extracurricular Activities: Engage in activities that demonstrate leadership and commitment to healthcare, such as volunteering at hospitals or clinics.
Step 2: Take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)
After completing your undergraduate degree or nearing its completion, you will need to take the MCAT:
Preparation: Invest time in studying for the MCAT, which tests knowledge of biological and physical sciences, verbal reasoning, and critical analysis.
Score: Aim for a competitive score; most medical schools have average accepted scores around the 80th percentile.
Step 3: Apply to Medical School
Once you have completed your undergraduate education and taken the MCAT:
Application Process: Use the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) or other relevant application services to apply.
Interviews: Prepare for interviews by practicing common questions and understanding each school’s program.
Step 4: Complete Medical School
Medical school typically lasts four years:
Curriculum: The first two years usually focus on classroom-based learning in subjects like anatomy, pharmacology, and pathology. The last two years involve clinical rotations in various specialties.
Examinations: You will need to pass the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 after your second year and Step 2 during your clinical years.
Step 5: Enter Residency Training
After graduating from medical school:
Residency Programs: Apply for residency programs in your chosen specialty (e.g., internal medicine, surgery). Residency can last from three to seven years depending on the specialty.
Hands-On Training: During residency, you will gain hands-on experience under supervision while treating patients.
Step 6: Obtain Licensure
To practice medicine independently:
State Licensure: After completing residency training, you must pass USMLE Step 3 and apply for licensure in the state where you wish to practice.
Step 7: Consider Fellowship Training (Optional)
If you wish to specialize further:
Fellowship Programs: After residency, you can pursue additional training through fellowship programs that focus on subspecialties (e.g., cardiology).
Step 8: Start Practicing Medicine
Once licensed:
Begin practicing medicine either in private practice, hospitals, or other healthcare settings.
Continuing Education
Doctors are required to engage in continuing education throughout their careers to stay updated with advancements in medicine.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) - Provides comprehensive information on medical education pathways including admissions processes.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Offers detailed insights into job outlooks and requirements for physicians.
National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) - Supplies information regarding licensing examinations necessary for practicing medicine.
God Bless You!
JC.
Paul Treuhaft, MD, MA
Retired surgeon who replaced hips and knees
43
Answers
Santa Rosa, California
Updated
Paul’s Answer
The answer above covers all the steps, but I can add some comments. Basically there are three stages: the first is a bachelor’s degree with an emphasis on completing basic science courses including math, biology, physics, and chemistry. Next is going to medical school, which is another four years. Once you graduate from medical school you have a MD degree, but you are not ready to start treating patients. Before you can do that you need to choose an area of specialization and do what is called a residency to learn the basic skills of your specialty. Residencies these days are basically four years, but are often followed by a fellowship for one or two years where you learn advanced skills in your specialty. Once you have completed all of this you are ready to start caring for patients. A thing you cannot ignore is the cost of all this. Much depends on what your family can afford. Many colleges offer financial support, but not many medical schools do, so you may have to borrow money to pay for your education. Once you become a resident you will be paid a salary. It will be enough to live on even if married and with a child, but it will not be enough to support significant savings. Once your finish all your training you will make make more money, but you will also be well into your thirties. I mention this because the training period is so long and so expensive that you need to be sure that this is what you really want to do and are willing to commit to the time, hard work, and up front expenses. Once you complete your training you can expect to earn a good income, but you also can expect to work hard and for long hours. I know this sounds dismal, but I will tell you that I and every other doctor I know thinks it is well worth the time, effort and money. The satisfaction from helping people regain or maintain their health cannot be matched in n any other occupation. As far as I am concerned, becoming a surgeon was the best single decision I ever made.
Paul S. Treuhaft, MD, MA
Paul S. Treuhaft, MD, MA
guillaumine tabet
nurse
4
Answers
Washington, Washington
Updated
guillaumine’s Answer
In order to pursue a career in medicine, you need to complete several important stages:
1. Achieve a bachelor's degree: This is typically the first step in the process and involves completing a bachelor's degree with a focus on the premedical sciences or a related field.
2. Clear the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) exam: The MCAT is a standardized test that is required for admission to most medical schools in the United States and Canada. It assesses problem-solving, critical thinking, and knowledge of natural, behavioral, and social science concepts and principles.
3. Join a medical school and complete the necessary training: After passing the MCAT, you will need to apply to medical schools and complete a rigorous program of study that includes classroom instruction, laboratory work, and clinical rotations.
4. Pass the initial two components of the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE): The USMLE is a three-step examination for medical licensure in the United States. The first two components, Step 1 and Step 2, assess a physician's ability to apply knowledge, concepts, and principles, and to determine fundamental patient-centered skills that are important in health and disease.
5. Select your area of specialization and commence your residency program: After completing medical school, aspiring doctors must apply for and complete a residency program in their chosen specialty. This typically involves several years of supervised clinical training in a hospital or clinic setting.
1. Achieve a bachelor's degree: This is typically the first step in the process and involves completing a bachelor's degree with a focus on the premedical sciences or a related field.
2. Clear the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) exam: The MCAT is a standardized test that is required for admission to most medical schools in the United States and Canada. It assesses problem-solving, critical thinking, and knowledge of natural, behavioral, and social science concepts and principles.
3. Join a medical school and complete the necessary training: After passing the MCAT, you will need to apply to medical schools and complete a rigorous program of study that includes classroom instruction, laboratory work, and clinical rotations.
4. Pass the initial two components of the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE): The USMLE is a three-step examination for medical licensure in the United States. The first two components, Step 1 and Step 2, assess a physician's ability to apply knowledge, concepts, and principles, and to determine fundamental patient-centered skills that are important in health and disease.
5. Select your area of specialization and commence your residency program: After completing medical school, aspiring doctors must apply for and complete a residency program in their chosen specialty. This typically involves several years of supervised clinical training in a hospital or clinic setting.