4 answers
Veronica
Student
Hesperia, California
1
Question
Asked
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The Path to and Residency into Forensic Pathology?
Hi, this is my first time asking for any advice so bear with me.
I'm a junior in high school and I'm very concerned about how residency and the process of becoming a forensic pathologist works.
Currently I'm not really set on a specific career that I want as I'm passionate about a variety of interests but one thing I'm interested in is being a forensic pathologist. My only concern is that apparently after medical school, you don't even get to choose what residency you want? I'm specifically interested in being a forensic pathologist as it pertains to medicine but also... non-living patients lol. I'm not very passionate about public service jobs and I think I'd be very unhappy if I was put into a residency where a constant state of hospitality is expected (Not saying hospitality wouldn't be required as a forensic pathologist but definitely not as much). So, I'm very interested on how this would work!!
Also, my school record is fine, but I don't think it really outshines anyone else. I have never received a grade under an A, but also I've only had one AP class (AP Eng Lang & Composition) and am currently only taking one math college class. I also don't do any extracurriculars. :c I feel like this could definitely hinder any process of me trying to get into a good college, so any advice and explanations would be so-so-so appreciated. :^)
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4 answers
GLORY CHIBUIKE
Clinical Dietitian
7
Answers
Lagos, Nigeria
Updated
GLORY’s Answer
Pre-med / science background
Medical School (M.D., MBBS, or equivalent)
Licensing Exam
Residency in Anatomic/Clinical Pathology (3–4 years)
Fellowship in Forensic Pathology (1 year)
Board Certification + Practice in forensic labs, hospitals, law enforcement agencies, or academic cent
Medical School (M.D., MBBS, or equivalent)
Licensing Exam
Residency in Anatomic/Clinical Pathology (3–4 years)
Fellowship in Forensic Pathology (1 year)
Board Certification + Practice in forensic labs, hospitals, law enforcement agencies, or academic cent
Thank you! :)
Veronica
Henry McNett
Forensic pathologist
1
Answer
Reno, Nevada
Updated
Henry’s Answer
So after medical school, you would hopefully “match” into a residency in either combined anatomic/clinical pathology or anatomic pathology only which are 4 and 3 years respectively. Then you would complete a separate one year long fellowship in forensic pathology.
For now, concentrate on getting into undergrad and doing well so you can get into a medical school.
For now, concentrate on getting into undergrad and doing well so you can get into a medical school.
When we "match" is it some sort of request system? As in, I'll request for either of those and it's up to them to see if I'm fit for the job? Or is the residency program completely deciding for us? Thank you!
Veronica
Hi Veronica,
there are basically 2 steps: After residency positions have been announced, you apply to programs that interest you on the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). The programs that you apply to will review applications and may invite you for interviews.
The National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) opens later. You submit a ranked list of positions you would accept. The residency programs submit a ranked list of candidates they would like to have. The algorithm goes to work and tries to place candidates and fill positions.
In a third step, unfilled positions and unmatched candidates are matched in the Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program (SOAP).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Resident_Matching_Program
https://www.nrmp.org
Karin P.
Sal Mignano
Pathologist
5
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Sal’s Answer
As the others have said, entry into forensic pathology requires:
1. Undergrad degree (doesn’t matter the major but there are certain prereqs that need to be met that vary slightly from school to school). ~4 years.
2. Getting a medical degree (md/do). ~4 years.
3. Residency: anatomic pathology (AP) or anatomic/clinical pathology (AP/cp) or anatomic/neuropathology (AP/np) residency. 3-4 years.
4. Fellowship: 1 year in forensic pathology.
You choose your residency and apply for spots in that field through a process called the match. If you don’t “match,” you “scramble” into an unfilled spot. Pathology isn’t usually very competitive. But unless you’re in the military (and even then, not quite true), no one forces you to do a particular residency.
There’s a misconception that pathologists don’t talk to people. Maybe not patients, but we have other people whom we talk to. For hospital pathologists, it’s other doctors (hence why pathologists were called the “doctor’s doctor”). For forensics, it’s law enforcement, lawyers, and the deceased’s families. Most—but not all—forensic pathologists work for county governments, so there are some public-facing elements to that. So interpersonal skills are important.
As mentioned in other posts, there are other forensic careers, including scene investigators (lots of people interaction) and crime lab techs (more lab benchwork). The latter usually has heavy emphasis on chemistry and molecular biology. Both are BS-MS level jobs.
As a high schooler, I think the focus is first getting into a decent college and find a major that suits you and your interests. Shadowing professionals is also helpful. Many hospitals and county medical examiner offices offer internships/observerships.
1. Undergrad degree (doesn’t matter the major but there are certain prereqs that need to be met that vary slightly from school to school). ~4 years.
2. Getting a medical degree (md/do). ~4 years.
3. Residency: anatomic pathology (AP) or anatomic/clinical pathology (AP/cp) or anatomic/neuropathology (AP/np) residency. 3-4 years.
4. Fellowship: 1 year in forensic pathology.
You choose your residency and apply for spots in that field through a process called the match. If you don’t “match,” you “scramble” into an unfilled spot. Pathology isn’t usually very competitive. But unless you’re in the military (and even then, not quite true), no one forces you to do a particular residency.
There’s a misconception that pathologists don’t talk to people. Maybe not patients, but we have other people whom we talk to. For hospital pathologists, it’s other doctors (hence why pathologists were called the “doctor’s doctor”). For forensics, it’s law enforcement, lawyers, and the deceased’s families. Most—but not all—forensic pathologists work for county governments, so there are some public-facing elements to that. So interpersonal skills are important.
As mentioned in other posts, there are other forensic careers, including scene investigators (lots of people interaction) and crime lab techs (more lab benchwork). The latter usually has heavy emphasis on chemistry and molecular biology. Both are BS-MS level jobs.
As a high schooler, I think the focus is first getting into a decent college and find a major that suits you and your interests. Shadowing professionals is also helpful. Many hospitals and county medical examiner offices offer internships/observerships.
Thank you!! This was very detailed, and I apologize for seeing this so late.
Veronica
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach
1091
Answers
Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Veronica,
As you have discovered, the path to becoming a forensic pathologist goes through medical school and it's a long path (minimum of 13 years). Matching into a pathology residency is low to moderately competitive, so your chances are pretty good as long as you do ok in medical school. The residency in pathology (4 years) would be followed by a fellowship in forensic pathology (1 year).
If you don't enjoy working with living patients though, this might not be the path for you. Just getting into medical school requires many hours of volunteering and work experience in medical settings. Year 3 and 4 of medical school are clinical rotations where you would be expected to work with living patients.
I would recommend that you reflect a bit on what specifically draws you to a career as a forensic pathologist. Are you keen to do autopsies, meaning the operating part? Or is it more the aspect of solving a riddle and finding a cause of death?
I found some YouTubes for you showing the daily of forensic pathologists:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ni2Uidptf5E
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkbgdGKjY6U
Instead of forcing yourself through medical school, have a look at forensics. You can start out in forensics with just a bachelors degree in one of the biological or chemical majors or a specialized forensics undergraduate degree. You can then do a masters to specialize in e.g. toxicology or pathology. It will probably lead to a more lab-based career if you want to focus on the medical aspects of forensics.
You don't need to decide on the exact path you want to take just yet. Enroll in an undergraduate program that you are interested in and that you will enjoy like biology, chemistry, biochemistry or forensic science.
If you want to pursue medical school after that, you can. Just keep in mind that you must pass the required pre-requisites and fulfill the required hours of medical experience. If you would at that point rather pursue a masters in a forensic specialty, that will also be open to you. Get some volunteering, internships and research in during your undergrad years so you have some first-hand experience to help you decide.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/forensic-scientist-education-requirements
As you have discovered, the path to becoming a forensic pathologist goes through medical school and it's a long path (minimum of 13 years). Matching into a pathology residency is low to moderately competitive, so your chances are pretty good as long as you do ok in medical school. The residency in pathology (4 years) would be followed by a fellowship in forensic pathology (1 year).
If you don't enjoy working with living patients though, this might not be the path for you. Just getting into medical school requires many hours of volunteering and work experience in medical settings. Year 3 and 4 of medical school are clinical rotations where you would be expected to work with living patients.
I would recommend that you reflect a bit on what specifically draws you to a career as a forensic pathologist. Are you keen to do autopsies, meaning the operating part? Or is it more the aspect of solving a riddle and finding a cause of death?
I found some YouTubes for you showing the daily of forensic pathologists:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ni2Uidptf5E
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkbgdGKjY6U
Instead of forcing yourself through medical school, have a look at forensics. You can start out in forensics with just a bachelors degree in one of the biological or chemical majors or a specialized forensics undergraduate degree. You can then do a masters to specialize in e.g. toxicology or pathology. It will probably lead to a more lab-based career if you want to focus on the medical aspects of forensics.
You don't need to decide on the exact path you want to take just yet. Enroll in an undergraduate program that you are interested in and that you will enjoy like biology, chemistry, biochemistry or forensic science.
If you want to pursue medical school after that, you can. Just keep in mind that you must pass the required pre-requisites and fulfill the required hours of medical experience. If you would at that point rather pursue a masters in a forensic specialty, that will also be open to you. Get some volunteering, internships and research in during your undergrad years so you have some first-hand experience to help you decide.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Karin recommends the following next steps:
I echo what Karin said.
James Hanson
Thank you!! This was incredibly detailed.
Veronica
You are very welcome!
Karin P.