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how to become a psychiatrist step by step?
How do you become a psychiatrist, and what college major and courses should a student take to prepare for a career in psychiatry?
what are the main steps in the process?
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3 answers
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Karin’s Answer
Hi Keny,
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor. So you need to go to Medical School. To get into Medical School, you first need to earn a bachelors.
So, to start from scratch:
In high-school, you should focus on your math and science subjects, biology, chemistry, math, physics. Take AP courses if you can. If you have the option to take any health related subjects like psychology or anatomy, take those as well. Take English to improve your communication skills. If you will work in an area with a large Hispanic population, taking Spanish will be an asset.
Colleges like Houston City College, University of Houston or University of Texas have dual enrollment programs that allow you to earn college credits while you are still in high-school. You can use that to get some gen ed classes out of the way and save some tuition money. Pay attention if credits will transfer to your 4-year school though.
https://www.hccs.edu/programs/dual-credit/
https://www.me.uh.edu/undergraduate/departmental-guidance/admission-option-academically-superior-high-school-students
https://onramps.utexas.edu/
The goal is to keep up a high GPA. It's also important that you have extracurriculars. You need experience in the medical field, so look for internships and volunteer hours in hospitals, with doctors or old age homes.
After you graduate from high-school, you'll go to university to earn an undergraduate degree (4 years). You can choose any major you would enjoy, it doesn't have to be medical or even sciency. You also have to pass the pre-requisite courses for Medical School. I left a link to admission requirements for Harvard Medical School for you below as an example. Every Medical School has slightly different requirements, so make sure you get the correct information for schools you would consider. Many students take a biological or chemical major because it includes many of the pre-requisite courses. But for psychiatry, a bachelors in psychology would also be a great foundation.
During your undergraduate studies or during a gap year, you need to take the MCAT and achieve a high score. You also need to keep working/volunteering in medical settings. Get some research experience in as well if you can. You'll need recommendation letters to submit with your application, and someone who worked with you can write a meaningful letter.
With the MCAT, your pre-requisites and hopefully a high GPA in hand, you are ready to apply to Medical School. If you get accepted, you'll attend Med School for 4 years. The first 2 years in Med School are mostly classroom work. During the last 2 years, you'll do clinical rotations and get exposed to different specialties.
To become a psychiatrist, you then need to match into a psychiatry residency (4 years) and finally pass the board exam.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
https://www.usnews.com/education/best-global-universities/psychiatry-psychology
https://hms.harvard.edu/education-admissions/md-program/admissions
https://www.psychiatry.org/residents-medical-students/medical-students/choosing-a-career-in-psychiatry
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor. So you need to go to Medical School. To get into Medical School, you first need to earn a bachelors.
So, to start from scratch:
In high-school, you should focus on your math and science subjects, biology, chemistry, math, physics. Take AP courses if you can. If you have the option to take any health related subjects like psychology or anatomy, take those as well. Take English to improve your communication skills. If you will work in an area with a large Hispanic population, taking Spanish will be an asset.
Colleges like Houston City College, University of Houston or University of Texas have dual enrollment programs that allow you to earn college credits while you are still in high-school. You can use that to get some gen ed classes out of the way and save some tuition money. Pay attention if credits will transfer to your 4-year school though.
https://www.hccs.edu/programs/dual-credit/
https://www.me.uh.edu/undergraduate/departmental-guidance/admission-option-academically-superior-high-school-students
https://onramps.utexas.edu/
The goal is to keep up a high GPA. It's also important that you have extracurriculars. You need experience in the medical field, so look for internships and volunteer hours in hospitals, with doctors or old age homes.
After you graduate from high-school, you'll go to university to earn an undergraduate degree (4 years). You can choose any major you would enjoy, it doesn't have to be medical or even sciency. You also have to pass the pre-requisite courses for Medical School. I left a link to admission requirements for Harvard Medical School for you below as an example. Every Medical School has slightly different requirements, so make sure you get the correct information for schools you would consider. Many students take a biological or chemical major because it includes many of the pre-requisite courses. But for psychiatry, a bachelors in psychology would also be a great foundation.
During your undergraduate studies or during a gap year, you need to take the MCAT and achieve a high score. You also need to keep working/volunteering in medical settings. Get some research experience in as well if you can. You'll need recommendation letters to submit with your application, and someone who worked with you can write a meaningful letter.
With the MCAT, your pre-requisites and hopefully a high GPA in hand, you are ready to apply to Medical School. If you get accepted, you'll attend Med School for 4 years. The first 2 years in Med School are mostly classroom work. During the last 2 years, you'll do clinical rotations and get exposed to different specialties.
To become a psychiatrist, you then need to match into a psychiatry residency (4 years) and finally pass the board exam.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Karin recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Faiza’s Answer
Greetings! That’s an exceptionally insightful inquiry, one that many students ponder early in their academic journey, so rest assured, you are not alone in this contemplation.
An undergraduate degree frequently serves not only as the cornerstone of your primary career but also as an opportunity to delve into a broader spectrum of interests. In numerous instances, your chosen major cultivates essential skills such as critical thinking, effective communication, research acumen, and adept problem-solving, that are applicable across a diverse array of fields, rather than being confined to a singular vocation. For instance, an individual who studies psychology might pursue careers in counseling, marketing, or human resources; a biology major might find themselves in the realms of healthcare, research, or even science communication.
If you possess a clear vision of your ultimate career aspiration, it is prudent to tailor your degree towards that trajectory. However, if you remain in the exploratory phase, community college presents an excellent opportunity to engage in general education courses and electives that introduce you to various disciplines. You may unearth a field that ignites your passion, or discover how to integrate your academic pursuits with a secondary interest that could evolve into a fallback or complementary career.
In essence, your undergraduate degree molds the way you think, learn, and resolve quandaries, thereby unlocking a multitude of career possibilities. Concentrate on honing your skills, pursuing your curiosity, and aligning your studies with the aspects of your future that truly inspire you.
An undergraduate degree frequently serves not only as the cornerstone of your primary career but also as an opportunity to delve into a broader spectrum of interests. In numerous instances, your chosen major cultivates essential skills such as critical thinking, effective communication, research acumen, and adept problem-solving, that are applicable across a diverse array of fields, rather than being confined to a singular vocation. For instance, an individual who studies psychology might pursue careers in counseling, marketing, or human resources; a biology major might find themselves in the realms of healthcare, research, or even science communication.
If you possess a clear vision of your ultimate career aspiration, it is prudent to tailor your degree towards that trajectory. However, if you remain in the exploratory phase, community college presents an excellent opportunity to engage in general education courses and electives that introduce you to various disciplines. You may unearth a field that ignites your passion, or discover how to integrate your academic pursuits with a secondary interest that could evolve into a fallback or complementary career.
In essence, your undergraduate degree molds the way you think, learn, and resolve quandaries, thereby unlocking a multitude of career possibilities. Concentrate on honing your skills, pursuing your curiosity, and aligning your studies with the aspects of your future that truly inspire you.
Updated
Luis Diego’s Answer
Hello Keny,
As Karin mentioned in her response, you must first study general medicine before you can specialize in psychiatry. In this link, you’ll find some of the top universities where you can pursue the career you’re passionate about: https://www.usnews.com/education/best-global-universities/psychiatry-psychology
I wish you all the best and congratulate you—psychiatry is a field that requires deep empathy for patients. It’s also important to stay up to date through courses, ideally offered by your local psychiatric association, as the field is constantly evolving. What works for one patient today may not work for another tomorrow, so knowing how to navigate these changes is key.
Also, be cautious when prescribing medication. Always review the patient’s medical history thoroughly to avoid causing harm instead of helping. In my country, Costa Rica, I’ve noticed that doctors tend to prescribe medication more often than offering therapy. Depending on the patient’s condition, it may be healthier to refer them to a psychologist who can help them manage their challenges without relying solely on medication. Many barbiturates are highly addictive, and overuse can end up doing more harm than good.
As Karin mentioned in her response, you must first study general medicine before you can specialize in psychiatry. In this link, you’ll find some of the top universities where you can pursue the career you’re passionate about: https://www.usnews.com/education/best-global-universities/psychiatry-psychology
I wish you all the best and congratulate you—psychiatry is a field that requires deep empathy for patients. It’s also important to stay up to date through courses, ideally offered by your local psychiatric association, as the field is constantly evolving. What works for one patient today may not work for another tomorrow, so knowing how to navigate these changes is key.
Also, be cautious when prescribing medication. Always review the patient’s medical history thoroughly to avoid causing harm instead of helping. In my country, Costa Rica, I’ve noticed that doctors tend to prescribe medication more often than offering therapy. Depending on the patient’s condition, it may be healthier to refer them to a psychologist who can help them manage their challenges without relying solely on medication. Many barbiturates are highly addictive, and overuse can end up doing more harm than good.