4 answers
Thy
Student
Wynne, Arkansas
1
Question
Updated
395 views
What are the best steps I can take in high school and college to prepare for a career in the medical field, and how do I figure out which program or majors are the right fit for me ?
I am currently a high school senior so any information about college will help. Thank you
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4 answers
James Garvin
Customer Success Manager at Okta, Inc.
34
Answers
Littleton, Colorado
Updated
James’s Answer
The medical field offers many exciting paths, whether you want to become a physician, surgeon, nurse, physician assistant, pharmacist, or therapist. Start by choosing which role excites you the most.
Wondering how to reach your goal? Here's a simple guide:
High School:
- Develop strong study habits.
- Make sure you enjoy science and helping others.
Academics:
- Focus on core sciences: Take Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. Advanced courses like AP or IB are great if available.
- Math skills are crucial, especially Calculus and Statistics.
- Communication is key, so work on English and Humanities, as medical schools value these skills.
Extracurricular Activities:
- Gain clinical exposure to understand the medical field better.
- Try shadowing a doctor to see their daily work.
- Volunteer regularly at hospitals or nursing homes, even a few hours a week can make a big difference.
- Join health-related clubs like HOSA to connect with others interested in healthcare.
Summer:
- If you're sure about becoming a doctor, explore BS/MD programs that offer a combined college and medical school path.
College:
- Your GPA matters a lot in college.
- Premed is a track, not a major. Choose any major you enjoy, as long as you complete the required science courses.
- Common prerequisites include Biology, Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physics, Biochemistry, Psychology/Sociology, and Calculus/Statistics.
Consider how much schooling you're ready for:
- 11–15 years: Become a physician (MD or DO) if you want deep scientific knowledge and leadership, and you're okay with a longer education path.
- 6–7 years: Choose a career as a Physician Assistant or Physical Therapist for a good balance of work and life, with less debt.
- 4–6 years: Pursue nursing as a BSN or NP if you value patient care and connection, with high autonomy and opportunities to lead your own practice.
Each path is rewarding in its own way, so choose what fits best with your passion and goals.
Research MD/DO programs
Shadow a medical professional
Volunteer in the medical world
Wondering how to reach your goal? Here's a simple guide:
High School:
- Develop strong study habits.
- Make sure you enjoy science and helping others.
Academics:
- Focus on core sciences: Take Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. Advanced courses like AP or IB are great if available.
- Math skills are crucial, especially Calculus and Statistics.
- Communication is key, so work on English and Humanities, as medical schools value these skills.
Extracurricular Activities:
- Gain clinical exposure to understand the medical field better.
- Try shadowing a doctor to see their daily work.
- Volunteer regularly at hospitals or nursing homes, even a few hours a week can make a big difference.
- Join health-related clubs like HOSA to connect with others interested in healthcare.
Summer:
- If you're sure about becoming a doctor, explore BS/MD programs that offer a combined college and medical school path.
College:
- Your GPA matters a lot in college.
- Premed is a track, not a major. Choose any major you enjoy, as long as you complete the required science courses.
- Common prerequisites include Biology, Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physics, Biochemistry, Psychology/Sociology, and Calculus/Statistics.
Consider how much schooling you're ready for:
- 11–15 years: Become a physician (MD or DO) if you want deep scientific knowledge and leadership, and you're okay with a longer education path.
- 6–7 years: Choose a career as a Physician Assistant or Physical Therapist for a good balance of work and life, with less debt.
- 4–6 years: Pursue nursing as a BSN or NP if you value patient care and connection, with high autonomy and opportunities to lead your own practice.
Each path is rewarding in its own way, so choose what fits best with your passion and goals.
James recommends the following next steps:
James Hanson
Pediatric Intensive Care Physician; Consultant
160
Answers
Oakland, California
Updated
James’s Answer
Fortunately, one can become any type of healthcare professional beginning with most any major, as long as you hit the prerequisite courses. Do speak to a college counselor (begin with your high school counselor) about what courses are necessary, as these may change a bit year to year). I found that, as a biology major, I was well-prepared for most medical school classes, so there may be an advantage to that, but it is very important that you take classes that interest and excite you, even if they are not the core pre-med curriculum. I have physician friends who majored in history, philosophy, psychology, and even English. No matter what you do, you will need a very strong GPA to get into any medical school.
Medical schools care about having students who are well-rounded individuals, those who show leadership traits, and those who have demonstrated through their work that they have solid core values aligned with the Hippocratic oath of putting patients ahead of yourself.
So, try to be a team captain, an elected school officer, the leader of some volunteer group, etc.
You should try to find opportunities to experience the many different health care jobs as you can. I think getting an EMT or MA can be a helpful way of doing this - and helps get you a job to offset the costs of education while you gain experience. I was luckily able to follow my older brother as he was a primary care physician in a small town. That helped me a lot in deciding that, indeed, I wanted to go through the rigors of medical training.
Medical schools care about having students who are well-rounded individuals, those who show leadership traits, and those who have demonstrated through their work that they have solid core values aligned with the Hippocratic oath of putting patients ahead of yourself.
So, try to be a team captain, an elected school officer, the leader of some volunteer group, etc.
You should try to find opportunities to experience the many different health care jobs as you can. I think getting an EMT or MA can be a helpful way of doing this - and helps get you a job to offset the costs of education while you gain experience. I was luckily able to follow my older brother as he was a primary care physician in a small town. That helped me a lot in deciding that, indeed, I wanted to go through the rigors of medical training.
Rita Chuang
Physician
259
Answers
Henderson, Nevada
Updated
Rita’s Answer
This is your path:
4 years high school
4 years college
4 years medical school
3 years-??? internship/residency/fellowship
Most people on the premed tract major in science but that's not a requirement. It does make the first semester/quarter of medical school a little easier but not much.
I recommend anyone interested in the medical field to work as a medical scribe. Unfortunately with AI, I think the jobs are going to disappear. If you are willing, I would even volunteer to work as a medical scribe. Why? First, you see what doctors actually do. You see their interaction with patients. You learn how to write a note. You type in orders etc. When you are in medical school, the subject will be much more familiar and easier to learn. I think you also learn how doctors deal with patients. I think that's a very important skill. I challenge you to start work when the doctor comes into the office and not when you are assigned to start work. I challenge you to leave the office when the doctor leaves the office and not when the last patient is seen. This will prepare you for what your life will be like.
Medical schools usually want excellent GPA, MCAT scores, research, volunteer etc. I think it's great to volunteer at a hospital etc but unfortunately, that doesn't tell you what a doctor does. I would do things that make your resume stand out.
I also want you to really ask yourself why do I want to be a doctor. When I was young (elementary school), I wanted to be a doctor. Now that I'm retired, I realized, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. It's more challenging than I thought. I realized, besides learning medicine, it's also very important to know yourself and your personality and learn how to deal with people. You also need to learn how to set boundaries with patients which is not easy.
If you can shadow a doctor, that would be great but honestly, I would not allow a high school student in my exam rooms. The things I discuss with patients are very personal and I feel they would feel uncomfortable. It's easier if you are a scribe because it looks like you are working in the office. When I shadowed a doctor (during medical school, internship and residency), my mind would wander so it's better to be working so you are concentrating.
4 years high school
4 years college
4 years medical school
3 years-??? internship/residency/fellowship
Most people on the premed tract major in science but that's not a requirement. It does make the first semester/quarter of medical school a little easier but not much.
I recommend anyone interested in the medical field to work as a medical scribe. Unfortunately with AI, I think the jobs are going to disappear. If you are willing, I would even volunteer to work as a medical scribe. Why? First, you see what doctors actually do. You see their interaction with patients. You learn how to write a note. You type in orders etc. When you are in medical school, the subject will be much more familiar and easier to learn. I think you also learn how doctors deal with patients. I think that's a very important skill. I challenge you to start work when the doctor comes into the office and not when you are assigned to start work. I challenge you to leave the office when the doctor leaves the office and not when the last patient is seen. This will prepare you for what your life will be like.
Medical schools usually want excellent GPA, MCAT scores, research, volunteer etc. I think it's great to volunteer at a hospital etc but unfortunately, that doesn't tell you what a doctor does. I would do things that make your resume stand out.
I also want you to really ask yourself why do I want to be a doctor. When I was young (elementary school), I wanted to be a doctor. Now that I'm retired, I realized, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. It's more challenging than I thought. I realized, besides learning medicine, it's also very important to know yourself and your personality and learn how to deal with people. You also need to learn how to set boundaries with patients which is not easy.
If you can shadow a doctor, that would be great but honestly, I would not allow a high school student in my exam rooms. The things I discuss with patients are very personal and I feel they would feel uncomfortable. It's easier if you are a scribe because it looks like you are working in the office. When I shadowed a doctor (during medical school, internship and residency), my mind would wander so it's better to be working so you are concentrating.
Evan Young
Respiratory therapist
9
Answers
Seguin, Texas
Updated
Evan’s Answer
Seek opportunities to shadow healthcare professionals and get a feel for their daily life. See which careers are ones you would be interested in and willing to do day in and day out. You can also get your cna or emt during freshman year of college to truly see what parts of patient care you love and what you could do without.