Andrea
How long to become a pediatrician?
I want to get into the field of medicine. Is pediatrics a good field to get into and if so, whats the process like to become one? How many years would it take to become a fully qualified pediatrician. What other jobs would you recommend in medicine which are shorter courses?
#pediatrics #pediatrician #doctor
4 answers
Kess French
Kess’s Answer
Great question! You'll need to complete medical school to become a pediatrician. Here is the general breakdown:
1. Complete high school
2. Research what college you want to go to for your bachelor's degree. Most medical schools will consider any degree as long as you've completed the prerequisites for the med school.
(I have a bachelor's in biomedical science with minors in chemistry and sociology, and my friends in medical school have English, Russian history, and Psychology degrees.)
3. Take as many classes as you can for your degree at your community college to save money (but make sure they transfer to a university)! Apply for financial aid through FAFSA. Some community colleges have programs to get you from that community college and into a nearby university.
4. Apply for and graduate with at least a bachelor's degree.
5. Prepare for and take the MCAT (medical college admissions test).
6. Prepare for and apply to medical schools (both MD (medical doctor) and DO (doctor of osteopathic medicine) can become pediatricians).
7. Complete 4 years of medical school (the first 2 years are book learning, second two years are clinical rotations). Licensing exams are done after the 2nd year of medical school and another after the 3rd year. Then the 3rd one is done during residency.
8. Apply for and attend the pediatric residency - another 3 years of training if you want to do general pediatrics. (Take your 3rd major exam here.)
GOOD LUCK! YOU CAN DO IT!!!
You might also consider pediatric nursing (RN is probably the best way to go), counseling, or one of a myriad of different options.
Sheila Jordan
Sheila’s Answer
Hello Andrea:
Pediatricians are doctors who manage the health of your child, including physical, behavior, and mental health issues. They're trained to diagnose and treat childhood illnesses, from minor health problems to serious diseases. See link below to WebMD:
https://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/pick-pediatrician-16/what-is-a-pediatrician
The journey to become a Pediatrician is a long one but, it is achievable. My son is currently a resident Pediatrician; so I am writing this comment according to his experience. Here are some key steps to consider:
1) Make high scores on the SAT & ACT exams
2) Select a college/university that offers at least "Biological Science" (you don't have to major in Pre-Med, Math, etc.)
3) Score well on the MCAT exam the "first time". Retake it if necessary
4) Apply to "all" the medical schools of interest
5) 4 years of Medical School
5 a) Find an Internship (paid or volunteer) over a summer
5 b) DO NOT limit yourself to where you would like to get residency Matched
6) 3 to 4 years of Residency (this comes after Medical School)
6 a) Fellowship is 3 to 4 years (this is where you Specialize in, which is after residency)
This is a long and expensive journey. I wish you the best on your path.
~ Sheila
Sheila recommends the following next steps:
Deepak Sharma
Deepak’s Answer
Hi Deepak, what is MBSS?
Gurpreet Lally, Admin
Estelle Archer
Estelle’s Answer
Pick a major that interests you so you don't mind devoting a majority of your hours to studying. You will need to get good grades in college in order to apply for medical school.
Medical school takes another 4 years. The first 2 years are in class for the most part and the last 2 years are clinical rotations.
Pediatrics residency is another 3 years, but you will be receiving a salary during these years as a physician in training.
Overall, consider 11 years after high school. This is definitely worth the investment because being a physician is a great career with so many opportunities.