4 answers
Joshua
Student
Elyria, Ohio
1
Question
Updated
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Question about schooling
I am a student who does good in school i take collage classes as a junior at high school I have a 3.45 GPA but i'm trying to bring it up to get a 3.5 i want to go to OSU for my undergrad and medical school to become an anesthesiologist what are my chances at succeeding and is it a good job to have
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4 answers
Rita Chuang
Physician
305
Answers
Henderson, Nevada
Updated
Rita’s Answer
I agree with Dr. Hanson's response above. When I was in high school, I had 2 Bs total from 6th to 12th grade (my school was 6th grade to 12th grade) which included at least 2 AP classes every year starting from 9th grade. When I went to college, it was harder but my GPA was still pretty good about 3.7-3.8 I believe (we had a different grading system). Even with that score, it was difficult to get into medical school.
Anesthesiology is very competitive. When you get into medical school, you are competing with the best of the best. As he mentioned, DO is not a bad way to go however if you want to get into anesthesiology, you are going to compete with the MD's and I feel the residency programs favor MD's to DO's. There's the DO board exams and the MD board exams. Several DO's that want to get into competitive fields end up taking both board exams so the residency programs can compare their scores with other MDs.
As a primary care physician, I did burn out. I started work at 6:30 AM M-F. I ate breakfast while review labs, answering questions on the computer portal, refilling medications and reviewing documents. I worked from 8-4 pm seeing patients but after that, I was finishing up reviewing more labs, radiology/consultant reports, answering more questions, and refilling medications. On Saturday and Sunday, I would review labs, answer questions, refill medications on the portal so that Monday was not as difficult. This is not an easy job. It is not 8-5 M-F but I had my own practice. I burned out. While building my practice, I worked 7 days a week moonlighting. I would work 8 AM-8 PM on Saturday and 7 PM - 7 AM Sunday in the Urgent care, Thursday nights 5 pm to 7 AM in workman's comp, and any other moonlighting job while building my practice. I worked 7 days a week straight for about 2 years. I stopped those jobs when my practice could sustain itself. Then I worked 8 years without vacation and took only 1 personal day off (not including weekends). I burned out. I retired at age 53 years old and I will not go back to primary care again as a sole owner.
Anesthesiology is very competitive. When you get into medical school, you are competing with the best of the best. As he mentioned, DO is not a bad way to go however if you want to get into anesthesiology, you are going to compete with the MD's and I feel the residency programs favor MD's to DO's. There's the DO board exams and the MD board exams. Several DO's that want to get into competitive fields end up taking both board exams so the residency programs can compare their scores with other MDs.
As a primary care physician, I did burn out. I started work at 6:30 AM M-F. I ate breakfast while review labs, answering questions on the computer portal, refilling medications and reviewing documents. I worked from 8-4 pm seeing patients but after that, I was finishing up reviewing more labs, radiology/consultant reports, answering more questions, and refilling medications. On Saturday and Sunday, I would review labs, answer questions, refill medications on the portal so that Monday was not as difficult. This is not an easy job. It is not 8-5 M-F but I had my own practice. I burned out. While building my practice, I worked 7 days a week moonlighting. I would work 8 AM-8 PM on Saturday and 7 PM - 7 AM Sunday in the Urgent care, Thursday nights 5 pm to 7 AM in workman's comp, and any other moonlighting job while building my practice. I worked 7 days a week straight for about 2 years. I stopped those jobs when my practice could sustain itself. Then I worked 8 years without vacation and took only 1 personal day off (not including weekends). I burned out. I retired at age 53 years old and I will not go back to primary care again as a sole owner.
James Hanson
Pediatric Intensive Care Physician; Consultant
257
Answers
Oakland, California
Updated
James’s Answer
It is very hard to get into medical school without a nearly 4.0 GPA. Most medical students apply to multiple universities and medical schools to enhance their chances, and some really good students (who become excellent physicians) still have to go to international medical schools. Osteopathic schools are another excellent choice. As you work hard to continue to improve your GPA, be sure you also take care of yourself. Physician burnout is a major problem, so you should develop good habits early on to get good nutrition, excercise, and enough sleep.
You will be tempted to use artificial intelligence along the way. Be wary. Letting AI do your work for you prevents you from developing your own cognitive abilities
You will be tempted to use artificial intelligence along the way. Be wary. Letting AI do your work for you prevents you from developing your own cognitive abilities
Morgan Adams
Healthcare Administration
60
Answers
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Updated
Morgan’s Answer
You’re already on a strong path. Taking college classes in high school and maintaining a 3.45 GPA shows dedication, and raising it to a 3.5 will make your application even stronger. Getting into Ohio State University for undergrad is very achievable with continued effort, and from there you can prepare for medical school. Becoming an anesthesiologist is a challenging but rewarding career that requires many years of education and training, but it offers strong job stability and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on patients’ care. Keep focusing on your grades, science courses, and gaining healthcare-related experience to strengthen your chances of success.
AZIZUR RAHMAN
Technical Representative in hp and Mathematics Teacher for 7th–10th grade students.
22
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
AZIZUR’s Answer
Hey Joshua,
That's awesome that you're so driven and already taking college classes! Balancing high school and college is no small feat. Let's break down your questions:
Getting into OSU and Medical School
Your Chances: With a 3.45 GPA and college classes as a junior, you're building a strong foundation. OSU, especially for competitive programs, will look at a holistic application:
GPA: Aiming for that 3.5 is a great goal. Every bit helps! They'll also consider the rigor of your courses (like those college classes).
Standardized Tests: Your SAT/ACT scores will be important. High scores can help offset a slightly lower GPA.
Extracurriculars: What you do outside of academics matters a lot. Leadership roles, volunteer work (especially in healthcare settings), research, and unique interests can make your application stand out.
Essays/Recommendations: A compelling personal statement and strong letters of recommendation can highlight your passion and potential.
Medical School: This is a long-term goal, and the path is rigorous!
Undergrad Performance: You'll need to maintain a very high GPA in your undergraduate studies (often 3.7+ is competitive for med school) and excel in science courses.
MCAT: The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is crucial. Your score on this exam will be a major factor.
Clinical Experience: Volunteering or working in hospitals, clinics, or research labs to gain hands-on patient experience is essential.
Shadowing: Spending time with physicians, including anesthesiologists, will give you insight into the profession.
Research: Participating in research projects can strengthen your application.
Many students don't get into their dream medical school on the first try, so having backup plans and being prepared to reapply or consider other healthcare fields is wise.
Anesthesiologist as a Career
Becoming an anesthesiologist is a demanding but highly rewarding path.
Education and Training: It requires roughly 12-14 years after high school: 4 years of undergrad, 4 years of medical school, and then 4-5 years of anesthesiology residency, often followed by a fellowship for subspecialization.
Job Description: Anesthesiologists are medical doctors who administer anesthesia and manage pain before, during, and after surgery or other medical procedures. They monitor vital signs, manage critical care, and are often involved in pain management clinics. It's a role with immense responsibility, as they are essentially maintaining a patient's life support during surgery.
"Is it a good job to have?"
High Demand & Compensation: Anesthesiologists are consistently among the highest-paid medical specialists, reflecting the extensive training and critical nature of the job. The job outlook is stable, with projected growth in employment.
Impact: You play a vital role in patient safety and comfort, directly influencing positive surgical outcomes.
Intellectual Challenge: The work requires a deep understanding of physiology, pharmacology, and critical care, offering continuous intellectual stimulation.
Work-Life Balance: This can vary significantly depending on the practice setting (e.g., private practice vs. academic institution, type of hospital). Some roles can involve long hours, on-call duties, and high-stress situations. However, compared to some other surgical specialties, it can sometimes offer a more predictable schedule once established.
Stress: It's a high-stakes profession where even small errors can have severe consequences, leading to significant stress and pressure.
Overall, if you're passionate about medicine, enjoy complex problem-solving, and can handle high-pressure environments, it could be an incredibly fulfilling career! Keep up the excellent work in school, focus on gaining diverse experiences, and keep exploring to see if anesthesiology truly aligns with your interests.
That's awesome that you're so driven and already taking college classes! Balancing high school and college is no small feat. Let's break down your questions:
Getting into OSU and Medical School
Your Chances: With a 3.45 GPA and college classes as a junior, you're building a strong foundation. OSU, especially for competitive programs, will look at a holistic application:
GPA: Aiming for that 3.5 is a great goal. Every bit helps! They'll also consider the rigor of your courses (like those college classes).
Standardized Tests: Your SAT/ACT scores will be important. High scores can help offset a slightly lower GPA.
Extracurriculars: What you do outside of academics matters a lot. Leadership roles, volunteer work (especially in healthcare settings), research, and unique interests can make your application stand out.
Essays/Recommendations: A compelling personal statement and strong letters of recommendation can highlight your passion and potential.
Medical School: This is a long-term goal, and the path is rigorous!
Undergrad Performance: You'll need to maintain a very high GPA in your undergraduate studies (often 3.7+ is competitive for med school) and excel in science courses.
MCAT: The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is crucial. Your score on this exam will be a major factor.
Clinical Experience: Volunteering or working in hospitals, clinics, or research labs to gain hands-on patient experience is essential.
Shadowing: Spending time with physicians, including anesthesiologists, will give you insight into the profession.
Research: Participating in research projects can strengthen your application.
Many students don't get into their dream medical school on the first try, so having backup plans and being prepared to reapply or consider other healthcare fields is wise.
Anesthesiologist as a Career
Becoming an anesthesiologist is a demanding but highly rewarding path.
Education and Training: It requires roughly 12-14 years after high school: 4 years of undergrad, 4 years of medical school, and then 4-5 years of anesthesiology residency, often followed by a fellowship for subspecialization.
Job Description: Anesthesiologists are medical doctors who administer anesthesia and manage pain before, during, and after surgery or other medical procedures. They monitor vital signs, manage critical care, and are often involved in pain management clinics. It's a role with immense responsibility, as they are essentially maintaining a patient's life support during surgery.
"Is it a good job to have?"
High Demand & Compensation: Anesthesiologists are consistently among the highest-paid medical specialists, reflecting the extensive training and critical nature of the job. The job outlook is stable, with projected growth in employment.
Impact: You play a vital role in patient safety and comfort, directly influencing positive surgical outcomes.
Intellectual Challenge: The work requires a deep understanding of physiology, pharmacology, and critical care, offering continuous intellectual stimulation.
Work-Life Balance: This can vary significantly depending on the practice setting (e.g., private practice vs. academic institution, type of hospital). Some roles can involve long hours, on-call duties, and high-stress situations. However, compared to some other surgical specialties, it can sometimes offer a more predictable schedule once established.
Stress: It's a high-stakes profession where even small errors can have severe consequences, leading to significant stress and pressure.
Overall, if you're passionate about medicine, enjoy complex problem-solving, and can handle high-pressure environments, it could be an incredibly fulfilling career! Keep up the excellent work in school, focus on gaining diverse experiences, and keep exploring to see if anesthesiology truly aligns with your interests.