2 answers
Annie
Student
Roseau, Minnesota
3
Questions
Asked
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What are some things I should do as a high school sophomore, to prepare myself to enter a sonography program?
I would like to know specific classes or jobs that I should do to help me be better prepared for a sonography program.
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2 answers
Rafael Diaz Montelongo
Consultant
563
Answers
Raleigh, North Carolina
Updated
Rafael’s Answer
Hey Annie, it's awesome that you already know you're interested in sonography as a sophomore because that gives you a solid head start. The biggest thing right now is to load up on science and math classes like anatomy and physiology, biology, chemistry, physics, and any advanced math since sonography programs are competitive and science-heavy. If your school offers health sciences electives, medical terminology, or a CNA program, definitely take those too because a basic healthcare credential in high school is a huge advantage. From my own experience, what set me apart early was not just classes but real-world exposure, so try to volunteer or job shadow at a local hospital or imaging center because even a few hours watching a sonographer work teaches you a ton and shows admissions committees you're serious. For jobs, anything in a healthcare environment helps, whether it's front desk at a doctor's office, hospital volunteering, or pharmacy tech work, since it all builds patient interaction skills which are a big part of sonography. Start looking into what sonography programs near you actually require for admission now so you can plan your junior and senior year strategically, and knock out easy wins like getting CPR/BLS certified since most programs require it anyway. Best of luck!
Téa C.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
18
Answers
Salt Lake City, Utah
Updated
Téa’s Answer
Hello!
If they're available at your high school, I recommend taking Anatomy & Physiology (A&P), Physics, & Health/Health Ed classes. From high school, my most helpful class for ultrasound/sonography was Anatomy & Physiology. Also, I didn't know I'd go into ultrasound yet so I didn't take Physics (but it would've helped). In addition to those classes, I think I remember Algebra & Trigonometry classes from high school helping with some of my college classes. We don't do complex math for our jobs, but we still learn a lot of physics/ultrasound physics principles. In college you'll probably have to take at least 1 math class, a physics class, & (once in the program) ultrasound physics classes.
You could also look at hospitals in your area to see if they'd allow you to job shadow ultrasound techs. Even if you're set on going into sonography, it'd be good to be able to watch them on-the-job & ask them questions. If they don't have job shadowing opportunities, you could ask about setting up "informational interviews" instead. You'd make a list of questions to ask an ultrasound tech. This is usually done in-person, virtually, or over the phone, though it could also be done over email. They might know more about sonography programs for your area/state. You can ask your school's career counselor (or someone like that) for help, too.
In the meantime, I think volunteering at a hospital and/or customer service-related jobs could indirectly help later. While it won't help for the regular sonography classes, my past experiences with customer service-related jobs helped during the internship part of my sonography program. Other than scanning, a big part of our job is interacting with patients - which I still had to do as an intern, of course. Before becoming an ultrasound tech, my previous jobs were as a "Sales Associate" at a Forever 21 & a Secretary with my college campus' dining services (maybe a step below Assistant Manager). Both jobs involved learning how to multitask & professionally handle people no matter how they acted, which you need to do during the sonography internship & after graduation.
I hope this helps!
If they're available at your high school, I recommend taking Anatomy & Physiology (A&P), Physics, & Health/Health Ed classes. From high school, my most helpful class for ultrasound/sonography was Anatomy & Physiology. Also, I didn't know I'd go into ultrasound yet so I didn't take Physics (but it would've helped). In addition to those classes, I think I remember Algebra & Trigonometry classes from high school helping with some of my college classes. We don't do complex math for our jobs, but we still learn a lot of physics/ultrasound physics principles. In college you'll probably have to take at least 1 math class, a physics class, & (once in the program) ultrasound physics classes.
You could also look at hospitals in your area to see if they'd allow you to job shadow ultrasound techs. Even if you're set on going into sonography, it'd be good to be able to watch them on-the-job & ask them questions. If they don't have job shadowing opportunities, you could ask about setting up "informational interviews" instead. You'd make a list of questions to ask an ultrasound tech. This is usually done in-person, virtually, or over the phone, though it could also be done over email. They might know more about sonography programs for your area/state. You can ask your school's career counselor (or someone like that) for help, too.
In the meantime, I think volunteering at a hospital and/or customer service-related jobs could indirectly help later. While it won't help for the regular sonography classes, my past experiences with customer service-related jobs helped during the internship part of my sonography program. Other than scanning, a big part of our job is interacting with patients - which I still had to do as an intern, of course. Before becoming an ultrasound tech, my previous jobs were as a "Sales Associate" at a Forever 21 & a Secretary with my college campus' dining services (maybe a step below Assistant Manager). Both jobs involved learning how to multitask & professionally handle people no matter how they acted, which you need to do during the sonography internship & after graduation.
I hope this helps!