5 answers
5
Asked 686 views

What are some steps i should accomplish in wanting to become a pediatrician?

I am a 9th grader. I want to work toward success and do do that, some goals should be set. #career #medicine #pediatrician #doctor

pediatrician
Answer This

+25 Karma if successful
From: You
To: Friend
Subject: Career question for you
5

5 answers

0
Updated
Share a link to this answer
Share a link to this answer

Richard’s Answer

Take as many AP or IB courses in high school. You have a lot of years of education in front of you and getting college credit in high school can save you time and money.
In the US, to apply to medical school, you need a bachelor's degree. Any 4-year university should suffice.
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. At the medical school I attended, the average GPA is reported to be 3.85, so even one or two B's can hurt your chances of acceptance.
Aside from this, any major is acceptable as long as you complete the prerequisite courses.
Typical medical school prerequisites include:
Biology: Lecture – 4 semesters; Lab – 1 semester
General Chemistry: Lecture – 2 semesters; Lab – 1 semester
Organic Chemistry: Lecture – 2 semesters; Lab – 1 semester
Biochemistry: Lecture – 1 semester
General Physics: Lecture – 2 semesters; Lab – 1 semester
Math: Statistics – 1 semester
English: Rhetoric (Composition) and Literature – 2 semesters
Try to find opportunities to pursue research.
Volunteer at your local hospital or low-income clinic. Ask physicians, PAs or other clinical providers if you can shadow them.
During college study for and complete the MCAT. Devote an entire summer to studying for the MCAT and consider paying for a prep course if you can afford it.
My son used MCAT Complete 7-Book Subject Review 2019-2020: Online + Book + 3 Practice Tests (Kaplan Test Prep) Kaplan Test Prep
It was about $140 and he achieved his goal score.
Apply to medical schools during your last year of college.
Medical school takes 4 years to complete.
After medical school pediatricians complete a 3-year residency for additional training.
0
0
Updated
Share a link to this answer
Share a link to this answer

Raji’s Answer

The first step is to get into a college. You should focus on taking classes that interest you in high school, and get good grades. You can take Honors and AP classes if your high school has them, especially like AP Biology, AP chemistry or anything else related to Science. If those aren't available, you can take a class at a local community college.


If you are able to do any projects on your own related to science, or join any science clubs that will be good too!


You will also need to get good scores on the SAT, and also the SAT Subject Biology and Chemistry if you can. It's not all about studies though, make sure that you can focus on volunteering, your hobbies, or anything else outside school that interests you and you're passionate about. After you are in college, you can major in something like Molecular & Cell biology, or whatever interests you, and you will apply for medical school after that :) Good luck!


http://doctorly.org/how-to-become-a-pediatrician/

Raji recommends the following next steps:

Take classes in High school that are related to Science
0
0
Updated
Share a link to this answer
Share a link to this answer

RAVI’s Answer

To become a Pediatrician, you need to become a doctor first and then do residency towards Pediatric specialization. Residency program decides the kind of doctor you will become. Undergrad major does not provide any direct bearing for becoming a pediatrician.

Continue to work hard, stay focused, and do not get discouraged. It is hard as there are so few medical schools and so many compete. In addition to all the hard work and exceptional records, sometime there is also some luck in volved.

Start volunteering at your hospital while you are still in school to gain more insights in to medical career. It might also help get additional guidance from the medical staff.

RAVI recommends the following next steps:

Do well in high school, SAT and get into a good college.
Although most medical schools do not demand a specific major to get admitted, they all require certain amount of Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Math courses to qualify. You do need to also take MCAT exam during your final years of college to be eligible to apply for Medical school. Considering this, although any major is good enough, you want to probably stay in the Stem fields. Most do take Bio or Chem major typically.
Once you are in Medical college and studying you can probably sped additional time focusing on Pediatrics or research on Pediatrics to become better eligible and land a residency program in pediatrics. It is not automatic. You have to work towards it and hope the complex residency program assignment algorithms work in your favor and you become lucky!
0
0
Updated
Share a link to this answer
Share a link to this answer

Rachel’s Answer

With regard to the academic preparation for pediatrics, you should be prepared for a lot of school. This means that you will have to complete college with a bachelor’s degree as well as all of the Pre-med requirements. GPA should probably be 3.5 or better. You will also have to score well on the MCAT. Once accepted to medical school, as long as you pass your classes and perform reasonably well during your four years of medical training, you can apply for a pediatrics 3-year residency.
0
0
Updated
Share a link to this answer
Share a link to this answer

Estelle’s Answer

Try to shadow some pediatricians.

After high school you need to complete the following:

College degree including pre-med requirements and MCAT

4 years of medical school

Residency for 3 years

Good luck!
0