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I want to be a pediaatric hemotologyist, and I wanted to know what courses I need to take to be on the pre med track? Or the track to medical school?

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Michael’s Answer

Hi Angel, I am glad to see that you have this big ambition.
But, first of all, please consider why do you want to be a physician in the first place, and stay focus on this reason, because there will be many obstacles in your way to medicine that you will need to be clear that it is what and why you want. An old professor of internal medicine once told us that medicine is a jealous spouse. Going into medicine is getting married to medicine, it requires a lot of attention and devotion.

Not sure what grade are you in. Here is some basic ideas for a pre-medicine track: basic science and language. Most colleges will have a pre-medicine track that will provide you guidance. Consider also, build a volunteering program in your extra-curricular activity. Sorry that I cannot offer you a more concrete path, but a lot is dependent on you and your scholastic aptitude. Keep the grades up and stay focus.

Best of luck to you.
Thank you comment icon I want to be a pediatric hematologists because I was born with sickle cell and I believe I can help kids who struggle like me. I have since gone through the bone marrow transplant and July 15th marks the 5th year since then. I am a senior for the up coming 2020-2021 school year in high school. Thank you so much for your help. Do you think I should call the counselor at the school? Angel
Thank you comment icon Hi Angel I think you should definitely keep in touch with your guidance counselor, and be a strong candidate to apply to college. Please check my answer for more information! Yasemin G.
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Richard’s Answer

Most schools don't have a premed major. I chose a science major since there was a good amount of overlap between the med school prerequisites and the degree plan for biochemistry. Any major will do though. Just make sure to study hard and get good grades. Grades and high MCAT are considered a predictor for med school success.
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Paola’s Answer

Hi Angel. First of all, congratulations! Having clear goals is absolutely critical for success and pursuing a goal to help others almost guarantees that you will succeed. I agree completely with what the others said in their answers. I will only add that in addition to a counselor, you may want to talk to one or more of the doctors that you interact with, about your desire to become like them. They may be willing to share their experience with you, mentor you, or tell you who can help. Mentors are really important in anybody's journey so find someone who can guide you and who better than someone who has gone through that journey themselves! I wish you all the best!
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Estelle’s Answer

Very proud of you, Angel, for turning your situation into something very positive!
In the US, to apply to medical school, you need a bachelor's degree. Any 4-year university should suffice.

Pick a college that suits your personality and a major that interests you. 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


During college study for and complete the MCAT. Apply to medical schools during your last year of college.

Medical school takes 4 years to complete.

After medical school physicians complete a residency for additional training. These can last 3-6 years and are sometimes followed by an additional year or two of fellowship subspecialty training. For you, a pediatrics residency followed by pedi hematology fellowship.
Good luck!
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Yasemin’s Answer

Hi Angel! Wow that is an amazing reason to pursue medicine and in your personal statement as well as interviews for medical school it will definitely be a strong discussion point! What a catch introduction for a personal statement! In order to the answers above, make sure to get exposure to the medical field as well. It is very nice that you got to experience so much medicine and got to interact with physicians however, I would also recommend to volunteer both clinical and non-clinical as well ; these are very important areas for medical school because it shows compassion and empathy for others. I would start early in volunteering when you get to college, find some meaningful activities and pursue them long term. In addition shadow a physician so you can really see what their life is, you can shadow one or a couple physicians; maybe the physicians who are providing your care for sickle cell can allow you to shadow them! You can be any major and apply to medical school; there isn't a premed major but premed is more of a concentration like how you identify yourself in college. I was a Psychology major and medical school is open to diverse majors; it really matters about taking the prerequisites and your MCAT exam and doing well in both! You really wanna have strong academics and a strong MCAT score that should be your most important priority. In college there are premed advisers I would definitely make sure to meet with one regularly like every semester 1-2 times; make sure you are on track to take your MCAT/finish classes/extracurriculars. My premed adviser and I would always say how MCAT/GPA are the cake to getting to medical school and everything else is sprinkles; yes there are candidates who score well on both MCAT/GPA but don't gain acceptance either so balance is crucial. You want to be a strong premedical student in your academics but showcase your passion through meaningful experiences as well. Lastly when you get to college Angel make sure to get to know your professors, as you will need letters of recommendation from them. For medical school you need 2 science and one non-science and other LOR's can be supplementary like supervisors from activities and clubs/physicians (most medical schools like to have/require physician LOR's). If you have more questions please let me know Angel!

I wish you the best and hope this helps!
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