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Alice
Student
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
5
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What are the steps of getting into med school and becoming a doctor?
Until recently, I was a chemical engineering student. However, learning on my own through online classes, I realized that it wasn't right for me. I have switched majors and career paths as I am about to go into my senior year. I am now studying to get into med school. The only thing I am certain of is that I need certain classes and that ideally I need a good MCAT score. What are the steps of getting into med school and becoming a successful med student and future doctor? What would make me a more appealing candidate for med school?
#JULY20 #medical-school #doctor
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3 answers
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1347
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
Alice the requirements for becoming a doctor in the U.S. may vary by specialty. In general, doctors complete a 4-year undergraduate degree program, spend 4 years in medical school, and then complete 3-7 years of residency training before they are eligible for medical licensing. Both degree programs typically include general medical coursework, while prospective doctors can choose a specialty later, during their residencies.
SIX STEPS IN BECOMING A DOCTOR
STEP 1.) EARN YOUR BACHELOR'S DEGREE
Most medical school applicants complete a bachelor's degree program before they apply to medical school. Students can choose a variety of majors for undergraduate study; however, students should be sure that their course load includes a significant amount of science studies. Students are also expected to complete undergraduate work in the social sciences, English, and mathematics.
STEP 2.) TAKE THE MCAT
The Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) is a multiple-choice examination that students must pass before they are admitted to medical school. Physical science, biology, critical thinking, and verbal skills are all tested in a 5-hour computerized test. Most medical schools use this score when considering applicants for admission, so it's important to score well to be considered for top programs.
STEP 3.) COMPLETE MEDICAL SCHOOL
Medical school consists of four years of medical training and education. The first two years of a prospective doctor's medical school experience are devoted to book study and laboratory work to prepare students for diagnosing and treating illnesses. During the second year of med school, students take the first portion of the United States Medical Licensing Examination, which is administered by the National Board of Medical Examiners. During the last two years of medical school, students begin their clinical experience, going through rotations at clinics and hospitals. Students work under attending physicians to begin their practical training in medicine. The fourth year of medical school is when the second licensing test is issued, as well as when students begin their residency training. As an alternative to undergraduate degrees and medical school, some institutions allow students to take a 6-year combination training and education program, which gives students a compressed medical and academic education.
STEP 4.) COMPLETE YOUR RESIDENCY
Individuals choose residency programs based on their career interests. These programs usually last from three to eight years and cover general medical principles and specific medical specialties. Residents perform a variety of extensive duties, such as conducting physical exams, taking patient histories, attending conferences and interpreting lab information. The National Resident Matching Program uses individual preferences to match residency applicants to programs.
STEP 5.) OBTAIN YOUR MEDICAL LICENSE
Before practicing medicine, all doctors must obtain a license. To qualify for licensure, candidates must earn a degree from an accredited medical school. Candidates are also required to complete a residency program and pass the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). Each state has different requirements to become licensed; for example, some states may only give candidates a certain number of attempts to pass the USMLE, while others have no limit on USMLE attempts.
STEP 6.) SPECIALTY CERTIFICATION
Earning a specialty certification is not required, but it may increase employment opportunities. Certification by the American Board of Medical Specialties is voluntary and involves an extensive process of evaluations and assessments. Doctors who wish to keep their certification must continue their education before testing for certification renewal.
Alice it takes 11-14 years to become a doctor in the United States, including earning a bachelor's degree, attending 4 years of medical school, and completing a 3-7 years residency program after medical school. After residency, doctors may apply for a state license to practice medicine.
Hope this was Helpful Alice
SIX STEPS IN BECOMING A DOCTOR
STEP 1.) EARN YOUR BACHELOR'S DEGREE
Most medical school applicants complete a bachelor's degree program before they apply to medical school. Students can choose a variety of majors for undergraduate study; however, students should be sure that their course load includes a significant amount of science studies. Students are also expected to complete undergraduate work in the social sciences, English, and mathematics.
STEP 2.) TAKE THE MCAT
The Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) is a multiple-choice examination that students must pass before they are admitted to medical school. Physical science, biology, critical thinking, and verbal skills are all tested in a 5-hour computerized test. Most medical schools use this score when considering applicants for admission, so it's important to score well to be considered for top programs.
STEP 3.) COMPLETE MEDICAL SCHOOL
Medical school consists of four years of medical training and education. The first two years of a prospective doctor's medical school experience are devoted to book study and laboratory work to prepare students for diagnosing and treating illnesses. During the second year of med school, students take the first portion of the United States Medical Licensing Examination, which is administered by the National Board of Medical Examiners. During the last two years of medical school, students begin their clinical experience, going through rotations at clinics and hospitals. Students work under attending physicians to begin their practical training in medicine. The fourth year of medical school is when the second licensing test is issued, as well as when students begin their residency training. As an alternative to undergraduate degrees and medical school, some institutions allow students to take a 6-year combination training and education program, which gives students a compressed medical and academic education.
STEP 4.) COMPLETE YOUR RESIDENCY
Individuals choose residency programs based on their career interests. These programs usually last from three to eight years and cover general medical principles and specific medical specialties. Residents perform a variety of extensive duties, such as conducting physical exams, taking patient histories, attending conferences and interpreting lab information. The National Resident Matching Program uses individual preferences to match residency applicants to programs.
STEP 5.) OBTAIN YOUR MEDICAL LICENSE
Before practicing medicine, all doctors must obtain a license. To qualify for licensure, candidates must earn a degree from an accredited medical school. Candidates are also required to complete a residency program and pass the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). Each state has different requirements to become licensed; for example, some states may only give candidates a certain number of attempts to pass the USMLE, while others have no limit on USMLE attempts.
STEP 6.) SPECIALTY CERTIFICATION
Earning a specialty certification is not required, but it may increase employment opportunities. Certification by the American Board of Medical Specialties is voluntary and involves an extensive process of evaluations and assessments. Doctors who wish to keep their certification must continue their education before testing for certification renewal.
Alice it takes 11-14 years to become a doctor in the United States, including earning a bachelor's degree, attending 4 years of medical school, and completing a 3-7 years residency program after medical school. After residency, doctors may apply for a state license to practice medicine.
Hope this was Helpful Alice
Estelle Archer
Gynecologist
1322
Answers
United States
Updated
Estelle’s Answer
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. Definitely use an MCAT review and tutoring system such as the Princeton Review or Exam Krackers. Apply to medical schools during your last year of college. Get shadowing and volunteering experience.
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.
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. Definitely use an MCAT review and tutoring system such as the Princeton Review or Exam Krackers. Apply to medical schools during your last year of college. Get shadowing and volunteering experience.
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.
Thank you for your answer!
Alice
Dan Nguyen, DO
Psychiatrist
105
Answers
Phoenix, Arizona
Updated
Dan’s Answer
For the most part the general pre-med courses are:
One year of Biology with lab
One year of General Chemistry with lab
One year of Organic Chemistry with lab
One semester of Biochemistry
One year of Physics with lab
One year of English
I would highly recommend that you take additional science courses though (most pre-med students do, so it's kind of not optional) -- you probably already have some from your chemical engineering degree. Consider taking any additional courses such as higher level chemistry (medicinal chemistry), biology (microbiology, physiology) or physics. Consider taking sociology and psychology as well.
The general pre-med classes + psychology and sociology will give you a basis in which you will use to train yourself to take the MCAT.
Obviously the better the grade and MCAT score the better your chances. Some schools list minimum scores, for the most part you cannot have a score that is minimum to be accepted as there are a ton of applicants with scores well above the minimum.
Shadow physicians and get letter of recs. Join clubs that you like (sports, etc). Teach and do research. Any and all extracurricular activities will help.
The most appealing applicant is the one that is most well-rounded.
Best of luck, its a long path but a fulfilling one if I must say myself.
One year of Biology with lab
One year of General Chemistry with lab
One year of Organic Chemistry with lab
One semester of Biochemistry
One year of Physics with lab
One year of English
I would highly recommend that you take additional science courses though (most pre-med students do, so it's kind of not optional) -- you probably already have some from your chemical engineering degree. Consider taking any additional courses such as higher level chemistry (medicinal chemistry), biology (microbiology, physiology) or physics. Consider taking sociology and psychology as well.
The general pre-med classes + psychology and sociology will give you a basis in which you will use to train yourself to take the MCAT.
Obviously the better the grade and MCAT score the better your chances. Some schools list minimum scores, for the most part you cannot have a score that is minimum to be accepted as there are a ton of applicants with scores well above the minimum.
Shadow physicians and get letter of recs. Join clubs that you like (sports, etc). Teach and do research. Any and all extracurricular activities will help.
The most appealing applicant is the one that is most well-rounded.
Best of luck, its a long path but a fulfilling one if I must say myself.
Thank you for answering my question! I will look into psychology and sociology classes in addition to the ones required for med school and my new major.
Alice