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what is it like being a doctor

Earn a Medical Degree. Complete a Residency Program...Obtain Licensure..Get Certified to Advance Career. #doctor #doctor #doctor #doctor #doctor #doctor #doctor #career #career #career #career #career #career #career #career #career #career-choice #career-counseling #career-path #career-development

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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 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.

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.

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.
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Nate’s Answer

Depends on your specialty. You may work days only, possibly 24 hr shifts, possibly weekends. Expect sacrificing time with family and friends especially during your training years. It can be very rewarding at times when caring for patients and seeing improvements in their lives. It can be very frustrating at times when losing a patient or when interacting with hospital administrators. Loan payoffs often continue for 20 To 30 years after Med school unless in a loan forgiveness program. I should add ultimately you will likely be afforded a lifestyle unmatched by many careers.
Thank you comment icon Thank you Dr. Polite for your insights. A loan forgiveness program is definitely one way to pay off loans. Sheila Jordan
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