3 answers
Emily
Student
Waco, Georgia
1
Question
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What do I have to do to be come a pediatrician
#computer #pediatrician
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3 answers
Sheila Jordan
Lead Network Proj/Prog Manager
716
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Sheila’s Answer
Hello Emily:
Thank you for your question. It's great that you have a passion to want to work with children. I'm answering your question from a parent's perspective who has a son currently in residency as a Pediatrician.
Here are a few points to consider on this long and expensive journey:
1) Make good grades in college to help you get into medical school. Prepare years in advance.
2) Score well on the MCAT (Medical College Admissions Test) Exam. Retake the exam if necessary.
3) Apply to "all" the medical schools you are interested in. Rank the schools from highest to lowest. Keep in mind that you may get put on a "wait list" for acceptance to medical school. If so, this could take a number of years and then you may be competing all over with new applicants.
4) Apply for financial aid early. This is extremely important. Make sure you keep good records during this time when applying for financial aid because the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) and FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) systems work together, and could be quite cumbersome and confusing when transferring data across both platforms. Applying to financial aid was one of the most stressful time for us. . . I'm so happy that part is over.
Of course there are many other things to consider but, from the outside looking in these things were high on our list and my son got accepted into medical school immediately after college. There's no easy road on this path. I encourage you to work hard in high school and college and remain focused. Get a good support system and you'll do well. I hope this helps. Best of luck to you on your journey to becoming a Pediatrician.
~ Sheila
FAFSA • (https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa)
Review the AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges) site • (https://students-residents.aamc.org/applying-medical-school/taking-mcat-exam/)
Review what you need to know about the MCAT • (https://students-residents.aamc.org/choosing-medical-career/article/preparing-mcat-exam/)
Thank you for your question. It's great that you have a passion to want to work with children. I'm answering your question from a parent's perspective who has a son currently in residency as a Pediatrician.
Here are a few points to consider on this long and expensive journey:
1) Make good grades in college to help you get into medical school. Prepare years in advance.
2) Score well on the MCAT (Medical College Admissions Test) Exam. Retake the exam if necessary.
3) Apply to "all" the medical schools you are interested in. Rank the schools from highest to lowest. Keep in mind that you may get put on a "wait list" for acceptance to medical school. If so, this could take a number of years and then you may be competing all over with new applicants.
4) Apply for financial aid early. This is extremely important. Make sure you keep good records during this time when applying for financial aid because the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) and FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) systems work together, and could be quite cumbersome and confusing when transferring data across both platforms. Applying to financial aid was one of the most stressful time for us. . . I'm so happy that part is over.
Of course there are many other things to consider but, from the outside looking in these things were high on our list and my son got accepted into medical school immediately after college. There's no easy road on this path. I encourage you to work hard in high school and college and remain focused. Get a good support system and you'll do well. I hope this helps. Best of luck to you on your journey to becoming a Pediatrician.
~ Sheila
Sheila recommends the following next steps:
David Blomberg
Senior Engineer
8
Answers
Japan
Updated
David’s Answer
Hi Emily,
I am not a doctor but I recall this discussion often having grown up near the Pfizer headquarters. A simple start is to ensure to take biology, chemistry to prepare for medical college. More details can be found at places like: https://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-Pediatrician
good luck and I am impressed with your choice and ambition.
David
I am not a doctor but I recall this discussion often having grown up near the Pfizer headquarters. A simple start is to ensure to take biology, chemistry to prepare for medical college. More details can be found at places like: https://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-Pediatrician
good luck and I am impressed with your choice and ambition.
David
Ruth Kadanoff
Physician retired
7
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Ruth’s Answer
First you need to do well in your studies in high school, then take the MCAT exams and apply to medical school. If you get accepted you have a couple of years to rethink pediatric medicine versus the medical choices . If you remain committed to becoming a pediatrician apply for residency in pediatric medicine. The medical school is 4 years pediatric residency ( during which you are supported by a salary ) is 3 years.
I recommend after pandemic doing volunteer work in pediatric clinic and in hospitals to see how you feel about the pleasures and pain of the profession in real life.
I recommend after pandemic doing volunteer work in pediatric clinic and in hospitals to see how you feel about the pleasures and pain of the profession in real life.