3 answers
Sammy
Student
Mesa, Arizona
10
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How much money is college to be a Pediatrician?
#pediatrician
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3 answers
Christina H
Emergency Physician
9
Answers
Worcester, Massachusetts
Updated
Christina’s Answer
Hi Sammy,
To become a Pediatrician, or any kind of medical doctor, requires finishing high school, then:
Go to college: you have some control over what it could cost by choosing a public (cheaper) vs private (expensive) college. Or, you could start with a community college and get a 2-year associates degree and transfer into a 4-year college (also a likely cheaper route). No matter what you choose, you have to study hard and do well in your pre-med requirement classes and do well overall.
If you can get scholarships or grants, it helps reduce this expense. And you could get school loans to finance college.
Go to med school: the expense depends on whether you get into a public medical school (less expensive) or a private medical school (very expensive). However, keep in mind that most people who go to med school are given loans to be able to pay for med school and living expenses, room and board....because med school is so hard that most students can not also work part time.
If you get scholarships or grants, it again helps reduce the expense.
During residency (once you are a brand new doctor and learning your specialty), you DO get paid, approximately $50,000 per year during the 3-7 years of training. So, you are studying and training A LOT, but do get money to pay your rent and pay the bills.
If it is your dream, then find a way. You could even work for a few years after college before going to med school. I worked full time on an ambulance for 4 years between college and med school, and saved up enough money to buy a car and pay some of my expenses during med school. The rest I paid with loans. You then pay the loans off once you are working as a doctor.
*No matter what you choose, surround yourself with people who want you to succeed.*
To become a Pediatrician, or any kind of medical doctor, requires finishing high school, then:
Go to college: you have some control over what it could cost by choosing a public (cheaper) vs private (expensive) college. Or, you could start with a community college and get a 2-year associates degree and transfer into a 4-year college (also a likely cheaper route). No matter what you choose, you have to study hard and do well in your pre-med requirement classes and do well overall.
If you can get scholarships or grants, it helps reduce this expense. And you could get school loans to finance college.
Go to med school: the expense depends on whether you get into a public medical school (less expensive) or a private medical school (very expensive). However, keep in mind that most people who go to med school are given loans to be able to pay for med school and living expenses, room and board....because med school is so hard that most students can not also work part time.
If you get scholarships or grants, it again helps reduce the expense.
During residency (once you are a brand new doctor and learning your specialty), you DO get paid, approximately $50,000 per year during the 3-7 years of training. So, you are studying and training A LOT, but do get money to pay your rent and pay the bills.
If it is your dream, then find a way. You could even work for a few years after college before going to med school. I worked full time on an ambulance for 4 years between college and med school, and saved up enough money to buy a car and pay some of my expenses during med school. The rest I paid with loans. You then pay the loans off once you are working as a doctor.
*No matter what you choose, surround yourself with people who want you to succeed.*
Sheila Jordan
Lead Network Proj/Prog Manager
716
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Sheila’s Answer
Hi Sammy:
The journey to become a Pediatrician is very long and expensive. My son is a Pediatrician and is now in a fellowship program to get specialized. Here are the steps he took.
• 4 years - College
• 4 years - Medical School
• 3 years - Residency
• 3 years - Fellowship
The cost depends on the school. Let's just say it's rather expensive so I can't give a definitive amount. I hope this was helpful. Best of luck to you!
~ Sheila
The journey to become a Pediatrician is very long and expensive. My son is a Pediatrician and is now in a fellowship program to get specialized. Here are the steps he took.
• 4 years - College
• 4 years - Medical School
• 3 years - Residency
• 3 years - Fellowship
The cost depends on the school. Let's just say it's rather expensive so I can't give a definitive amount. I hope this was helpful. Best of luck to you!
~ Sheila
Brandon Dang
217
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Brandon’s Answer
That can depend on the type of school that you are going to, as all schools generally have different amounts you have to pay to go to school. Generally, in order to be a pediatrician you need to have four years to complete a bachelor's degree, and then be admitted into a medical school which is a highly competitive field to get into. From there you would need to spend 2-7 years (though the average I found was around three years) in a accredited residentiary program or internship for pediatricians. Again, the price can differ depending on the school you go to so saying a definitive price is difficult.
Ok, thank you! This was very helpful!
Sammy