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What do I need to do to become a skin doctor?
I am positive, willing to engage with other in smaller or larger groups, I sometimes like to work independent but not all the time, I like to help and put people first before me so yeah. #socool
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Suzanne’s Answer
Zaniyah, it sounds like you have lots of wonderful qualities which would fit with a career in medicine. Skin doctors (dermatologists) have completed a residency in dermatology following medical school. But to back up a bit...if you are still in high school be sure you are taking college prep classes and that your guidance counselor and teachers know what your career goal is. You want to take biology, chemistry, math thru at least trigonometry as well as four years of English and probably a second language, also. If your school offers AP or honors classes try to take those. If you can get college credits while still in high school, see if you can get some from your local community college.
In college you can major in anything you're interested in but be sure to take and do well in the "pre-med" classes required for admission to medical school. Check with the pre-med advisor at your college: usually this means a a couple years of biology with labs, inorganic and organic chemistry with labs, calculus and physics. If there is a pre-med/pre-healthcare club do join it so you team up with others with similar interests.
Medical school (another four years) follows college. After you graduate, you do a residency for a few more years to specialize in dermatology. It's a long road but can be a very satisfying one for both you and your lucky patients!
Here's a link on "Deciding if medicine is for you" from the Association of American Medical Colleges; https://students-residents.aamc.org/deciding-if-medicine-you/deciding-if-medicine-you
Once you are vaccinated for Covid, see if you can spend some time in a health care setting, either as a volunteer or in a job capacity.
If you can connect with a dermatology practice see if they will allow you to "shadow" one of their doctors. If not, try for any other type of healthcare setting to be sure patient care seems like what you are drawn to.
Let us know how it goes and what other questions you have. Good luck!
In college you can major in anything you're interested in but be sure to take and do well in the "pre-med" classes required for admission to medical school. Check with the pre-med advisor at your college: usually this means a a couple years of biology with labs, inorganic and organic chemistry with labs, calculus and physics. If there is a pre-med/pre-healthcare club do join it so you team up with others with similar interests.
Medical school (another four years) follows college. After you graduate, you do a residency for a few more years to specialize in dermatology. It's a long road but can be a very satisfying one for both you and your lucky patients!
Suzanne recommends the following next steps: