2 answers
Deacon
Student
Elk River, Minnesota
3
Questions
Asked
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What classes would you recommend and aspiring psychiatrist to take?
I am a 15 year old student of Spectrum High school who aspires to become a psychiatrist. What classes could I take now to better prepare myself for college?
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2 answers
Gregory Barclay, M.D., DLFAPA, FASAP
Psychiatrist
24
Answers
Wilmington, Delaware
Updated
Gregory’s Answer
Deacon,
Your interest in becoming a future psychiatrist is most exciting and impressive! I can tell you are a good strategist and planner based on your question and career aspirations!
To become a psychiatrist, you will need to go to medical school first. That is where the big "cut in the ranks" occurs, since once you finish medical school it will be very easy for you to find a good solid residency program in psychiatry. So, with that in mind, you should focus now on classes that will work well for you in several years when you are competing with others to get into medical school. It might be a good idea for you to take some chemistry, biology, biochemistry, and physics classes now while in high school and, if your high school allows you to take some college level classes, you may be able to take them only once if you get college credit for them. The good thing either way is that you will get introduced to the core science classes you will need to pass with good grades in order to be considered for medical school so any high school exposure to these subjects will make it easier for you to succeed with those classes again in college.
These days, medical school admission committees look at a lot more than GPA though. They will be interested in experience working in the medical field, so spending some time during the summer or even the school year working in a medical setting and gaining some experience would be good for you and your credentials. It would help you determine more strongly if medicine and the specialty of psychiatry is for you or not, so for example, working in a residential program or a psychiatric facility as a tech or nursing assistant would be good.
Also, admission committees want to see that you are a well rounded person, so demonstrating in your classes that you have other interests and excel at them is good. I majored in music in college, for example, and am still very active as an amateur musician. I think that as well as my experience working in a medical facility during the summers when I was in college helped to offset my rather medicore MCAT scores and so-so GPA at the time.
Admission committees will want to see whether you were involved in clubs, held leadership positions, spent some time in underserved or overseas mission work, were involved in church (if you attend one), etc. Since you are still in high school, now is the time to enjoy those activities and build your portfolio of interests.
Another thing to consider - psychiatry is considered a "desperate shortage" medical specialty, and the needs for good psychiatrists, in particular those who like working with kids and teens, will grow exponentially in coming years. If you remain interested in psychiatry, it will be very advantageous for you to make that interest and your reasons for being interested in psychiatry known to others who will write letters of recommendation on your behalf when it comes time to apply to medical school, as well as for you to make sure is in your medical school application!
Good Luck! Best wishes to you.
Greg
Your interest in becoming a future psychiatrist is most exciting and impressive! I can tell you are a good strategist and planner based on your question and career aspirations!
To become a psychiatrist, you will need to go to medical school first. That is where the big "cut in the ranks" occurs, since once you finish medical school it will be very easy for you to find a good solid residency program in psychiatry. So, with that in mind, you should focus now on classes that will work well for you in several years when you are competing with others to get into medical school. It might be a good idea for you to take some chemistry, biology, biochemistry, and physics classes now while in high school and, if your high school allows you to take some college level classes, you may be able to take them only once if you get college credit for them. The good thing either way is that you will get introduced to the core science classes you will need to pass with good grades in order to be considered for medical school so any high school exposure to these subjects will make it easier for you to succeed with those classes again in college.
These days, medical school admission committees look at a lot more than GPA though. They will be interested in experience working in the medical field, so spending some time during the summer or even the school year working in a medical setting and gaining some experience would be good for you and your credentials. It would help you determine more strongly if medicine and the specialty of psychiatry is for you or not, so for example, working in a residential program or a psychiatric facility as a tech or nursing assistant would be good.
Also, admission committees want to see that you are a well rounded person, so demonstrating in your classes that you have other interests and excel at them is good. I majored in music in college, for example, and am still very active as an amateur musician. I think that as well as my experience working in a medical facility during the summers when I was in college helped to offset my rather medicore MCAT scores and so-so GPA at the time.
Admission committees will want to see whether you were involved in clubs, held leadership positions, spent some time in underserved or overseas mission work, were involved in church (if you attend one), etc. Since you are still in high school, now is the time to enjoy those activities and build your portfolio of interests.
Another thing to consider - psychiatry is considered a "desperate shortage" medical specialty, and the needs for good psychiatrists, in particular those who like working with kids and teens, will grow exponentially in coming years. If you remain interested in psychiatry, it will be very advantageous for you to make that interest and your reasons for being interested in psychiatry known to others who will write letters of recommendation on your behalf when it comes time to apply to medical school, as well as for you to make sure is in your medical school application!
Good Luck! Best wishes to you.
Greg
Kess French
Medical Student
109
Answers
Updated
Kess’s Answer
Dr. Gregory's response is top-notch, as always!
I discovered that these specific classes were a great help in getting me ready for my college studies:
Chemistry
Anatomy and Physiology
Health
Here are the ones I wish I had on my list:
Physics (and the related prerequisite courses)
Remember, it's important to also choose classes that you find enjoyable! Medical schools appreciate applicants with diverse interests. So, if art is your thing, consider taking an art class each semester and continue this in college. It could be auto shop, wood shop, sociology, English... anything that sparks your interest. Always remember, you are more than just your ambition to become a psychiatrist.
Best of luck!
I discovered that these specific classes were a great help in getting me ready for my college studies:
Chemistry
Anatomy and Physiology
Health
Here are the ones I wish I had on my list:
Physics (and the related prerequisite courses)
Remember, it's important to also choose classes that you find enjoyable! Medical schools appreciate applicants with diverse interests. So, if art is your thing, consider taking an art class each semester and continue this in college. It could be auto shop, wood shop, sociology, English... anything that sparks your interest. Always remember, you are more than just your ambition to become a psychiatrist.
Best of luck!