3 answers
Savannah
Student
3
Questions
Updated
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How long do I have to go to college to become a Pediatrician ?
When I was younger I always wanted to be a pediatrician because I feel that I work well with kids so that leads me to the questions of how long I would have to go to college to work in that field.
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3 answers
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach
1094
Answers
Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Savannah,
In order to become a pediatrician, you need to go to medical school. In order to go to medical school, you first need to earn a bachelors degree in any field. Many take biology or biochemistry for their undergrad degree, but it can really be anything. It makes sense to get your undergrad degree at a college that has a pre-med program but you don't have to.
You then need to take the MCAT and be admitted to medical school. Medical school is another 4 years during which you'll also do rotations through several specialties.
You can then choose a specialty, e.g. pediatrics, and if you get accepted you do a residency in pediatrics.
In short: 4+4+3
Good luck!
KP
In order to become a pediatrician, you need to go to medical school. In order to go to medical school, you first need to earn a bachelors degree in any field. Many take biology or biochemistry for their undergrad degree, but it can really be anything. It makes sense to get your undergrad degree at a college that has a pre-med program but you don't have to.
You then need to take the MCAT and be admitted to medical school. Medical school is another 4 years during which you'll also do rotations through several specialties.
You can then choose a specialty, e.g. pediatrics, and if you get accepted you do a residency in pediatrics.
In short: 4+4+3
Good luck!
KP
Rita Chuang
Physician
259
Answers
Henderson, Nevada
Updated
Rita’s Answer
4 years high school
4 years undergrad
4 years medical school
3 years internship/residency
I recommend every premed student work as a scribe. You basically act like a secretary for the doctors so they do not need to type up their notes. This gives you an opportunity to see if you actually enjoy the job, you get paid, and you can interact with the doctors. They also pay you. I've noticed that my medical students who worked as scribes were so much sharper than other students because they had experience.
4 years undergrad
4 years medical school
3 years internship/residency
I recommend every premed student work as a scribe. You basically act like a secretary for the doctors so they do not need to type up their notes. This gives you an opportunity to see if you actually enjoy the job, you get paid, and you can interact with the doctors. They also pay you. I've noticed that my medical students who worked as scribes were so much sharper than other students because they had experience.
Fred Rosenberger
Data Analyst
515
Answers
St. Louis, MO
Updated
Fred’s Answer
A pediatrician is an MD. That generally means:
4 years of undergraduate
4 years of medical school
3 years of pediatric residency
It may be longer if you want to specialize in something like pediatric surgery.
There are other steps, like taking the MCAT and passing your boards. Those aren't as set in stone as to how long they take to pass or how much you need to study.
4 years of undergraduate
4 years of medical school
3 years of pediatric residency
It may be longer if you want to specialize in something like pediatric surgery.
There are other steps, like taking the MCAT and passing your boards. Those aren't as set in stone as to how long they take to pass or how much you need to study.