4 answers
Chastity
Student
4
Questions
Asked
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What will my college life look like, roughly, in order to become a psychiatric doctor?
I'm in the 11th grade aspiring to become and doctor in the medical field. I am currently leaning towards psychiatry, but would like to know my options before committing. Thank you so much for your help!
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4 answers
Madison Buchman
doctor
112
Answers
West Hartford
Updated
Madison’s Answer
Undergrad, med school, psych residency (usually 4 years), can do a fellowship after if desired in psych sub-specialties, and then you can have inpatient/outpatient/both types of jobs after including both hospital based practices or private practices
Karin P.
Lecturer
378
Answers
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Chastity,
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specialized in psychiatry. So, you'll first have to earn a bachelors in any field, which takes 4 years.
Then, you take the MCAT and apply to medical school. Medical school is another 4 years during which you'll rotate through several specialties.
You then decide for psychiatry as your specialty (or maybe by then you have fallen in love with something else) and if you are accepted you do your residency which takes another 4 years.
In short, there is no need for you to commit to anything now. Get your bachelors in whatever you enjoy, biology and biochemistry are common, but it can also be social science or philosophy or whatever. In 4 years decide if you still want to be a doctor or if you want to get your masters and PhD in something else. If you do go to medical school, you have another 4 years to find out if psychiatry is still your favorite. If it is, go for it.
Good luck!
KP
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specialized in psychiatry. So, you'll first have to earn a bachelors in any field, which takes 4 years.
Then, you take the MCAT and apply to medical school. Medical school is another 4 years during which you'll rotate through several specialties.
You then decide for psychiatry as your specialty (or maybe by then you have fallen in love with something else) and if you are accepted you do your residency which takes another 4 years.
In short, there is no need for you to commit to anything now. Get your bachelors in whatever you enjoy, biology and biochemistry are common, but it can also be social science or philosophy or whatever. In 4 years decide if you still want to be a doctor or if you want to get your masters and PhD in something else. If you do go to medical school, you have another 4 years to find out if psychiatry is still your favorite. If it is, go for it.
Good luck!
KP
I appreciate this, thank you for the advice.
Chastity
Mahi Patel
Student Advisor and Dental
99
Answers
Davie, Florida
Updated
Mahi’s Answer
SAT, 4 Years Bachelors, MCAT, 4 Years of Medical School, Residency + Specialization.
Rita Chuang
Physician
112
Answers
Henderson, Nevada
Updated
Rita’s Answer
I agree with above:
4 years high school
4 years undergrad
4 years medical school
4 years internship and residency
During medical school, you will be rotating through different specialties and can decide at that time what field most interests you. I recommend every premed student works as a scribe. This gives you experience, they pay, and you can speak with physicians. If you don't like it, then you do not need to apply to medical school.
4 years high school
4 years undergrad
4 years medical school
4 years internship and residency
During medical school, you will be rotating through different specialties and can decide at that time what field most interests you. I recommend every premed student works as a scribe. This gives you experience, they pay, and you can speak with physicians. If you don't like it, then you do not need to apply to medical school.
Thanks for the advice.
Chastity