The majority of college students who have aspirations of entering the medical field want to one day help others, make medical breakthroughs, or educate patients on how to take better care of themselves. The advantages of a career in medicine are substantial, but achieving those rewards requires a great deal of effort and perseverance.
It is possible to become a medical doctor after completing school and training for at least 11 years. If you want to become a specialist, you could have to put in thirteen or even more years of work and study. The amount of time and money spent on medical education and training is significant; nevertheless, the level of work satisfaction and quality of life enjoyed by those in this profession is very high.
Start Getting Ready in Junior High School
You will be better prepared for the rigorous coursework of college and medical school if you take difficult subjects when you are still in high school. If your school or a local institution offers Advanced Placement programs or courses that prepare you for postsecondary education, you should sign up for them. To further illustrate your potential for leadership, you should become active in extracurricular and voluntary activities outside of the classroom. The foundational skills and information that will be necessary for your success in both college and medical school are laid throughout your time in high school.
Earn an Undergraduate Degree
If you want to be as well prepared as possible for medical school after college, your best bet is to major in one of the hard sciences. The fields of physics, biochemistry, biology, behavioral neuroscience, chemistry, and evolutionary biology are among the most common choices. You also have the option of enrolling in a pre-med program, which will provide you with a selection of classes that are designed to get you ready for medical school.
Your admission to medical school will benefit from you having excellent marks. You should budget at least four years to complete the requirements for your undergraduate degree.
Studying or Working Abroad
Your application to medical school will be strengthened if you have foreign experience, such as studying in another country or volunteering in another country. Demonstrating the capacity to engage with a diverse group of individuals requires a solid foundation in global and cultural knowledge, which may be obtained via study. After completing your training to become a physician, you could even decide to continue giving back to your community by participating in a Doctors Without Borders program as a volunteer.
Participate Actively in Campus Life
During your time at college, you should make it a priority to participate in activities outside of the classroom. Pick the academic and social organizations that are the most aligned with your passions. Your ability to organize your time well and multitask will be highlighted when you serve in a leadership capacity while still maintaining a demanding academic schedule.
Participate in the Emergency Medical Technician or Certified Nursing Assistant programs.
While you're still in school, you may want to look into being certified as an emergency medical technician or as a certified nursing assistant. You will not only be able to make some additional money but, more significantly, you will be able to develop an understanding of what it is like to work in the trenches of a medical institution. Working in the medical profession can help you learn more about doctor requirements in a realistic environment, and it will also check another positive box on your application to medical school, which is a side advantage.
Participate as a Volunteer in a Healthcare Setting
Volunteering in the local community is a great way to demonstrate your commitment to service learning. The volunteer work you do should preferably take place in a nursing home, assisted living institution, or hospital. Volunteering will not only get you additional points on your application to medical school, but it will also help you cement the reasons why you want to become a physician.
Observe a Doctor in Action
Shadowing a physician is one of the most effective strategies to get a more comprehensive grasp of the prerequisites for becoming a doctor. You will not only be able to see the job being done in front of you, but you will also have the opportunity to make crucial contacts that may be of use to you in the future. A physician who is currently in practice may provide you with first-hand information about medical school and may also function as a reference for your application to medical school.
Write a Passionate Personal Statement
Put some thought and effort into writing a compelling personal statement to submit with your application to medical school. This is your opportunity to introduce yourself and explain why you would be an excellent candidate for medical school. Include specifics on all you've done up until now to be ready for this point in time. Display your enthusiasm for education as well as the personal aspects that highlight your potential as a future medical student.
Obtain Recommendation Letters That Will Make an Impression
Put some strategic thought into who the most qualified individuals are to seek for letters of reference. It is important that the people you provide as references are able to comment on your work ethic, intelligence, and the challenges you've faced in the past. A engaging narrative about your dogged determination and unwavering focus will set you apart from the competition.
Achieving a Good Score on the MCAT
During your final year of college, you should start preparing for the Medical College Admission Test, often known as the MCAT. Plan on devoting at least three months of your time to studying for the exam. Find out where your academic strengths and limitations lie, and then take several sample exams to get used to the layout of the questions. You should be prepared to retake the exam in the event that you are unhappy with the result you received.
Be a Medical Student Who Really Stands Out
Prepare yourself for the most intense and all-encompassing academic experience of your life when you start medical school. As a student of medicine, it goes without saying that the vast majority of your time will be spent studying. When you are faced with lessons that seem to be too difficult for you, don't be afraid to ask for assistance or look for a tutor.
Be prepared to put in a lot of effort since medical school may be the first time that you've encountered a really difficult academic challenge. If you want to have a better chance of getting into the residency program of your choice, you should do well in medical school.
Submit an Application to a Residency Program.
When you finally decide to enroll in a residency program, you are in the home stretch. During your last year of medical school, you will start the application process for residency programs. Different specialties call for a variety of different lengths of residency. The primary goals of a medical residency are to provide residents with the opportunity to get both hands-on experience and practical knowledge. The following is a representative sample list of residency lengths:
The study of Anesthesia (four years)
Dermatology (four years)
Medicine for Emergencies (four years)
Medicine for the Family (three years)
Internal Medicine (three years)
Genetics (four years)
Neurology (four years)
Nuclear Medicine (four years)
OBGYN stands for Obstetrics and Gynecology (four years)
The specialty of Ophthalmology (four years)
Otalryngology (five years)
Histopathology (four years)
Pediatrics (three years)
Medicine of the Physical Body (four years)
Psychiatry (four years)
Oncologic Radiation Therapy (five years)
Radiology (five years)
Surgery (five to seven years)
Urology (five years)
To complete a subspecialty in any given area might add anywhere from one to three more years of study.
Obtain your license to practice medicine.
Following successful completion of your residency, you will be required to sit for the United States Medical Licensing Examination, often known as the USMLE. This exam begins with a full day of intensive examination on the principles of medicine, which is the first stage in the process. Your knowledge of clinical applications will be evaluated in the second section, and in the third and final phase, your understanding of patient management and other clinical concepts will be evaluated. After you have successfully completed this test, you will either be granted a license to practice medicine in the United States or allowed to go on to a specialized fellowship.
Think About Applying for a Fellowship
You will need to submit an application for a fellowship if you want to pursue a speciality. Cardiology, gastrointestinal, hematology, ophthalmology, oncology, and pulmonology are all common fields for medical specialists to pursue fellowships in. If being a surgeon is your ultimate goal, you might consider applying for a surgical fellowship, which will allow you to specialize in a field of surgery such as pediatrics, vascular, colon and rectal, orthopedic, organ transplant, or surgical oncology.
You are not required to complete a fellowship in order to work as a general practitioner, despite the fact that subspecialty training is available in almost all medical subfields. In most fellowships, you may anticipate to spend a year there, although some surgical fellowships may need more time from you.
Take Pleasure in a Salary and Benefits Package That Meets Your Needs
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual income for a physician or surgeon in the United States in 2017 was $208,000. Some people earn far more than others. Pay is impacted not just by area of expertise but also by subspecialty, as well as location. It is anticipated that there would be a 13% rise in available positions for doctors and surgeons between now and the year 2026. A population that is becoming older will contribute to the need for increasing medical services.