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I graduated last June. I decided I wanted to take a year off school to really find what I want to do with my life, and of course to save up money for school finances. I love being swamped with work and always busy, even if it means no time for relationships. But I've been working ALOT and volunteering at the Hospital ALOT. I decided I want to become a doctor. I know it's not an easy path to go and not always assuring, but it's what I really really want to do. I know that there is Pre-Med major, then Med-School, but then what? I mean, does anybody know exactly what the real path is like, with debts and all that? I've researched many sites and I'd rather know from a person with experience. I'm sorry this is like a book, but please help? Thanks.

2006-11-29 12:56:42 · 5 answers · asked by linda l 2 in Science & Mathematics Medicine

5 answers

You can go into as much debt as you want to. Seriously, if you barge straight through at expensive schools, you'll be paying off your debts just about the time your kids hit college.

My advice is this:

Undergraduate: Find a subject you love, and major in that. You will still need to take all the pre-med courses (anatomy/physiology, chemistry, organic chem, physics, and I'd recommend biochem and genetics as well). I have friends who are great doctors, and majored in engineering, art, math and other non-medical things. Get good grades. You are better off getting good grades at an average school than mediocre grades at a tough school. You'll get out of college what you put into it. If you work part time, get grants or scholarships, and pick a school that doesn't cost too much, you don't have to have a huge debt load.

MCAT: Study like hell. Learn what needs to be learned for the MCAT and kick butt on that test.

Med School: If you want to reduce your debt, consider the military (they'll pay your way through med school for 8 years of service) or other government programs - there are some that pay your debt if you work in underserved areas, or in public health jobs. You'll have to research that, and you have at least 4 years to do so.

After medical school, you are qualified to do nothing. You have to do a residency. You get paid as a resident, but not much. The hours are long, but it's better now than it used to be. Residency is a minimum of 3 years, and can go 7 or more, depending on what you want to do. YOU HAVE TO START PAYING BACK YOUR LOANS AS A RESIDENT, even if you're not making much. Keep that in mind as you accumulate debt.

Hope that helps.

2006-11-30 04:35:43 · answer #1 · answered by Pangolin 7 · 2 0

The pre-med college major most likely to succeed in medical school is psychology. That being said, the link below lists the typical prerequisites for admission to medical school. It is not that difficult to get into many medical schools. The trick is making the grade afterwards. As soon as you have the college prerequisites, you can apply for medical school. Medical school is 3-4 years for a general practitioner's degree, followed by internships and further specialty education and credentialing. Cost is least expensive at state Universities. Look into communities that offer to pay for everything in exchange for your practice afterwards in their area. Most students take it easy first two years of undergraduate college. Don't. Slam into the math and science and concentrate on excellent grades. You'll be competing later on with a much more mature and older medical school applicant. Average age of first semester med students is way up there in some programs. The older student is tough competition.

http://www.csbsju.edu/premed/Infoyear/Firstyear%20info/premed_prerequisites.htm

2006-11-29 21:12:14 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

There is no 'pre-med' major per se. Debts from medical school alone are an average of 125,000. I currently owe 157,000, which includes my undergraduate. What you do after med school is residency, which is a painful and semi-abusive 'learning experience'. Is there something more specific that you would like to know. I served on the admissions committee at my residency for 3 years. Let me know what specifics you want, and i'll try to answer. Feel free to email me.

2006-11-29 21:43:51 · answer #3 · answered by michalakd 5 · 1 0

Graduated what? High school?

Please don't be a "pre-med" major (i.e., biology or biochem). Other science fields make great backgrounds for doctors, as do the humanities.

I strongly advise you to find a way to get your education without accruing a lot of debt.

2006-11-29 22:56:31 · answer #4 · answered by grotereber 3 · 0 0

look if u clear ur pmt n get add in good coll then it will b too cheap bcoz fees is not too much in govt college in if u want on pay ment seat so 4 dat u gotta take loan n for dat u must consult some trustalbe person and not anyone on net ok so go ahead n chase ur dream.....n when u will prove urself then u can pay back the loan taken......so god luck n trust ur near ones n god

2006-11-30 02:44:21 · answer #5 · answered by neha 2 · 0 2

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