The road to becoming a doctor, be an EMT?, then a Physicians assistant, then MCAT to become a MD ?

Question

I would like to know, if this is the way to become a doctor and be finaincially self sufficient, i.e taking no loans. To do EMT studies to get an EMT certificate, the doing EMT work to satisfy pre medical hands on study, followed by completed a Physicians Assistant studies, using the courses I took for EMT study (chem,bio,oraganic chem, statistics, english, while taking Physics on my own). to get into the PA program. After recieveing a BS and being a PA, I want to apply to medical School, hopefully with a good MCAT score, good field experience (EMT work) while being a PA. Will this increase my chances of being accepted to medical school. Is this a good way of being self sufficient in Income, and is this a good way to become a doc? Thanks .

What I want to know is this a good way to become a doctor, and how long this process will take. Will I be able to do PA studies and MCAT studies while being an EMT while studying? Thanks.

Answer 1

Hi. I don't quite know the requirements to be an EMT or PA, but what I do know is that most medical schools require that you have a background in the physical sciences (along with calculus, stats is is also helpful), but you don't have to have a biology or similar degree per se. Some people who apply to med school have English degrees (but they still took the core required courses).

Here's what you do. First, take a look at what the med programs require. These are easy to find online at the med school websites. Make sure you have the core course requirements. I am sure if the classes you take fr EMT study are similar enough, the medical schools will accept them. BUT..make sure this is the case. Remember also that medical schools want LABS with your classes for chem, orgo, bio, and the basic ones. This means usually two semesters of a full year sequence, such as intro general chem I and II with labs (usually a course with lab is 4 credits, so a full year will be 8 credits per course).

As far as what you do to improve your chances, any hands-on work, whether as an EMT, lab technician, even PA, will help. But you don't have to go through all that (EMT, then PA, then MD) to become a doctor. Be careful not to overload on things and find that you're burned out by the time you start applying to the MD programs. The reason med schools look for some hands-on experience is that they want to see two things: That you are committed to work in this field, especially with people and 2.That you have some experience that is helpful in med school.

The MCAT is important, but you should take it only when you feel ready (but certainly in time before you file your application, say August at thelatest of the year you are appying. So if you were to take it in August '07, you'd be applying for entrance for Fall 2008).

Other things to consider. You should get good recommendations from professors and those who know you in a capacity that is relevant either to science study or to medical work. Start making a list of possible candidates now. If you have a health professions committee at your school or college, get into contact with them because most medical schools ask that the committee directly send their own recommendation if such a committee exists.

As far as MCAT study goes, practice practice practice. Some take the MCAT as early as they finish their core requirements, since the bulk of the science is gen chem, organic chem, physics and biology (including genetics). Learn major concepts, not just formulas (ften formulas are provided, but most students use flash cards to memorize the basic formulas), practice from your textbook and study guide, get a few copies of past tests and take practice exams under timed conditions. It's really about doing problems fast but accurately, and the only way to accomplish this is to practice a lot.

But if you are at an early stage of the game right now, I'd suggest doing your homework about what medical schools want. It woud be a lot of wasted effort to first do all the things you mention (EMT, PA, etc) and then to find out you are missing parts of your application file. It's much easier to research now (just go to any med school website now) and to find out what you need FIRST, and to then strategize later on what you should do. Hope this helps!

Answer 2

You've got some good ideas...but the best way to become an MD is just to bite the bullet and go for it from the start.

First off, EMT Basics generally make about 8 dollars an hour, and those kinds of wages will hardly pay your living expenses through school, much less cover the cost of school. EMT Basics don't take classes like chemistry, bio, organic chemistry, and the like. The EMT Basic course is only a semester long, and it's a technical, hands-on course.

You might be thinking EMT-Paramedic, but unless you go for an associate's degree course, you still won't be taking any advanced level college classes for the EMT-Paramedic certificate. EMT-Paramedics don't make a whole lot either. I'm an EMT-Paramedic, and I still have to take out loans for school (lots of them).

The PA program is a Master's level course in most states. They are actually trying to do away with the Bachelor's level PA degree.

Years of paramedic experience count a lot towards the PA program, because the PA program was designed for those with extensive experience in allied health care. It just doesn't mean much for application towards med school, unfortunately.

Your best bet would be to earn excellent grades in a pre-med degree, volunteer with a local hospital or become an EMT-Basic for experience, and get fantastic scores on your MCAT.

Most physicians take out extensive loans to pay for med school. Trust me, you'd have to be independently wealthy or have really rich parents to be able to pay for med school yourself.

There are lots of great books on becoming a physician, or you can check out these websites:
http://people.howstuffworks.com/becoming-a-doctor.htm
http://becoming-a-doctor.blogspot.com/
http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/14365.html
http://www.wikihow.com/Get-Into-Medical-School

Answer 3

Four years of pre-med studies then take the MCATs. Your work experience, while looking good on a resume will have nothing to do with your acceptance. They only care about grades.

You will not have time to study properly if doing pre-med and medical school correctly to be a full time EMT or PA...the hours are long and unpredictable.

Answer 4

There is honestly no way to go though medical school and residency with having no student loans, I am sorry, and while those are all great things, it would take you forever to get your degree. I would suggest getting your EMT, and then working from there, don't worry about your PA, become an EMT, get your college degree in something with a lot of science background, take your MCAT and apply to schools.

Answer 5

Becoming a medical doctor requires commitment in the field of medicine. If you want to become a doctor because of the incredible salary then it will be very difficult for you on the road to becoming a doctor and when you become one. This is not an easy decision once you have made your decision its hard to go back because you will then begin the long hard road. I recommend you talk this out with your family members and counselor before you have chosen your path.

Answer 6

The schooling is going to take up a lot of time so if you are good at funtioning with little to no sleep then go for it.