What educational requirments do I need to become a medical doctor?

Question

In detail, what are the educational requirments to become a surgeon after completing high school

Answer 1

You can do ANY college major and be eligible for medical school as long as you complete the medical pre-requisite coursework.

1 year general chem (with lab)
1 year organic chem (with lab)
1 year general biology (with lab)
1 year intro. physics (with lab)
1 year English
1 year calculus (some schools don't require this, but take it and cover your bases)
Not mandatory, but suggested coursework includes: psychology, statistics, biochemistry, humanities

The trick is to NOT major in biology. Biology major pre-meds are a dime a dozen, and they will be your stiffest competition for A's. You want A's. To get them, become a HUMANITIES major, ace the easy fluffy stuff, then focus your power on the prereqs. You'll graduate with a higher GPA, and not suffer from much of the stress the rest of us feel when we're up against 400 bio majors with the same goal of topping the curve. I was a molecular biology major, and it singlehandedly ruined my chances of getting into medical school.

So, you should shoot for 3.5+ GPA (and as many A's as you can manage in your science classes). Take the MCAT in your 3rd year so you can spend 4th year applying to med school. On the MCAT, score at least 10 in each section of the exam.

Apply to med school and get in. Then spend 4 years in med school, taking the boards (USMLE) along the way. Do *really* well on the boards. You will need to place highly to earn a place in a surgical residency.

After med school, you will spend at least 4 years in residency and specialization. For more info on that, check out http://www.facs.org/medicalstudents/readings.html

Answer 2

Surgeons are MDs in the US. So you must complete medical school first, then begin training in surgery.

To get into medical school is a difficult process. You will be competing against a lot of very good students. Most premeds major in bio, chem or related fields. This is for two reasons: first, they like that stuff - it's the reason why they want to be MDs in the first place, because bio and chem is what physicians do every day of their lives; and second, because it is vitally important that you do well on the MCATs in order to get into med school, and the MCATs focus on information from bio, chem and physics/math courses, not on courses in the humanities.

It's true that many pre meds major in humanities, but if they have a high GPA in their humanities courses and get Bs in their techie courses and a mediocre MCAT score, then they are not getting into med school.

You can learn more about the entire process of med school applications by checking out the website of the American Association of Medical Colleges AAMC online. That is the authoritative source that can tell you WAY more than any random anonymous nobody on Yahoo.

Answer 3

Paying Your Dues "Social workers face significant educational requirements. Most initial positions, which are primarily clerical, require only a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work (B.S.W.) or a related field, such as psychology or sociology. For positions which involve psychological recommendations or assessments, or for positions with more responsibility, a Master’s in Social Work (M.S.W.) is required. Over 300 colleges offer B.S.W.s and over 100 offer M.S.W.s and are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Those who wish to advance to policy or director positions are asked to complete a Ph.D. in social work. Nearly all programs require extensive field work and client contact. Traditional coursework includes social welfare policies, political science, human behavior, research methodology, and abnormal psychology. All states have strict licensing requirements for social workers, and additional professional certifications are available from the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). Private practitioners are encouraged to earn professional certifications, as it helps in collecting reimbursement for services from insurance providers."

Answer 4

Bachelor's degree from a college or university, preferably in a field like biology, chemistry, or biochemistry. Take the suggested "pre-med" curriculum and pay attention to the special "pre-med" advisor.

Go to medical school and get an MD. Do your internships and residency in surgery.

Answer 5

A level: AAB required at full A2-level; all subjects taken at the same sitting. Subjects required: Chemistry plus one from Biology, Human Biology, Physics, Mathematics plus one further rigorous academic subject [i.e. 60% theoretical content]. A combination of three sciences will be regarded as equally acceptable at A2-level. We do not accept two AS-levels in place of one A2-level.

We expect at least four subjects at AS-level. We are aware the curriculum for some schools will only allow three AS subjects to be taken. These students will not be disadvantaged if written confirmation of this policy is provided by the school.


GCSE: At least seven subjects are required at C or above; at least five must be at A or A*. Physics and Biology are required either at AS or at GCSE at minimum grade C. (Chemistry is essential at A2). If Dual Award Science is offered the minimum is BB. English Language and Mathematics are required at GCSE minimum grade B. Please see separate paragraph about alternative English Language qualifications.

Scottish: Students wishing to apply for A106 must offer one of the following:

Three Advanced Highers including Chemistry, one other subject from Mathematics, Biology or Physics, plus one other rigorous subject. Grades AAB required
Two Advanced Highers plus one A2-level [subjects above]. Grades AAB required; or
Two Advanced Highers plus one new Higher [subjects to include Chemistry at Advanced Higher] plus one other science at Advanced Higher, and a further rigorous subject. Grades AAA required
We require a minimum of four subjects at Intermediate Level 2 with a good range of grades including English Language and Mathematics. Any science subject not being offered at the Higher or Advanced Higher Level must have been passed at Intermediate Level 2.

International baccalaureate:

Major subjects in Chemistry plus Biology, Physics or Mathematics plus one further academic subject. Any sciences not offered at Higher Level must be taken at Subsidiary Level or at GCSE. 34 points required overall, to include three Grade 6 passes at Higher Level including Chemistry, plus Grades of 6,5,5 at Subsidiary Level.