How hard is it to become a doctor? Please give me good advice on how to become one?

Question

Im in the 9th grade, and my parents dont make loads of money. But right now, I attend a high school that specializes in the health careers, so this helps. BUt please give me more advice.

Oh yeah, I would like to work in a big city area like New York, or in RWJUH in New Brunswick, NJ.

I dont mind going to school for a long time, it seems like it is worth it.

Answer 1

The first step is not wasting high school time, and to do very well in school, specifically in math and sciences. While medical schools look at your overall GPA's, they also look at your math and science GPA seperately, which many people don't realize. Go as far as you possibly can in both of these areas, and learn as much as you can. On top of that, do extracurricular activites that help your community. Schools love hearing about these things.

The next step after high school is getting into a good four-year school, and getting your bachelors degree. If you do very well academically or excell in a certain area, you could get a full or partial scholarship. While many people major in pre-med, this is not necessary. You could major in anything, as medical schools like their students to have diverse educational backgrounds, and only want to make sure that you have taken the courses they require. That being said, while in undergrad school, make sure you've taken all of the classes the medical schools you want to attend require for applying no matter what your major is.

After you graduate from college, you will need to take the MCAT, which is the test every medical school student must pass to be admitted to medical school. This test is very difficult, but there are many study guides and groups and classes that you can take to help you prepare. It takes several hours to take the test, and you are allowed to take it more than once.

Once you get a passing score on the MCAT, it's time to apply to medical schools! You may have to take out a lot of expensive loans for this, but once you get through medical school, you will be able to pay them back. It is very competitive to get into medical school, so you want the best GPA, the best MCAT score, the best essay and activites that you can possibly have. You want to shine.

There are two kinds of medical schools, schools where you can get an MD, and schools where you can get a DO. While MD is the most commonly thought of when thinking of doctor, both are qualified in every area and accepted in every type of facility. Because many people want the MD title, it is easier to get into school to become a DO than an MD. They utilize slightly diferent methods in some things, but by and large they are the same, and are recognized as such.

So you've done well in high school, in college, on you MCAT, and gotten through medical school: Now you have to do your residency. This is when you are technically a doctor, but still not qualified to practice anywhere, and you need to work on real cases, usually at a teaching hospital with supervision. Your residency length is determined by the type of physician you want to become. If you are going into podiatry, for example, the general time is one year. If you are going to become a surgeon however, that time is dramatically increased to sevearl years.

After residency, in most cases you are free to go and practice. Some people choose to get more specialized however, and do fellowships, and other such practicing/learning moves.

In total:
4 years for BA (or BS)
3-4 years for med school (depending on the school)
1-5 years residency

That's between 8 and 13 years after high school! It's a very long journey but it's worth it if you have a passion for it.

It's good to note that getting one of these things not quite right doens't totally ruin your chances, unless it's an absolute requirement. This is just the guideline. Also, there are some programs (such as the program at UMKC) that combines a bachelors degree with a medical degree, and downsizes the total time to five years before residency (rather than 7 to 8 years.) As you know you want to be a doctor now, you could start preparing to get into a program like that now. It's very very competitive obviously, but not impossible!

You can do it :) Start planning now, and your dreams will happen.

Answer 2

The toughest part of becoming a doctor is making sure your head is in the right place. You must be motivated to study constantly during the week. It is also getting to the point that you will have to specialize in something, you can't just be a general doctor anymore. This means you will do a few years residency followed by 4-5 years of special training residency. I am currently pre-med and do not have a life during the week. This is my second year as an under-grad and it is most definitely the hardest year. If you truly want to become a doctor, it is easy, as you will not mind the hard work and continuous studying. Trust me, I never studied in high school, but now study in between all classes and during the day on the weekends while going out at night and couldn't be happier.

Answer 3

Start now by looking into scholarships. You also can probably get financial aid if your parents don't make above a certain amount. Ask family members for a graduation present of a donation into a college fund savings account. Plan to go to college for 6-8 years depending on what you want to do exactly. If you are successful you can then buy your parents a dream house in their favorite city! Good luck, you can do it!

Answer 4

do u want 2 become a doctor for the money or is it because you have a passion for it. its goin 2 b hard if u r pursuing this career witout a passion but anyway it take approximatly 10 years to become a doctor. 4 years undergrad, 4 years medical school, about 2 years for residency.

Answer 5

You will need to go to college and major in pre-med. Then you apply to a medical school. You will need to research which medical school you wish to attend and meet their requirements for acceptance. Medical school will typically be another four years. If you wish to specialize you will need to complete a residency program where you are trained in a specific field. Usually another two year.

Answer 6

Do your dead level best in school. Your high school grades can get you into a good college. Look into colleges that have people getting into med school. (Seattle Pacific University, my college has something like 90% of those applying to med school getting in), then work you butt off in college and apply to med school.
so:
1---work very hard in hiigh school, get the best grades that you can...keep your eye on your goal
2---apply for scholerships in 10 and 11 grades, talk to your school counselors about funds. Also in 12th grade, apply for federal monies....there is an application on line and your school counselor can also help you with that
3--look for colleges that have people applying and getting into med schools
4--work hard in college, this will help you get into med school
5---good luck and God bless!!!

Answer 7

Hard work, good study of concepts in physics, chemistry and biology, and good skill in writing objective type exams for the various entrance exams and above all a positive approach, constantly telling yourself that you will make it to be a good doctor, will see you succeeding in your attempts to become a doctor. all the best.

Answer 8

you will have to study it for 7 years, and this will include getting a degree and a PHD. but it will be worth it in the end as experienced doctor's earn around £100,000 a year ($200,000 i think) i'd say go for it

Answer 9

be prepared to have no life thru your residency....say 12 years investment

Answer 10

dont you have to go to college for 7 years?