Being a doctor is one of the most difficult ways to make a living – but it is also one of the most rewarding. Helping to save lives makes you feel like you've made a difference, and the financial compensation will allow you freedom that makes up for the long hours. Because it takes so long to become a doctor, it's good to get all of the prerequisites out of the way as soon as possible. That means delving into the sciences from high school onwards.
1. College: Once you get to college you should major in one of the sciences and follow a pre-med track. Organic chemistry, biology, physics, microbiology and biochemistry will help to prepare you for the MCAT, the entrance exam for medical school. It is important to do extraordinarily well in these classes and to try to attain the highest possible GPA. Along with your MCAT scores, your GPA is what most medical schools use to determine if you are worthy of admittance. You should also volunteer in a healthcare setting or laboratory to understand what medicine is all about.
2. Applying to Med School: Admission means that you need letters of recommendation, essays, and the cash to pay admission fees. It's important if you don't get in to medical school to reassess whether you really want to become a doctor. Getting a master's or taking a year to do research is a way to improve your standing for next year's application process. If you are accepted, you will likely have to interview, which you should prepare for in advance.
3. Medical School: Four years long, your education will involve lots of hands-on learning. Good luck. During this time you will decide what kind of doctor you want to be. During your last year, you will find a residency “match” that will accept you.
4. Residency: Your first year of residency is called PGY1 and it may be difficult for you, especially because of the lack of sleep involved. Medical scrubs are very comfortable, but sleeping in the residents lounge is not. Usually residency lasts 5-6 years, but can be longer if you are interested in surgery. During residency you will have to take tests to assess your progress. For a specialty, a final certification test is usually required, and you may want to do a fellowship, which can last 2-3 years.
By this time you will be in your early 30s if you begin medical school immediately after college. There is a growing trend for residents and medical school students to begin later, after deciding definitively that they want to practice medicine. Although becoming a doctor takes a long time, it is worth it if it is something that you know you want to do. Doing what you love will be rewarding on its own, no matter how sleepy or hungry you are during those nights in residency. Plus, you will have a cushy salary when all is said and done, and the respect of your peers, family and friends, as someone who saves lives.
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