5 Important Steps Everyone Must Take on the Path To Becoming a Doctor
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Have you always dreamed of becoming a doctor when you grew up? Maybe you have only made the decision to pursue a medical career recently. Maybe you just want to be a doctor, any kind of doctor, or maybe you have a specific specialty in mind like nephrology or solely focusing on Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Regardless of your personal field preferences, there are certain things anyone wishing to be a doctor must do. Here are five important steps on the path to a career in medicine.
1. Bachelor's Degree
Before even entering medical school, prospective doctors must get a bachelor's degree from an accredited university. There is no specific major requirement for a pre-med bachelor's degree, though there are certain coursework requirements, including the core sciences like biology and chemistry and core math. It is important when pursuing a bachelor's degree to understand that med schools do prefer those with a solid science background and that a high GPA is required. Most medical schools have competitive programs, so the higher the GPA, the better. So high grades should be a goal when obtaining your bachelor's degree, even if you have to get tutoring services like the ones offered by Rachel Tobin Yale to do it.
2. MCAT
You will also have to take the Medical College Admissions Test, or MCAT, and score high on it. Most medical schools require the MCAT to be taken and have a minimum score requirement. The higher your MCAT score is, the more likely you will be to be accepted.
3. Medical Degree
After you have your bachelor's degree and have taken the MCAT, it is time to begin applying for medical school. Medical school is intensive, time-consuming, and energy-consuming. Most medical programs take four years to finish.
4. Residency
The next step is doing a medical residency. Medical residencies offer the chance for in-person experience treating and dealing with real patients. Usually, they are specialized in different areas like pediatrics.
5. License
Finally, you need to be licensed. You cannot get your license unless you have a medical degree from an accredited medical school program, have succeeded in a residency program, and have passed the required exams. Licensing is different depending on the state.
The path to becoming a doctor is long and difficult. However, if you are willing to work and study hard, have the time and resources to dedicate to it, and invest effort and energy, it is doable.