5 Important Steps Everyone Must Take on the Path To Becoming a Doctor

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. 

A Career in Medicine: Is It Right for You?

A career in medicine can easily sound attractive. It might be the promise of a high salary that draws you in, or perhaps you have a desire to do good with your career. Whatever your reasons for considering life as a doctor, it's not something to rush into. In fact, it's not really something that is possible to rush into because it requires a lot of preparation. The journey to qualify as a doctor is long, so you have to know that it's what you want. Before you apply for medical schools, you have to decide if a career in medicine is right for you.

Know What It Takes to Get There

Understanding what it takes to start a career in medicine is crucial. The process is different depending on the country where you want to study (and potentially practice). The medical school journey starts as a graduate in the US and other North American countries, whereas other countries offer undergraduate courses in medicine. However, it's not just attending school itself that matters. Even the process to get accepted into a medical school can be long and grueling. Not everyone will make it, so you need to think about whether you have what it takes.

Do You Have the Right Qualities?

The right grades and academic record might help you to get into medical school, but do you have the right qualities and personality traits for a career in medicine? When you're thinking about becoming a doctor, spend some time getting to know yourself.

A career in medicine means committing yourself to lifelong learning, helping others, and working as a team. Why do you want to be a doctor, and what do you think you can contribute? You can consider using tools that assess your personality and qualities to help you gain a better understanding of yourself.

Understand What You Can Really Get Out of It

A lot of people might be drawn to medicine due to potentially high salaries, job security, or the societal status afforded to doctors. But what can you really get out of a career in medicine? It's important to do your research so that you can gain a good understanding of the career outlook for physicians. Consider what the job market looks like and which specialisms are in demand. Take a look at salaries and statistics, as well as what career options and opportunities might be available to you.

Consider the Financial Aspect

Money might at least partially motivate you to be a doctor, but it's also often expensive to achieve your goal. Of course, the reward could be an excellent salary that helps you to pay off your debt quicker. When you're thinking about medical school, research how much it will cost you, how much you will pay for it, and how much you can expect to earn once you're qualified. Even if money isn't the most important thing, it's definitely something that you should consider.

Think carefully about a career in medicine before you decide if it's the right choice for your future.