How long does it take to become a doctor?

Hey everyone! I'm a junior and I'm considering pursuing a career in medicine. I know it takes a while to become a doctor, but exactly how many years would I need to spend in school and residency to complete my medical journey? Any insights would be appreciated!

Hey there! Your interest in pursuing a career in medicine is admirable. To give you a clear timeline, here's a breakdown of the steps involved and the approximate number of years for each:

1. Undergraduate degree (Bachelor's degree): Usually 4 years. This typically involves completing pre-med requirements (biology, chemistry, physics, etc.) and taking the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test).

2. Medical school: 4 years. Medical schools consist of two years of basic science courses and two years of clinical rotations where you'll get hands-on experience in various medical specialties.

3. Residency: This can range from 3 to 7 years, depending on the specialty you choose. Primary care specialties, like family medicine and internal medicine, usually require 3 years of residency, while surgical specialties and other more specialized fields can take 5 to 7 years.

4. Fellowship (optional): If you wish to further specialize in a particular area of medicine, you might pursue a fellowship after completing your residency. Fellowships typically last 1 to 3 years, depending on the specialty.

Considering all these steps, the total time required to become a doctor generally ranges from 11 to 15+ years after high school. Your exact timeline will depend on the specialty you choose and whether or not you pursue a fellowship.

It's important to remember that becoming a doctor is a long and challenging journey, but it can be incredibly rewarding. As you explore this path, continue to learn about different medical specialties and consider shadowing physicians to find what interests you the most. Good luck!