Hi everyone, I'm a junior in high school and I've started thinking about a career as a physician. Can anyone tell me how many years it takes to complete the necessary education and training to become a physician? Thanks in advance!
Hi there! It's great to see you considering a career as a physician. Here's a general breakdown of the education and training timeline:
1. Undergraduate Education (4 years): You'll begin by completing a bachelor's degree, typically in a pre-med or science-related major. Although it's not strictly required to major in a specific field, it is essential to complete the prerequisite coursework for medical schools, which usually includes biology, chemistry, physics, and math.
2. Medical School (4 years): After completing your undergraduate education, you'll attend medical school, which typically lasts 4 years. The first two years consist mainly of classroom and lab instruction. The last two years are focused on clinical rotations, where you'll gain hands-on experience in various specialties under the supervision of physicians.
3. Residency (3-7 years, depending on specialty): Following medical school, you'll enter a residency program in your chosen specialty. Residency duration varies depending on the specialty; for example, family medicine and pediatrics usually require 3-year residencies, while surgery and some subspecialties may require 5-7 years.
4. Optional Fellowship (1-3 years): After completing your residency, you may choose to pursue a fellowship for further specialization within your field. Fellowships typically range from 1-3 years, depending on the area of focus.
In summary, it takes a minimum of 11 years of post-high school education and training to become a physician, although the actual duration may be longer, depending on your chosen specialty and whether you pursue a fellowship. Keep in mind that the journey to becoming a physician is commitment-intensive and requires dedication, but it can also be an extremely rewarding career choice. Good luck!
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