How many years in college to be a doctor?

I've always wanted to become a doctor, but I'm not exactly sure how long the entire process takes. How many years do I have to spend in college, including undergrad and medical school, to become a doctor?

Becoming a doctor is a substantial time commitment, but it can be extremely rewarding if it's your passion. Here's a general timeline for the education and training process to become a physician in the United States:

1. Undergraduate education (4 years): You'll need to complete a four-year bachelor's degree, typically with a strong emphasis on science courses (biology, chemistry, physics, etc.) and potentially a pre-med track.

2. Medical school (4 years): After completing your undergraduate degree, you'll need to successfully complete a four-year medical school program. In the first two years, you'll focus on the foundational sciences, while the latter two years typically involve clinical studies and rotations.

3. Residency (3-7 years): Following medical school, you'll enter into a medical residency program. The length of your residency will depend on your chosen medical specialty. Primary care residency programs (such as family medicine, internal medicine, or pediatrics) generally take 3 years, while more specialized fields (like surgery, dermatology, and radiology) can range from 4-7 years.

4. Fellowship (optional, 1-3 years): If you decide to pursue sub-specialization within your field, you may participate in a fellowship program after completing your residency. This can last anywhere from 1-3 years.

So, to answer your question, the process of becoming a doctor typically takes between 11-14 years from the time you begin your undergraduate education, plus any additional time for optional fellowships. Keep in mind that this timeline assumes you progress through each stage without any major delays or setbacks along the way.