Requirements for becoming a doctor?

So, I'm considering pursuing a career in medicine and becoming a doctor. What do I need to do during high school and college to achieve this goal? What courses should I focus on, and when should I start thinking about preparing for the MCAT?

It's excellent that you're interested in pursuing a career in medicine. Here's a general roadmap to guide you through high school and college as you work towards becoming a doctor:

High School:

1. Focus on taking a strong course load, including AP or honors classes in science, math, and other subjects.

2. Participate in extracurricular activities related to medicine, such as volunteering at hospitals, joining a science club, or conducting research. You can find a list of summer programs and internships related to medicine on CollegeVine's blog: https://blog.collegevine.com/medical-internships-for-high-school-students

3. Consider taking the most rigorous math and science courses, like AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Physics, AP Calculus, and AP Statistics.

College:

1. Choose a major that aligns with your interests while fulfilling pre-med requirements. Common majors include biology, chemistry, and biochemistry, but you can major in any field as long as you complete the prerequisites for medical school.

2. Complete pre-med coursework, which typically includes general chemistry, organic chemistry, biology, physics, biochemistry, and some social science classes like psychology and sociology. Some medical schools may also require or recommend math and humanities courses.

3. Gain clinical experience through volunteering, internships, or shadowing a physician, to help you understand the field and strengthen your medical school application.

4. Conduct research, either through your major's department, at a hospital, or with a specific faculty member. Research experience is highly valued by medical schools.

5. Maintain a high GPA and develop relationships with professors and mentors who can eventually write strong letters of recommendation for you.

6. Prepare for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) by taking relevant courses, enrolling in MCAT prep courses, using study material from organizations like the AAMC, or employing self-study methods.

MCAT and Medical School Applications:

1. Aim to take the MCAT in the spring or summer before you plan to apply to medical school. While you can go to medical school right from undergrad, many students take a year or two in between, to conduct research, study for the MCAT, and bolster their overall resume.

2. Submit your primary application, which usually includes your personal statement, transcripts, MCAT scores, and letters of recommendation through a centralized application system like AMCAS, AACOMAS, or TMDSAS.

3. Complete secondary applications for medical schools that invite you to do so. These include essays and additional information tailored to each school.

4. Attend interviews at medical schools that invite you. Interview formats may vary, including traditional one-on-one interviews, group interviews, or the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) format.

Following these steps and staying committed to your goal of becoming a doctor will set you on the right path to completing your undergraduate education, getting into medical school, and ultimately pursuing your career in medicine. Good luck!