What do you need to do to become a doctor?

Lately, I've been thinking about pursuing a career in medicine and becoming a doctor. Can anyone give me an outline of the steps to take in terms of education, exams, residencies, etc.? Thanks for the guidance!

It's great to hear that you're considering a career in medicine. Becoming a doctor requires dedication and hard work, but it can be an incredibly rewarding profession. Here's a general outline of the steps involved:

1. Undergraduate studies: Most aspiring doctors start by pursuing a bachelor's degree. There is no specific "pre-med" major, so you can choose a major in any discipline, as long as you complete the prerequisite courses required for medical school (biology, chemistry, physics, etc.). Many students do choose to major in a science-related field, though, like biology or chemistry, because these subjects align with their medical school prerequisites.

2. Medical College Admission Test (MCAT): During your undergraduate studies, usually around your junior year, you'll need to take the MCAT exam. This is a standardized test that evaluates your knowledge in biological and physical sciences, along with verbal reasoning and critical thinking skills. Medical schools use MCAT scores as part of their admission process.

3. Medical school applications: You will apply to medical schools during your senior year of undergraduate studies or after you've completed your bachelor's degree - many students take a "gap year" to engage in research or otherwise bolster their resume. For your application, you will need letters of recommendation, a personal statement, your undergraduate transcripts, and MCAT scores. There are also often additional steps, like an interview, that come after you submit your application. You can apply to multiple schools using a system like the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS).

4. Medical school: Medical school is typically a four-year program. In the first two years, you'll primarily take coursework in basic medical sciences and learn about human anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and more. The last two years often consist of clinical rotations in different medical specialties, where you work under the supervision of physicians and gain hands-on experience with real patients.

5. United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE): To become a licensed physician, you must pass the USMLE, which is divided into three parts (Step 1, Step 2 CK/CS, Step 3). Step 1 is typically taken after the second year of medical school. Step 2 is usually taken during or after the fourth year and is divided into Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) and Step 2 Clinical Skills (CS). Lastly, Step 3 is generally taken during the first year of your residency training.

6. Residency and fellowship: After graduating from medical school, you'll enter a residency program in your chosen specialty. The length of residencies varies depending on the specialty, but they typically last between 3-7 years. During your residency, you will gain supervised, hands-on experience and develop your expertise in your chosen field. Depending on your specialization, you may also pursue a fellowship after residency.

7. Board certification and licensure: After completing your residency (and fellowship, if applicable) and passing all three steps of the USMLE, you can apply for a medical license in the state where you'd like to practice. Additionally, you may choose to pursue board certification in your specialty, which involves passing an exam of the corresponding medical board and meeting specific requirements.

8. Continuing education and licensure renewal: Doctors must regularly participate in continuing medical education (CME) to maintain their medical license and, if applicable, board certification. The specific requirements for CME and licensure renewal depend on the state and specialty. Throughout your career, you'll have the opportunity to engage in professional development, participate in research, and potentially pursue further specialization through additional fellowships.

Finally, if you're looking for ways to pursue your passion for medicine while still in high school, check out this blog post from CollegeVine, which lists a range of internships and summer programs related to medicine for high schoolers: https://blog.collegevine.com/medical-internships-for-high-school-students/. Participating in one could even give you a boost during the college process (the first official step in your journey to becoming a doctor), as admissions officers love to see that you're taking initiative and exploring your interests outside of the classroom!

Best of luck as you embark on this challenging and fulfilling journey!