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#1042 - 06/13/02 10:38 AM where do I begin?
Anonymous
Unregistered


Hi,

I am really interested in becoming a doctor, I have not yet started college. Where do I even begin? Sorry to sound stupid but can someone explain the process to me? what do I need to do? How do I start.. i've read some things but now i'm even more confused!

cool

Millie

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#1043 - 06/13/02 11:13 AM Re: where do I begin?
efex101 Offline
Super Elite Member

Registered: 06/09/02
Posts: 2254
Loc: MN
If you have not started college you need to enroll in school for a degree that you like. You do not have to major in anything specific as long as you take the classes required for medical school entrance. The classes that *most* medical schools require are (and some specific medical schools have additional classes check the MSAR for that)one year of General Biology with lab, one year of General Inorganic Chemistry with lab, one year of General Physics (trigonometry based) with lab, one year of Organic Chemistry with lab, and most schools require one year of English (but this varies). So you can take these pre-requesites in any order, except that General Inorganic Chemistry is required (at most schools) before you can take Organic Chemistry. Your best bet is once you enroll in the undergraduate school of your choice to make an appointment with the pre-med advisor he/she can guide you on what to take and when. You will also have to take the MCAT (Medical College Admissions Test), this is *usually* taken during your Junior year of undergrad so that you can then matriculate the following fall for medical school right after undergraduate graduation. You apply to med school *one year* before you anticipate starting medical school, so the people applying this year will start med school next year. You want to get as much exposure to medicine as possible before applying, you can do this by volunteering 4 hours per week at you local hospital and if you start early you will gain invaluable insight into clinical medicine. Medical schools also like to see involvement in other extracurricular activities aside from studying, they are looking for a well-rounded individual that can see the benefit of other non-medical related activities. So although you need to get the best grades possible, you also want to have a life out of school. They love to see leadership so if you can get involved in any type of leadership positions make sure that you do so. It seems like a lot to do but it is really not *if* you start early and manage your time wisely. They are more concerned with quality versus quantity, in other words you do not have to be involved in 10 different things but maybe just three that are highly meaningful to *you*. Every applicant is different so you can pick what you think will give you the most bang for your buck. If you can and think that you would like it resarch is also highly regarded. If you decide to do it, do it for the experience but not necessarily to just put it on your application. Research can be bench, clinical studies, etc. You are doing good because you have not yet started undergraduate and you know what you would like to do, so you have four years to accomplish this. If you have any more questions or if my answers have confused you more than anything, please feel free to post again. Good luck!

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#1044 - 06/14/02 07:02 AM Re: where do I begin?
glennvally Offline
Member

Registered: 06/12/02
Posts: 105
Loc: Bremerton, WA
That was a great reply from efex101. I wanted to add a link for you (or anyone else looking for this information).

www.howstuffworks.com/becoming-a-doctor.htm

I found this article to be very reader-friendly and informative when I was in your situation and still mystified by the process!

Hope it helps,
Val

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