How to Become a Medical Doctor

So, you want to become a doctor. Well be prepared to spend a lot of time buried in books and then in a hospital. It is also very expensive to become a physician; most people have to take out large loans and then spend many years during residency to pay them back.

The decision to become a medical doctor should be made after you have spent time in researching the profession and the steps it takes to embark on this long, arduous, challenging and very competitive career path. It is one of the hardest professions to attain in the United States--and it not only takes passion, dedication and personal and financial sacrifices--it also entails lifelong learning and continuous examinations. Be prepared to STUDY, STUDY and more STUDY.

This article will show you some ways and offer advice on how to start the journey to becoming a medical doctor.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Do your research and find out as much as you can from the vast resources available on the Internet, local libraries and book stores on how to enter medical schools and what exams and credentials are required for the admissions programs at U.S. medical schools.
2. The best time to embark on this medical path is early in childhood. If you know that your child is interested in entering the medical profession, then encouragement to perform well in academics and to keep a high GPA is very important. In high school, study a lot of science including biology, chemistry and physics. Math courses including algebra, geometry, trigonometry and calculus are also useful. For very dedicated and academically-motivated children, there are a few medical programs that offer a guaranteed path into accredited medical schools known as the Bachelor-Medical Doctorate (BS-MD) programs which allow exceptional students to compete and be chosen to enter a medical program straight after graduating from high school. In college, maintain a high grade point average. The competition for medical school is intense. College students must study a lot of science, including organic and inorganic chemistry, math and English. Studying humanities and social sciences in college is also useful.
3. Research all the medical schools and medical programs available in the United States and look at the requirements for admission. Each college or university has different requirements and prerequisites for passing, so it is important to find out the specifics and to make a ranking list of the top 10 to 20 medical schools that you would like to apply to.
4. When the admissions committee at the medical school receives the application from a potential candidate they will look at the person's academic and personal profile and background. Some of the important qualities expected of a medical doctor are compassion/social awareness and volunteering. It is important to start building up a history of volunteer work in local communities and hospitals and be involved and proactive in global issues and charities.
5. Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) is one very important and necessary requirement for all potential pre-medical applicants, and you must score and rank high on the test before you are selected for an interview at most U.S. medical schools. There are special review courses offered throughout the country that help pre-medical students study for the MCAT, for example Sylvan Learning Centers.
6. To become a stronger and more competitive applicant try to obtain a part-time position or volunteer for a research position at a university, college or research hospital. It would show the selection committee that you are serious and committed to this path, especially if your research projects get published in a medical journal or you have experience in presenting at medical conferences and seminars.
7. If you are successful and have been selected to enter a medical program, then be prepared to study, study--and even more study. Being a medical doctor is a lifelong activity and you will take exams year after year throughout your professional career.
8. Becoming a doctor means taking out large financial loans or funds from your own personal accounts. The medical profession is a long, hard, competitive journey which requires not only years of studying and large financial expenses, but also a readiness and willingness to work long and irregular hours.
9. Once you have completed the four years of medical school, then you have to apply for a residency program in the United States to become licensed to practice in this country. You must take the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) before you can apply for a residency program. Most programs are 4 to 6 years depending on the specialty that you are interested in entering. Some residency programs can be even longer, for example, becoming a neurosurgeon.
10. If you have tried and have been unsuccessful in entering a medical program, then another alternative is to try obtaining your MD degree from another country and then applying for a residency program as a Foreign Medical Graduate. There are medical schools in Europe and the Carribbeans that will offer you this choice. The company SOURCE AMERICA (sourceamerica.net) has over a decade of experience in application processing, student relocation and international program oversight, and can be the stepping-stone for many of our future doctors in the United States. Source America guides students in applying to medical school and becoming successful practicing physicians in the United States or in Europe. For these students, who are the next generation of health care professionals in America, Source America offers an affordable international program in medicine (see link in Resources below).

Tips & Warnings

• It is difficult and very competitive to enter a medical program in the United States if you are an older pre-medical student. Most of the U.S. medical schools have age restrictions or make it very difficult for mature applicants to pass their requirements. In these cases there are alternative paths to becoming a medical doctor. There are medical programs outside the United States that will take pre-medical students and allow them to obtain their medical degree and then apply for residency as a Foreign Medical Graduate.
• See Resources below for links to helpful websites for medical students.
• Several Caribbean-based medical schools have been graduating medical students who have successfully entered and completed U.S. residency programs and are practicing medicine in this country (see link in Resources).
• Be prepared to have another career plan in case you don't succeed in becoming a doctor.