The path to becoming an MD begins with completing a four year undergraduate degree program at a college or university. Most people interested in a career in medicine will major in a science discipline during their undergraduate career, although that is not necessary. However, if you do not major in a science, you will keep, need to keep in mind that you'll want to do all of the science prerequisites; that is physics, general chemistry, organic chemistry, biological sciences, and calculus, in order to be prepared for the Medical College Acceptance Test, or the MCAT. The MCAT is a standardized exam that all applicants to medical school must take. The MCAT tests the student's knowledge of the physical sciences, biological sciences, as well as verbal reasoning, and writing. The next step in becoming an MD is to actually apply to medical school. There is a standardized application service called AMCAS that most of the accredited medical schools of the United States subscribe. With AMCAS, you can apply to one or all of the medical schools, and most students will choose to apply to multiple schools because of the competitive nature of medicine. Once accepted to medical school, it is an additional four year educational commitment; the first two years of which are typically reserved for didactic instruction in health sciences, and the second two years are typically reserved for training in clinical skills. Along the way, the medical student must pass both parts of the United States Medical License Exam. The first part tests their basic knowledge of health sciences; whereas, the second tastes tests their basic competency in clinical care. Upon completing medical school, and passing the USMLE the phys, the new physician is granted the degree of MD. At this point however, the new physician is not yet ready to practice. The physician must also complete a residency. Residency programs will range from three to eight or more years, depending on the specialty in which the physician wishes to practice. For a general practitioner or a pediatrician this might be three years, or for a surgeon it might be five or more. Upon completing residency some doctors will also choose to go on and do a fellowship. This is particularly important if they wish an academic career. Having completed their medical training, they are now able to sit for the state license exam in the state in which they want to practice. Physicians can be licensed in more than one state. With license in hand, the physician is ready to private, to enter private practice.
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