What exactly is the path to becoming a practicing physician after high school?

Pre-Med & Medical School
1

<p>I'm REALLY interested in getting a degree in either neurology or oncology, so I want to know what to do after high school. I'm the first person in my family to be going to college in the US, and no one in my family is a doctor/medical professional either, so I'm just super confused. Could someone please walk me through the path?</p>

<p>Thank you so much!
Lea</p>

2

<p>The path to becoming a doctor is long one</p>

<p>You will need to attend and graduate from a 4 year college or university. You can choose to major in any field so long as you complete all pre med requirements. While in college you should get involved in extracurricular activities: community service, clinical medical volunteering, clinical or bench research, leadership positions. (You’ll need all of them.)</p>

<p>Once you’ve completed all pre-reqs, you’ll take the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test). Your overall GPA, science GPA and MCAT score will determine your eligibility for admission to medical school. If you meet eligibility criteria, your ECs, LORs, personal statement will be reviewed and if all these match the mission and needs of the medical school, you may get an an interview. (An interview does not guarantee you’ll be admitted, but you cannot be admitted without an interview.) Ultimately only about 40% of students who apply to medical school are accepted.</p>

<p>After 4 years of medical school, you will enter a further medical training period (called a residency). Depending on the specialty, residency last for 3-5 years If you want to further specialize, you will have still more training, called a fellowship. (Neurology requires a 4 years residency; hematology/oncology requires a 3 year residency followed by a 3 year fellowship.)</p>

3

<p>There’s also radiation-oncology which is a 5 year residency.</p>

4

<p>Cliff notes:

  1. Do well in classes especially the pre-reqs like Bio, Chem, Organic, Physics. Maintain a high GPA (above 3.6 preferred), don’t take the most intense classes you can. Just get through all your classes with a HIGH GPA.
  2. Schmooze with some profs to get a few quality Letter of Recs. Do some internships to get other Letters.
  3. Take MCAT and do well (32+).
  4. Save up money and apply. </p>
5

<p>The field of medicine selects the person as much as the person selects the field of medicine. Anticipate changes to occur for they will occur. … </p>

6

<p>Interested in medicine too!
The path is long and hard, which requires patience and commitment…money would help too, since I don’t like the idea of getting into tons of debt!
I think @WayOutWestMom explained perfectly!</p>