The Medical Thread

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by BigRedBeta

4 or 5 years to get your bachelor's degree. During this time you'll need to take 1 year of biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics and likely college math (including calc). You'll also need clinical experience with patients (either through volunteering or shadowing a physician), campus involvement, and probably some type of research activities. You'll also need to score well on the MCAT. Then apply.

IF you get accepted, med school is 4 years - the first two being basic sciences like anatomy, physiology and pathology, then take Step 1 of the USMLE. The third and fourth years are done in the clinics and you learn how to actually take care of patients. During the end of third year/beginning of fourth year, you'll hopefully narrow down a specialty choice (such as pediatrics or surgery or radiology), apply to residency programs in those fields, interview and then submit a list which has the programs ranked in order of your preference. You get matched with a residency program, then residency lasts for 3-7 years depending on what specialty to you enter and if you decide to pursue extra training through a fellowship to become a sub-specialist (eg cardiologist).


Also, I'm not a doctor...yet: 81 days and counting though!

When's Match Day?