“Why do you want to become a doctor?” is a typical question. You have the option to earn certification in the specialty of your interest from an accredited organization. % of people told us that this article helped them. I have started my volunteer service in a clinic next to the hospital, maybe this can be the start of my success towards medicine. I voiced my desire in preschool and this desire has never wavered. To become a doctor, you'll need to be a hard worker with a passion for learning since it takes between 11 and 15 years to complete all of the educational and training requirements. While a strong grade point average is important, volunteering at a local health clinic or working in a medical facility may be beneficial since it adds to the extracurricular activities that you can list on a medical school application. Web. Medical School and Residency Aren’t the … Look... Research the requirements to become a genetics doctor. Consider also participating in an internship. ", increased my interest in being a medical doctor. 4. She is a practicing Physician and taught as a Clinical Professor for 13 years, after receiving her MD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health in 1998. Tip: You will also need to take the TOEFL if you attended a non-English speaking university and want to attend an English speaking university. [2] Check with each of the schools to see if this is an option. I'm interested in learning math more to work hard.". It is competitive and may require you to apply more than once after getting different experiences, such as medical mission work or research. ", article helped me a lot. Johns Hopkins Medicine Maybe take up the drums or join a running club. The primary reason that an interviewer asks this question is to gauge an applicant’s motivational level. This will help them get into a residency program. Pre-med students usually focus their studies on biology, anatomy and other sciences. Finally, consider a career in locum tenens, where you can make your own hours. You can also volunteer at a local hospital or clinic to learn more about the medical field and gain experience. This helped me know more about what I'm about to face in life. What if I'm not good at math? This means I need to be practical with me life time commitments and dedication, also decision. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. I used it to show my daughter, who is inspired to be a doctor. Then to answer a question such as “Why do you want to be a doctor,” you can narrow your answer to your oncology interests. Research source. …said it was important to communicate with colleges during the search process. My friends want to become managers, economists, and lawyers, girls dream of a career of models, actresses, and singers, but I want to be a doctor. References I chose a doctor and this process has helped a lot with, "For one to become a doctor, you must be determined in your field of study, learn to take matters seriously, and, "I am a teenager and this is my biggest dream. Becoming a doctor is a pretty complex, multi-step process. This article was medically reviewed by Janice Litza, MD. A residency ranges from 3 to 7 years. Earn Transferable Credit & Get your Degree. Do you ask questions when you go the doctor? Admission into medical school is very competitive, and it's important that applicants look for any possible advantage. 8. Board Certified Family Medicine Physician. And this will give her motivation to strive for her goal now. Excellent physicians continuously expand their knowledge. Think about the kinds of work that you want to do and the areas of medicine that you find particularly interesting or rewarding. Do I still have the chance to become a doctor? Choose an undergraduate program that you enjoy and that you will excel in. Do well in high school 2. That being said, mathematics is not a main component of being a doctor and your skill in it is not that important. If you're still in school, focus on taking math and science courses since they'll help prepare you for your future coursework. If you prefer not to take drugs, state that immediately so your doctor doesn’t go on a detour discussing medications. Do you work well in a team? It's important to perform well on this exam in order to get accepted into medical school. Are you willing to put others’ needs above your own? These can last anywhere from 3-7 years, depending on the specialty. Thank you! ", but I learned that it's totally worth it if you achieve your dreams. Just want reassurance, ask for it. Staying up to date on medical advances is important for every field of medicine since new discoveries, treatments, and techniques are being developed all the time. This article received 63 testimonials and 87% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. "This article has helped me become motivated. This article has helped me a lot. ", been my dream ever since I was born. For example, Harvard Medical School will accept AP credits in Chemistry in place of 1 semester of college-level chemistry, but they will not accept AP credits in place of the biology or writing requirements. Doctors are important to personal and community health and well-being. Think about these things as you go through your premed journey. Since my dream is to pursue the medicine field in the future, I am, "I really like the fact that it guides you through the doctor field, also the tips to open your mind at an early, "I think this is a wonderful article. A Doctor of Medicine (MD) program is four years in length, and combines academic coursework with clinical training. Medical schools require that individuals interested in applying take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Then, in every interview thereafter, you need to answer the question once again, but this time in front of a panel of interviewers. I thank the authors who wrote all of this information. Learn how to become a doctor. Thanks a lot for your, "It has helped me a lot. If you haven’t yet picked up on it, I don’t want to be a doctor anymore. Become a licensed doctor by passing your boards 6. Becoming a doctor requires you follow five specific steps: Step 1: Earn a Bachelor's Degree. Take the MCAT (and get a good score) 4. "It is the best to be a doctor because many suffer from many diseases, so we can treat them and gain more knowledge. Need more info on setting up a medical practice? Thank you so much. You can ask them about their path to medicine, how they chose a specialty, and what advice they have for someone who aspires to be a doctor. If you start your undergrad at the age of 18, you'll graduate in four years at the age of 22. Becoming a doctor requires you follow five specific steps: There is no specific major that prospective doctors need to pursue before enrolling in medical school. Approved. If you have a passion for science and medicine, and want a career helping others, you may be considering work as a doctor. Learn about the job description and duties, and read the step-by-step... An admission advisor from each school can provide more info about: Get Started with West Virginia University, Get Started with Weill Cornell Medical College, Get Started with Washington University in St Louis, Get Started with Upstate Medical University, Get Started with University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Get Started with University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. If you hit bumps along the way, don't panic. Also, you should get letters of recommendation. Find Schools. I now know why I have to work hard at school to earn good results, and this article, "Right now I have just stepped into a door of college. Thank you so much! You would also participate in medical rotations that help build your skills within other departments, such as primary care or radiology. Choose your specialty and complete your residency 7. Building Your Skill Set for Medical School, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/8c\/Become-a-Doctor-Step-1-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Become-a-Doctor-Step-1-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/8c\/Become-a-Doctor-Step-1-Version-4.jpg\/aid116857-v4-728px-Become-a-Doctor-Step-1-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"