Doctors save lives, cure disease, and teach people how to develop healthy lifestyles. It's safe to say that their job is one of the most truly important in the world. But it's not easy to become a doctor.
It takes approximately eleven years to earn a medical degree. This includes four years of college, four years of medical school, and a minimum of three years in a residency training program; although this could be as long as eight years, depending on your specialty.
Your college GPA is an important part of your medical school application. Take a heavy course load in science, including biology, chemistry, and physics. In addition, take humanities courses that emphasize reading, writing, and critical thinking skills. Keep your average high, especially in science classes. Be sure to make an impression with professors; you'll need glowing recommendations later.
Once you graduate from college, you'll take the MCAT. This is a timed test broken up into four sections: verbal reasoning, physical sciences, biological sciences, and writing. It consists mostly of multiple-choice questions, along with some timed essays.
After receiving your MCAT score, it's time to apply to medical schools. Most schools use a standardized application form called the AMCAS. This will require personal information, a statement of intent, your transcript and MCAT scores, and several letters of recommendation.
You'll spend four years in medical school, where you'll take classes in the sciences and work with patients under strict supervision. Once you graduate medical school, you'll start a residency program at a hospital. At the end of your residency, you'll be a licensed doctor.
If you want to become a doctor, you'll have to invest time, hard work, and money into your dream.
But, the lives you improve, or maybe even save, will be worth it.
Jennifer Williamson writes on education and careers for an organization which creates websites on distance education programs and accredited online education. Don't reprint this exact article. Instead, reprint a free unique content version of this same article.
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