Steps to Become a Doctor

So, you think you have it in you to actually help save lives? Well, having the will to enter this noble profession is indeed the first step, but, note that the path is fairly long. Determination and focus are of utmost importance. I am sure many people may have "sat you down" and given you advise on how to be a doctor. I got the same! So I decided to list down easy (to understand) steps to become a doctor!

Step 1: Graduate High School: This is a very obvious step. You NEED to graduate high school, and with good grades too. Your grades are important for your selection in to a good college as well as proving your inclination and aptitude in science.

Step 2: College with required coursework: You don't particularly require a science degree from college to get into medical school. But, certain subjects would make it a whole deal easier to crack the MCAT. Make sure that you do have these subjects (or at least a basic understanding of it)
College Biology 111 & 112
College Chemistry 111 & 112
Molecular and Microbiology
Organic Chemistry (This is a tough but vital subject!)
Calculus 1 (minimum)
Algebra-Based Physics 1 (you require to take calculus before this, so that you understand it better). If you get a low score on any, RETAKE the course. The score in the retaken test will be used to calculate your GPA.

Step 3: Make sure you give (and clear) MCAT during your senior year: MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) is the test you need to clear in order to get into a medical school. The better you score at this, the better the school you get in to. It is suggested (in the previous paragraph itself) that certain subjects be taken in college to make sure your MCAT is a relative breeze-through.

Step 4: Med School: Obviously, your next step is application to medical school. Make your application as impressive as possible. Keep in mind that the panel reading your application should find you deserving, knowledgeable but not an obtrusive know-it-all.

Step 5: Interview: If selected after the elimination at the application stage, you will need to prepare for and give the admission interview. For this again, be confident but not over-confident. You should seem eager to learn, but not a retard with random questions.

Step 6: Graduate: Simple and sweet! Graduate from college comfortably. Note, the "fun" is about to begin!

Step 7: Matriculate: The next step would be to matriculate to medical school.

Step 8: 2 years of Classroom Education: Post matriculation you will be taking classes for 2 years. This could lead to a little bit of suffocation for a few, but you need to stay focused. Theory is often the key to better practice.

Step 9: USMLE-1: At this stage (post 2 years of in-class education) you will need to give your first USMLE. These exams assess if you have understood and can apply the basic concepts of medical science.

Step 10: 2 years of Clinical Rotation: Once you have gotten through your USMLE-1, you will be on 2 years of clinical rotation. Many people are seen to develop "information overload" due to this. You need to stay calm and focused.

Step 11: USMLE-2: After the 2 years of clinical rotation, USMLE-2 will assess your clinical application ability in medical science. Not tough to crack if you have gathered enough knowledge in the past 2 years.

Step 12: Apply for Residency: Now you get to select a residency. Make a wise decision based on both, your interest as well as aptitude.

Step 13: Graduate from Medical School: So, finally you graduate and the prefix of Dr. or suffix of Do. or MD can be added to your name.

Step 14: Residency Completion: Complete your residency. This should take anything between 3 to 7 years, depending on your selection.

Step 15: Fellowship or Practice: Once you have completed your residences, two roads could open up. You could take up a fellowship and further specialize in it or you could practice medicine at a hospital or private practice.

A doctor's job is a very noble one; once you have joined the medical bandwagon, make sure that you understand your responsibilities. You could be irritable and irritated like Becker (Ted Danson, the lead in the TV series "Becker"), but if you do your job right, you have done justice to your degree and your conscience.