Every year thousands of prospective medical students spend hundreds of thousands of dollars paying for tuition, only to find out that a medical profession does not suit them. Many people aspire to become doctors, whether it be to help others or for the high salary. Yet, they often do not know the difficulties faced by doctors as they study in college, become admitted to medical school, complete their residency, and find the work setting that best suits them. The purpose of this research project is to provide in-depth information about the realities of medical school and the necessary requirements in order to become a doctor. The first major step to becoming a doctor requires admission to a medical school. Many factors can increase chances
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Maintaining a high grade point average in these courses is beneficial to further the likelihood of admission. Additionally, shadowing physicians and conducting personal research relevant to the student's field of study carry great weight in evaluating a program application. According to Dr. Dauphin, “Medical schools do not want a robot. Sure, they want someone who is dedicated to their studies, but grades and courses are not everything. They love to see a person who is well rounded and has other interests. Pursue art or take up a sport, show them that you are capable of being a strong student and having a personal life as well.” How well a person does on the MCAT, or Medical College Admission Test, is another major determinant of their likelihood of being accepted into medical school. The MCAT is a standardized test that allows medical schools to see how developed a person’s critical thinking and problem solving skills are as well as their knowledge of the medical sciences. This exam covers many topics such as biology, biochemistry, physical science, chemistry, …show more content…
Many students choose to complete their residency at the hospital that associates with the medical school they attended. Residency differs from medical school because it moves patient responsibility from the instructors to the resident. Residents become responsible for all aspects of patient care. “Residency is incredibly stressful because not only do you feel personally responsible for the outcome of your patients but also at the same time have to worry about following a strict schedule of meetings and consultations and have to worry about finding time to study for your own certification exams” (Dauphin, Personal Interview, 2016). Students must choose the area of medicine they want to pursue and find a residency program that suits their needs. “Through a national matching program, newly graduated MDs enter into a residency program that is three to seven years or more of professional training under the supervision of senior physician educators. The length of residency training varies depending on the medical specialty chosen: family practice, internal medicine, and pediatrics, for example, require 3 years of training; general surgery requires 5 years” (“Requirements for Becoming a Physician”, 2000). Once residency has been completed, these doctors can choose to undergo further
Maintaining a high grade point average in these courses is beneficial to further the likelihood of admission. Additionally, shadowing physicians and conducting personal research relevant to the student's field of study carry great weight in evaluating a program application. According to Dr. Dauphin, “Medical schools do not want a robot. Sure, they want someone who is dedicated to their studies, but grades and courses are not everything. They love to see a person who is well rounded and has other interests. Pursue art or take up a sport, show them that you are capable of being a strong student and having a personal life as well.” How well a person does on the MCAT, or Medical College Admission Test, is another major determinant of their likelihood of being accepted into medical school. The MCAT is a standardized test that allows medical schools to see how developed a person’s critical thinking and problem solving skills are as well as their knowledge of the medical sciences. This exam covers many topics such as biology, biochemistry, physical science, chemistry, …show more content…
Many students choose to complete their residency at the hospital that associates with the medical school they attended. Residency differs from medical school because it moves patient responsibility from the instructors to the resident. Residents become responsible for all aspects of patient care. “Residency is incredibly stressful because not only do you feel personally responsible for the outcome of your patients but also at the same time have to worry about following a strict schedule of meetings and consultations and have to worry about finding time to study for your own certification exams” (Dauphin, Personal Interview, 2016). Students must choose the area of medicine they want to pursue and find a residency program that suits their needs. “Through a national matching program, newly graduated MDs enter into a residency program that is three to seven years or more of professional training under the supervision of senior physician educators. The length of residency training varies depending on the medical specialty chosen: family practice, internal medicine, and pediatrics, for example, require 3 years of training; general surgery requires 5 years” (“Requirements for Becoming a Physician”, 2000). Once residency has been completed, these doctors can choose to undergo further