Is becoming a Pediatrician challenging?

WayOutWestMom
Thu, 27 Mar 2014 14:10:23 +0000

The road to medicine is a long and challenging one with a many hoops to jump thru.

You can major in any field you’d like to in college so long as you complete med school admission requirements–

2 semesters biology w/ labs
2 semesters gen chemistry w/labs
2 semesters organic chem w/labs
2 semesters general physics w/labs
2 semesters “college level” math–one of which which should be statistics
2 semesters of writing or writing intensive courses
1 semester biochem
1 semester intro psychology
1 semester intro sociology

Some medical schools may have additional requirements for things like anatomy & physiology, genetics, English or upper level humanities.

During college you need to get involved in ECs, including all of these-- community service, clinical volunteering , clinical or lab research, physician shadowing, leadership activities. In addition, some schools value teaching or TAing experience.

You need to keep high grades in both your science and non science classes (3.65 is the national average GPA for accepted med students). You will take the MCAT after you’ve finished your pre-reqs and need s strong score on it.

60-75% of all freshmen pre-meds end up never applying to med school.

Every year 60% of students who apply to med school get rejected at every school they apply to.

Med school lasts 4 years and pediatrics requires another 3 years of residency (specialized medical training) after med school.