You may have made a list of medical schools you want to apply to. However, you need to meet minimum requirements and prepare well for the interview. If you are working with a med school consultant, you can access a medical school mock interview.
Things have gone well and you have got selected in one of the desired schools. What’s next? Let’s see what you can expect in your medical school. It takes four years to complete medical school. However, you need to spend 3-7 years to become a doctor.
First 2 years
You will spend your first two years in classrooms and labs. In classes, you will learn basic science such as anatomy, microbiology, biochemistry, pathology and pharmacology. In some schools, you can focus on multiple courses at the same time. Others offer only one subject for three or four weeks and then move on to the next subject. In schools with an interdisciplinary approach to pre-clinical coursework, the focus will be on a single organ. You will examine behavior, pathology, pharmacology and anatomy relevant to that system. USMLE Step 1 will be at the end of the second year.
Years 3 and 4
You will do rotations at clinics and hospitals affiliated with your medical school. During rotations, you will assist residents in surgery, internal medicine, pediatrics, psychiatry or any other particular specialty. This will involve interaction with patients and performing basic medical procedures. The resident may also assign some other tasks. The strength and focus of the hospital determine the time you will spend in the rotation. Some schools have three weeks long surgery rotation. Others have three months long. Your experience depends on the clinic/hospital. If it is in urban settings, you will get more experience with emergency medicine, trauma, or infectious disease. You will get to work with a diverse patient population.
Research vs patient care
You can become a primary care doctor. This includes more patient contact. It also involves longer clinical rotations and coursework in patient handling. You may also get volunteer opportunities. If you are interested in biomedical research or academic medicine, look for a medical school offering strong research programs. A medical school that focuses on primary care physicians training does not have the same funding, mentors, facilities and opportunities.
Combined Degrees
Do you want MD with advanced coursework in some other discipline? Look for a school that is affiliated with a larger university. You can register in other departments.
What After Med School
Most med students complete their courses in 4 years and become an owner of an MD. However, this does not mean that your education is over. In addition to passing the board exam, you also need to spend three to seven years in a teaching hospital as a resident.
To become a doctor, you need to get into medical school. Your application goes through an admission process. If you don't know much about this process, you should speak to a med school consultant to get advice.