Is the all the schooling a doctor has to go through, worth it?
139246
That of course depends on the person. For me it was the intellectual challege, and knowing that I can have a true impact on people, and families. \n\nIn terms of the schooling, you have to love science and people, bottom line. I would not say that the material is difficult as compared to propulsion physics, but it is the volume of material that they throw at you that is difficult.\n\nSome others here mentioned, shadowing a physician. That is a great idea, and ask lots of questions. Plus, there are lots of great resources on the web.
794213
Becoming any type of doctor takes a lot of work. Normally you will do about 12 years of schooling, starting at regular 4-year college/university. Doctors don't take home a wage, but a salary and depending where you're at in your career will depend. But most doctors make good money, but there are long hours.
790552
I think you need to have taken all the pre-reqs for Med School. Such as Organic chemistry, Biology, etc. The degree really doesn't matter as long as you have the pre-reqs. And the MCAT score is really important.
787956
Medical school in the US is four years beyond college. The last two years have you getting practical clinical experience, cycling among different specialties such as surgery, ob/gyn, pediatrics, psychiatry, emergency medicine, etc. \n\nAfter medical school, pretty much all doctors go through some combination of internship/residency for about five years, depending on the program. During this time, you are working very hard, sometimes for 24 or 36-hour shifts while you are on call, and you are paid about US$30,000 year. \n\nAfter that, you're a regular old doctor, whose specialty might be General Practice, or you might choose another specialty.
421342
The best person to get this advice from is an administrator at your college.  Otherwise, you might not end up taking the classes that you will need to go pre-med.  Each institution has different classes that it requires, so it's best to go to a professional so you don't end up wasting money and time taking unnecessary classes.
50915
To be a medical doctor, you have to be trained in a medical school. It is a long and arduous process. \n\nTo prepare for this, one should study as hard as possible in school and get good grades, especially in the sciences. One should study biology if possible. If you can get some sort of internship ahead of time helping in a medical lab, it can be helpful.
56865
It's definitely worth the effort, but it's not totally necessary. Obtaining a Bachelor's or Master's will instantly make you a better candidate for higher-paying jobs, but it's not the only way into a good career and lifestyle. If you are not motivated enough, disciplined enough and academically inclined enough, then college will be hell for you. For those millionares who either dropped out or never attended college, they had great ideas, motivation, access to money and resources, and great contacts. If you have these things, college is not really a necessity, but will just help you look better.\nNote: I'm a sophomore journalism major
662353
Becoming a doctor in the United States is very difficult yes.  You must attend a four-year college and take pre-requisite classes.  Some medical schools don't require that you graduate but all prefer that you do.  If your GPA drops below 3.0 you won't stand a shot and to be competitive, you should carry a 3.5+.\n\nThen you have to take the entrance exam, or MCAT (medical college admissions test) to be admitted.  Last set of statistics I saw was that 60,000 people take it yearly for 17,000 spots.\n\nIf you're lucky enough to get in, you have 2 years of very intense studying, followed by the first in a line of three exams.  This test is called the USMLE (united states medical licensing exam).  This may be the hardest test ever devised by man.  the next two years are clinical rotations that will definitely test your mettle.\n\nwhen you finish the 4 years of medical school (and the other stages of the USMLE (some people call this test the Boards), you are a doctor, but still not ready to practice on your own.  now you have anywhere from 5-10 years (depending on your area of interest) of internship and residency and perhaps even more depending on specialty.\n\nall of this takes a lot of studying and some brains.  if you just want to get into medicine, then you can become a lab technician pretty easily.  most technical schools hand those diplomas out as if it were toilet paper.
494326
It depends on where you live, how high you place in your class, and how busy the doctor's office is. A ballpark would be $25,000-30,000 a year, right out of school, and up to $40,000-45,000 a year once you gain maybe 5 years experience and get your certifications.  \n\nFor what it's worth, this is a pretty good career choice (unlike massage therapy, culinary arts and many of the other courses you see advertised on TV) because it is fairly easy to get a job with decent pay; you usually get benefits even in your first job; and the demand is strong.
333675
absolutely, just because the doctor is a specialist in one field he had to go through medical school like all other doctors..and has training in all areas..
783941
Dear Friend,\n\nWhy do you want to become a doctor? \n\nIs it...\n\nyour strong desire to help people who are sick and hurting?\n\n\nhaving knowledge and skills that make you useful and productive anywhere in the world?\n\n\nthe respect and status associated with a career in healthcare?\n\n\nthe high annual income (between $150k– $500k)? \n\n\nensuring that no day is ever boring? \n\n\nthe fact that being a doctor ranks in the top three professions for job satisfaction?\n\n\nthe job security? \n\nImagine if you could take a very easy first step towards a fulfilling career as a doctor today, be 100% sure that a career in medicine is for you, and experience the thrill of performing medical task even before medical school. \n\nTo work as a family and general practitioner, you must:\n\n\ncomplete a bachelor's degree\ngraduate from medical school\ncomplete an internship\npass a state licensing exam\ncomplete a residency program in family and general medicine\npass additional exams to become board certified\nhave strong interpersonal skills; and\nbe self-motivated.\nFormal Education\nTo become a doctor, you must complete medical school. Medical schools grant a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree. You spend the first two years of medical school in classrooms and labs. You study anatomy, biochemistry, and medicines. You also learn how to take a medical history, examine patients, and make a diagnosis. During the next two years, you work in hospitals and clinics under the supervision of physicians.\n\nYou need a bachelor's degree to get into medical school. While you do not need to be a pre-medicine or science major, these programs are good preparation. If you earn a liberal arts degree, be sure to take courses in physics, biology, and chemistry.\n\nOn-the-job Training\nWhile in medical school, you spend two years working as an intern in a hospital or clinic. As an intern, you rotate through internal medicine, family medicine, obstetrics, oncology, and other hospital departments.\n\nAfter medical school, you complete a residency program in family and general medicine. Residency lasts from three to five years. Residents usually work in hospitals. After your residency, you take additional exams to become board certified.\n\nMilitary Training\nThe military offers advanced courses and programs in medical specialties. Scholarships are also available for advanced medical training in return for military service.\n\nAreas of Study (What to study to prepare for this career)\nClick on any of the Area of Studies listed below to find out more about preparing for this career.\n\nAcupuncture\nAnatomy\nBioethics\nBiopsychology\nCancer and Oncology Biology\nDevelopmental Biology\nEmergency Medical Care\nEntrepreneurial and Small Business Operations\nEpidemiology\nGerontology\nHealth Services Administration\nHuman and Medical Genetics\nInternational Public Health\nMaternal and Child Public Health\nMedical Claims Examiner\nMedical Microbiology and Bacteriology\nMedicine\nMissions and Missionary Studies\nNaturopathic Medicine\nNeurobiology\nNeuroscience\nNurse Midwifery\nNurse Practitioner\nOptometry\nOsteopathic Medicine\nPathology and Experimental Pathology\nPodiatric Medicine\nPre-Medicine\nPublic Health Education\nPublic and Community Health\nRadiation Biology\nReproductive Biology\nVirology\nVision Science\n\nHope this helps!!!
746160
You can be a "doctor" of just about anything.  ...history, english literature, physics, economics, etc.  \n\nIt takes about 3-6 years of post-graduate work.
390935
you do not have to be an MD, but you do have to go to school.  My mom is an acupuncturist and I watched her attend classes, take exams, etc.  It's hard work, but if it's what you want to do, it's worth it.
657900
Yes Education is worth what ever it takes. Go for it.
1104464
If you have a dream, go chase after it. Don't leave any regret in your life.Told your parents that you ambition to become a doctor.Try to talk to them calmly,let them understand what you think.Are you really hope to become a doctor?It require many years to study doctor,you must have enough financial income and you must be really interested in it.So, think carefully before action.All the best to you!
164946
For their educations, a doctor goes to college/university for four years to get a Bachelors degree, then to medical school for three years to get a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) degree.\n\nTo become a practicing physician, a person with an MD or DO must work as a resident for one year; this is on-the-job training.\n\nDuring the 7 years of school, the student pays to go to school.  During the one year of residency, the resident is paid for working.
1024722
Yes, you CAN attend and finish medical school. The most important thing you must have is determination. \n\nGood luck, future Doctor:-)