What classes should I take if I want to major in medical and have a career as a pediatrician?

I just started school on Sept. 2 and I am a senior. I was wondering, is there any classes that I should take to help prepare myself for the medical career as a doctor. If you have anything to contribute please speak your mind anything will help. Plus, if you know any good medical schools/colleges on the east coast mostly in VA that would help. Thanks.

2 comments to What classes should I take if I want to major in medical and have a career as a pediatrician?

  • Champ Da Beast

    If you haven’t already began taking any medical classes so far in your high school career, or haven’t started in this year, I’d say your best bet is to pay very close attention to the High School Biology or Chemistry class your in now. Generally for those who want to continue on into Medical school, you will major Biology in College. You can also major in chemistry, seeing as you will take just as many chemistry classes as biology classes. However, it is possible to major in whatever you like so long as you take the classes neccesary to passing the MCAT (Medical College Acceptance Test). for more on that visit:

    http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/

    The road to being a pediatrian is as follows:

    Bachelors Degree (4-6 yrs)
    Medical School PhD or M.D. (4 yrs)
    Residency (3 yrs approx.)

    So all in all about 11-13 years until completion depending on how you get through undergrad school ( University). Med School is more competive and there is less room for error so most students who reach that level will finish in 4 years or less on accelerated programs. Residency is the Teaching/Hands-On-Learning/Working part of your first years as a doctor. Not until this part is over can you really call yourself a doctor.

    As far as schools are concerned, generally any school that offers a degree in Bio or Chem is as good as any other. There are always your standout schools, but a Bachelors from Princeton and a Bachelors from Virginia Tech are the same Bachelors. Think of it as Coke and Sam’s Choice (wal-mart brand). One is just bigger and more advertised.

    However it is good to check HOW MANY people are graduating from whatever school you choose with the degree you want. Usually the more grads in a certain field, the more money the school puts into the program, thus better equipment, newer facilites,and sometimes better teachers.

    One school i considered on the East Coast is Drexel University in Philadelphia, Penn. One of the best medical programs in the nation. They also have a medical school, so most students do their full 8 years there.

    http://www.drexel.edu/

    Okay, i hope i helped. like the people said before me…talk to your counselor as soon as possible to narrow your choices. And you can usually take Dual Credit classes thru your community college in high school. I went my freshman year with 15 hrs. ( 1 semesters worth). Once you make a decisison, talk to THAT school’s counselor and they can give you a graduation plan that can lay out your four years at that school.

    And don’t forget scholarships!!! This is going to be expensive so start applying now. Remember, what ever extra is left in your scholarship after paying for school goes in your pocket. You can never get too many. In the sourch box are several links for you buddy. good luck!!

  • Nervous

    Im glad you posted this.
    I am in sevent grade right now, but I am right now very interested in becoming a childrens doctor. I’ve been wondering, is college really as hectic as I think it will be? I don’t want to wait until I am twenty-eight to start my family. I would like to start it sometime in college, but im not all that sure that I would stay caught up in classes when things in the family happen. When i get older my first priority is college but family always comes second, I want a family of my own too. I want children after marriage but is there time during college?

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