Attending medical school is no joke. There are a lot of factors that will call for intense physical and mental exercise, not to mention the rigorous training residents have to undergo after graduating from medical school. For that matter, it is important for a person to be firm and decided to be involved in the field of medicine.
What you need at the starting point
To start a career in medicine, you must first apply to a medical school. The application process itself may already be challenging because there are several requirements from students. For one, while a bachelor’s degree in any field is acceptable, you will be better equipped for medical school with a degree in the natural or social sciences. You must also take the MCAT and have an acceptable GPA in college. In addition, a personal statement is required when applying to medical school. To write an excellent personal statement, use the entries in sample essay about myself blogs as a guide.
Experiences to expect in medical school
Medical school education and training lasts for four years. The first two years are spent in classrooms where you will listen to lectures, take exams and learn and memorize a great amount of information. During the third year, you will be exposed to the clinical and practical side of what you’ve learned and will be required to apply the lessons. The fourth year is spent doing rounds in wards and surgical operations. By this time, you must also start to think about the field you want to specialize in.
After the graduation march
After earning your bachelor’s degree, you will have to train in a teaching hospital as a resident doctor. You’ll have to balance adequate rest and application of your lessons in the hospital for several years, depending on which specialization you are training for. The more complicated and more challenging specializations require up to seven years of training while the less challenging ones require only three years at the least. After your residency, you may opt to undergo more specialized training through a fellowship. The fellowship may last for two to three years.
More challenges but also more rewards
The road does not end for a doctor who is able to stand on his or her own two feet. To earn a living, you must continue your practice. Depending on how you work, you may go through every working day dealing with moderately stressful situations or face major challenges like getting sued for malpractice. Moreover, depending on your specialization, you may earn around $100,000 to several million dollars per year. So, to get to the peak of your medical career, you have to be dedicated to the field and love your job.
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