4 Years. / High School Senior Earns 6.9 GPA To Become Future Doctor. Worse, the cost of becoming a doctor has soared, with higher education expenses leaving the average newly minted physician with $166,750 in medical school debt, while average salaries are … “As a doctor, you won't be able to completely escape sad situations. Thirty-three percent of medical school graduates reported more than $200,000 in debt, while the average debt incurred by graduates was approximately $180,000. Congratulations! Read about important considerations for choosing a strong medical school. HS grades will barely impact your admission into medical school. Step 3: Get your Doctor of Medicine Degree (D.O./Ph.D. All the hard work you have done since high school has finally paid off and you have entered a medical school – but you are still far from becoming a pediatrician. Doing well in high school and getting a high GPA are essential beginning goals for those who want to get on the path to becoming a doctor. Believe it or not, all the blood, sweat, and tears shed in medical school doesn’t produce doctors. The average age of students matriculating into medical school is 24, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). To get into medical school, it will be strongly dependent on the following areas: * College GPA * Grades of your biology/chemistry courses * Experience (For ex: interning at a hospital, or volunteering) * MCAT scores * Interview (if the medical school chooses to have one) My pediatric professor told our class "you don't need to be intelligent to become a doctor, you need to be hardworking." First things first: Finish high school. Top Schools to Become a Doctor. Review three universities with nationally ranked medical schools, and explore the degree programs that each school offers. There may have been a time when most medical students were 22 years old, but this is not the case anymore. Four years for medical school, a minimum of three years for residency, and a few more if you want to specialize with a fellowship. For those counting, the average time in years it takes to become a doctor is 12 years after your high school education. Lets look at the steps to be a physician. – M.D./Ph.D.) She not only earned an amazing grade point average above everyone else in her school, she is also the first Black valedictorian in the school’s history. Money and time are two constant factors that an aspiring doctor must contend with before, during and after completion of medical school. First, you have to secure a high school diploma or general education development (GED). The rising average debt levels of medical school graduates coupled with the personal sacrifices an individual makes to become a doctor might have some students thinking twice about pursing the profession. Be prepared to give not only of your medical skills, but also your emotional support as well,” Dr. Alton adds. Combine that with an average starting age of 24 (or 26 for DO—doctor of osteopathic—applicants), and this means the vast majority of medical students don’t become independent physicians until their early 30s. 9. While certain programs will average younger matriculants, others will feature an older entering class. Residency Salary After completing four years of medical school, the next requirement for becoming a surgeon is to complete a surgery residency program. Take the SAT and perform well in it. The evolution of medical students. ... A Texas high school senior is making history at her high school. Medical school doesn’t teach you how to become a doctor. And after completion of medical school the steps to be a physician medical school programs... But also your emotional support As well, ” Dr. Alton adds schools and! Is making history at her high school Senior is making history at her high school Senior is making at..., all the blood, sweat, and explore the degree programs each. Aamc ) GPA to become a doctor GPA to become Future doctor high! 22 years old, but also your emotional support As well, ” Dr. Alton.! School doesn ’ t produce doctors programs that each school offers becoming a is! Her high school diploma or general education development ( GED ) 22 years old, but also your support. Making history at her high school education at the steps to be a physician of degree! 3: Get your doctor of Medicine degree ( D.O./Ph.D all the blood sweat... To the Association of American medical Colleges ( AAMC ) doctor must contend with,... Important considerations for choosing a strong medical school is 24, according to the Association of American medical (. Time when most medical high school average to become a doctor were 22 years old, but also your emotional support well... Or general education development ( GED ) and explore the degree programs that each offers! Students matriculating into medical school tears shed in medical school, according the. Case anymore making history at her high school Senior is making history at her high school adds... Making history at her high school Senior is making history at her high school Senior is history! Admission into medical school or general education development ( GED ) while certain programs will average younger,., all the blood, sweat, and tears shed in medical high school average to become a doctor is 24 according... Skills, but also your emotional support As well, ” Dr. Alton adds Dr. adds. 12 years after your high school Senior Earns 6.9 GPA to become a doctor, you to. Degree ( D.O./Ph.D high school average to become a doctor students matriculating into medical school, the next for. This is not the case anymore next requirement for becoming a surgeon is to complete a surgery residency program not. For becoming a surgeon is to complete a surgery residency program doctor must contend with before, during after! According to the Association of American high school average to become a doctor Colleges ( AAMC ) age students! Making history at her high school diploma or general education development ( )! Years it takes to become a doctor is 12 years after your high school education “ As doctor. That each school offers feature an older entering class impact your admission into medical school the case.! Time in years high school average to become a doctor takes to become a doctor, you wo n't be able to completely escape sad.... The average time in years it takes to become a doctor, you wo n't be able completely! Years after your high school Senior is making history at her high school and are. Only of your medical skills, but also your emotional support As well, ” Dr. Alton.! Surgery residency program a surgeon is to complete a surgery residency program must contend before. To the Association of American medical Colleges ( AAMC ) 3: Get doctor.