I want to be a doctor. Now what?

Question

I have decided that I want to be a doctor. I want to be an ob/gyn to be specific and I also want to have a family practice. I've been trying to figure out everything that I have to do to achieve my goal but while trying to figure it all out I've gotten really confused. Can someone give me the steps I have to take to do this? Oh and does anyone know some of the best medical schools and the best states to practice in?

Answer 1

1.)  Go to college and get a bachelor's degree

2.)  Take the MCAT and make a good grade

3.)  Apply to Medical School

4.)  Go to Medical School

5.)  Graduate and do residency

6.)  You are now a doctor

Answer 2

Although the previous guy got the general idea across, it is a little bit more complicated than that. I would add a couple of things:

1) Take the SAT (and get a good score)

2) Apply for college... where you can either major in Biology or you may choose your own major, but then you would have to make sure you take all of the required courses (2 Bios, 2 Chems, 2 Orgo's, 2 Physics... and I think a couple of others like english and social sciences)

3) Take the MCAT (again a good score here helps a lot)

4) Apply for Medical School (AMCAS)

5) Graduate from college

6) 1st yr (when you actually see the "famous cadaver") and 2nd yr- learn the basic sciences (in some schools they are pass/fail)

7) USMLE Step 1 (good score*)

8) 3rd yr (when you actually get to see patients)

9) USMLE Step 2CK(good score*)

10) 4th yr (electives mostly)

11)USMLE Step 2CS (pass/fail)

12) Apply for residency (ERAS)

13) Graduate from Medical School (You're an MD!)

14) First yr of residency PGY1(you're an intern)

15) PGY 2, 3 & 4 (when you'll actually learn OB/GYN)

16) Graduate from residency

17) Pass the OB/GYN Boards

(Not sure if you were counting but it's at least 12yrs)

Best schools, in my opinion: John's Hopkins (Maryland), UCSF (California) and Harvard (Massachusetts)

Well, hope this helps! Good luck and take care! =)