Radiologist questions?

Question

I just graduated from high school and I'm really looking for a medical-type career to pursue. I havent talked much with advisors and im just looking for a few answers as to how to become a Radiologist.

First off, is a Radiologist the same as an "X-Ray Tech?"

Second, what are the basic courses that I should take in college to prepare for med school?

Third, is med school hard? Common sense tells me its hard...but I mean, is it attainable to the average joe?

Finally, if I do decide to go ahead and take the path to X-Ray Tech, will it count towards progression if I decide to move on to med school and Radiology?

Answer 1

A Radiologist is NOT an x-ray tech.  A Radiologist has to go to medical school.  An x-ray tech can go to a community college and get a 2 year degree.  Radiologists interpret x-rays, while x-ray techs only take them.  You should talk with a counselor about required courses.  I know that I had to take Anatomy & Physiology I & II and Medical Terminology, plus English and a Humanities course.  

Answer 2

An X-Ray Tech. is the person who shoots the x-ray and then developes the film.  A Radiologist is the doctor who reviews the film and then interprets the findings.

You should talk to your academic counselor about the requisites for med. school.  Generally, you're going to want to take as a minimum:

Chem. I & II

Bio. I & II

Micro Bio.

Statistical Analysis

College Algebra

Physics

Geometry and Trigonometry

Calculus

Along with your basic history and English courses.

Is med. school hard?  Define hard.  I attended a program in the U.S. Navy that was a three year condensed version of med. school.  We did the entire program in one year.  There was a woman in my class who aced every exam but one and on that one, she missed one answer.  We thought her head was going to implode.  Academically speaking, she was pure genius.  She set the record.  But when it came time to actually do the job, she washed out in less than three months.  Me, I graduated with a 90.63 GPA.  Dead last in the class.  And for that incredibly low GPA, they tried to boot me out of the program.  I ended up having one of the most successful careers of all of my class mates.

Is a goal of med. school attainable?  Yes.  All you need do is apply.

Will a career as an X-Ray tech count towards getting into med school.  To a degree, yes.  Part of the application process is telling them what sort of experience you have in medicine.  It also goes a long way towards showing your dedication and your willing to perservere.