What subjects do you have to take to become a doctor? I'm 13 and have to pick them in 3 months time!?

Question

I always thought it was:

Biology

Chemistry

Maths

English

And maybe another subject?

But now I am unsure, I'm reading so many things. Some people are saying that universities and such will be impressed if you take Art or something else extra... which isn't a problem but I don't see how it would help very much... Some people say that Latin will help, but they don't teach Latin at my school.

Answer 1

all those are core subjects anyway aren't they, a language and I.T would be usefull but dont worry you are only 13-its the A-levels you want to select more carefully  

Answer 2

That would really depend on the university you'd like to attend. Your secondary education should be varied. I took standard science classes, math classes, art classes, foreign language, etc. However, that did not impact my ability to get my degree.

So, look at the university you'd like to go to and see what their admissions requirements are! I doubt a school would not let you learn to become a doctor because you did not have enough science/math/art/etc. courses in your secondary education.

Answer 3

latin won't help AT ALL! chemistry a-level you NEED, biology is the most helpful and easy if you are medically minded. make the final one one you enjoy coz they dnt give a toss so long as it isn't general studies. maths and or physics are safe bets for the final choice, but it really is only at A level where it matters, gcse dnt

Answer 4

First thing to do is to pick out a university that has an associated teaching hospital (if you're in California, have a look at UCLA and USC at the very least).

Then go and look at their online college catalog.  The catalog will give admissions information -- what courses you need to take in order to get into that university.

Make sure you meet the standards for admission to the university -- and also meet the standards for graduation from your high school.

Talk to your parents about this before the school year starts!!

See the link for UCLA's basic requirements (link rated PG).  To be a premed, you'll want to take more biology, chemistry, physiology courses if your high school offers these.  Good luck.

Answer 5

Latin is helpful, you're only 13 - you can start to study Latin as a hobby, and by the time you get to Med School, you will be pretty good at it. The Latinum Latin Course if a free course - it is a podcast - you can find it here:

http://latinum.mypodcast.com

There are also paid for courses like the one offered by Rosetta Stone.

Answer 6

Why do you have to pick them now???  You're only 13, and my guess is that you are probably a freshman in high school (or close to it).  Now look, if your goal is to get into a particular university, then you need to check with them on what their particular requirements are.  But as far as medical school goes, they don't care what you take in high school.  The only thing that might matter to you now is getting into college, and the type of college you attend could influence the caliber of medical school you can get into.  However, it would be a good idea to start taking science classes now to prepare you for college-level science classes, which are much more difficult than high school, and your grades in college will be very important when applying to medical school.

In college, you will need to take English, Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Biology, Physics, and some humanities courses, and you should plan on doing well in each of these.  Most pre-med students tend to major in Biology or some other science, but there this is not required.  As a matter of fact, medical schools also like Art, History, Language, or any other type of student because it makes their class more diverse--these kinds of majors will help you to stand out more among the hundreds of Biology majors.

Just do what interests you, and excel in it.

Answer 7

I wasn't aware that Junior Highs had Biology, but yes, that is a very important class to take if you want to become a doctor. But most advanced sciences won't be taught until High School. Like Anatomy (which I took)

It also depends on what kind of doctor you want to be.

You might only work with patients in their rooms, or you could be operating on them. Don't worry. Once you get into a medical school. You'll get all the education you need.

Though, I'm a little skeptical when children say what they want to do as a career when they are older. Considering there are many ramifications to a job like this.

Would you be able to handle sick patients everyday?

Can you stand the site of blood?

How would you feel if you lost a patient?

Answer 8

I think you are right.   Latin must be outdated by now...it has gone from the Roman catholic mass now!   Art?   Maybe for diagrams of the body?   I should ask your form teacher if I were you but I am sure it would be the sciences.

Answer 9

Chemistry and Biology is a must, and you have to take Chemistry into the next year, you dont have to take biology onto the next year but its preferable.

With Other subjects it doesnt really matter, i recommed psychology, because it will help you when you apply to medicine, you can say that you can see from a psychological perspective in things

They wont really count an art subject, i found this out the hard way :)

But the most important thing is to take what you enjoy! other than chem and biol. lol

Answer 10

Latin wouldn't hurt...for prescriptions. Science, Biology, chemistry and psycology

Answer 11

You wouldn't think so but Physics and Religious Education will get you more brownie points in the future when you decide to apply for medical school.