How to Become a Doctor in 5 Steps

Becoming a doctor is a demanding and time-consuming process. Still, the career can be rewarding. Doctors address people’s health concerns and diagnose and treat illnesses or injuries. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), jobs for doctors are projected to grow at rate of 4% over the next decade, which matches the national average job growth rate. These professionals earned a median salary of $239,200 as of May 2023.

To become a doctor, you must attend medical school and complete residency training and a fellowship. You must take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) in order to get accepted to medical school.

The steps and requirements to attend medical school and become a medical doctor include getting both your bachelor’s degree and a doctor of medicine (MD). You’ll need strong grades and a strong understanding of the healthcare system and the human body.

There is no fixed undergraduate major if you want to become a doctor, but most students get degrees in science or healthcare-related fields. You can participate in a pre-med program and can complete prerequisite courses for medical school. Your grades will be important to get into medical school.

You will need to take the MCAT in order to get into a medical school. There are practice tests available to help you prepare. You should research the average MCAT score of your target school. Most prestigious medical schools have an average MCAT score of over 500.

Medical schools are hard to get into, and most look for high MCAT scores and good undergraduate grades. You’ll need to submit your transcripts, MCAT scores, and letters of recommendation, and you’ll also have to complete interviews with medical school staff. Once you’ve been accepted into medical school, expect to pay an average of $162,000-$265,000 over the course of four years. While you’re in medical school, you can pick your specialty.

Upon graduation, you will spend 3-9 years in a residency training program, where you practice medicine under the guidance of board-certified doctors. In your fourth year of medical school, you will match with your residency program based on your specialization and through the National Resident Matching Program. After your residency, you will need to pass a standardized national exam to be licensed.

A fellowship is an optional opportunity for a doctor to become a specialist in your chosen field. You participate in a fellowship after you complete your residency, and it usually takes 1-3 years. During your fellowship, you will work closely with a specialist to deepen your knowledge and experience. This can improve your job prospects.

Typically, it takes eight years to complete your undergraduate program and medical school, but the length can vary depending on the length of residency and fellowship. If you decide to take on a fellowship, becoming a practicing physician can take anywhere from 11 to 20 years from the time you graduate high school.

This doesn’t mean you’ll be stuck in a classroom the entire time — residencies and fellowships are very hands-on. The more specialized you want to become, the longer your training can take.

How much a doctor makes depends on their specialty. According to the BLS, physicians and surgeons can make between $205,860 and $449,320. For example, the average salary for general pediatricians was $205,860 and $449,320 for pediatric surgeons, as of May 2023.

While doctors can earn high salaries and prestige, they have to go through many demanding years of training and often work long hours. Residency is especially intense, and the work environment can lead to burnout. On the flip side, it is a career where you can care for and help others, which many find rewarding.