What degree do you need to go into medical school?

Answer 1

You actually can go to medical school on any degree. In the United States, schools have certain requirements that you must fulfill before attending. Those requirements are usually: 1 year of calculus, 1 year of general chemistry (w/lab), 1 year of organic chemistry (w/lab), 1 year of general physics (w/lab), 1 year of english, a statistics course (for some schools), 1 year of general Biology (w/lab). The requirements do vary from school to school. I also know that Undergraduate institutions offer varieties of the courses I have listed above, the more rigorous course is recommended. That being said, thousands of students apply to medical schools every year with degrees in biology, chemistry, microbiology, virology, etc...and every year thousands of students get rejected. Make yourself different from others get a degree in english, psychology or even history. If you complete the requirements listed above, have a degree that differentiates yourself from others and have competitive school statistics (GPA, MCAT scores...etc), chances for consideration are high.

Answer 2

You can have a 4 year degree in ANYTHING. As long as you have the medical prerequisite courses and an MCAT score you can apply anywhere.

Pharmacy school is an entirely different thing. You must apply to a pharmacy school to be a pharmacist. Again you must have the pharmacy prerequisite courses to be accepted and must have a PCAT score.

The higher the GPA and MCAT/PCAT score is, the better chance you have on being accepted. You will also need to do some extracurricular activities such as volunteering, shadowing, and research in order to make your application more attractive to admissions committees.

Answer 3

There is no required degree in order to apply for medical school, though there are pre-requisite courses that are required and I'm sure most programs would like applicants to have some sort of degree, science or non-science, before applying. Most programs simply require you to complete classes in biology, chemistry, calculus, physics and others, which are often included in a pre-prefessional degree (PreMed) or postbaccalaureate certification/degree for medicine (neither degree is required to apply, just completion of the coursework). The American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) website is a good resource to learn about some of these prerequisites (at least for schools in North America) since it is the main tool used to apply for US medical schools, though you should check with individual programs to determine their application criteria requirements.

Answer 4

any degree you want. However it is necessary to take Chem 1 and 2, Bio 1 and 2, Phys 1 and 2, and Organic Chem 1 and 2 to have a good chance at scoring well enough on the MCAT to be accepted to any medical school

Answer 5

The common path to practicing as a physician requires 8 years of education beyond high school and 3 to 8 additional years of internship and residency. All States, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories license physicians. Education and training. Formal education and training requirements for physicians are among the most demanding of any occupation-4 years of undergraduate school, 4 years of medical school, and 3 to 8 years of internship and residency, depending on the specialty selected. A few medical schools offer combined undergraduate and medical school programs that last 6 years rather than the customary 8 years. Premedical students must complete undergraduate work in physics, biology, mathematics, English, and inorganic and organic chemistry. Students also take courses in the humanities and the Social Sciences. Some students volunteer at local hospitals or clinics to gain practical experience in the health professions. The minimum educational requirement for entry into medical school is 3 years of college; most applicants, however, have at least a bachelor's degree, and many have advanced degrees. There are 146 medical schools in the United States-126 teach allopathic medicine and award a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree; 20 teach osteopathic medicine and award the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree. Acceptance to medical school is highly competitive. Applicants must submit transcripts, scores from the Medical College Admission Test, and letters of recommendation. Schools also consider an applicant's character, personality, leadership qualities, and participation in extracurricular activities. Most schools require an interview with members of the admissions committee. Students spend most of the first 2 years of medical school in laboratories and classrooms, taking courses such as anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, pharmacology, psychology, microbiology, pathology, medical ethics, and laws governing medicine. They also learn to take medical histories, examine patients, and diagnose illnesses. During their last 2 years, students work with patients under the supervision of experienced physicians in hospitals and clinics, learning acute, chronic, preventive, and rehabilitative care. Through rotations in internal medicine, family practice, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, psychiatry, and surgery, they gain experience in the diagnosis and treatment of illness. Following medical school, almost all M.D.s enter a residency-graduate medical education in a specialty that takes the form of paid on-the-job training, usually in a hospital. Most D.O.s serve a 12-month rotating internship after graduation and before entering a residency, which may last 2 to 6 years. A physician's training is costly. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, in 2004 more than 80 percent of medical school graduates were in debt for educational expenses. Licensure and certification. All States, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories license physicians. To be licensed, physicians must graduate from an accredited medical school, pass a licensing examination, and complete 1 to 7 years of graduate medical education. Although physicians licensed in one State usually can get a license to practice in another without further examination, some States limit reciprocity. Graduates of foreign medical schools generally can qualify for licensure after passing an examination and completing a U.S. residency. M.D.s and D.O.s seeking board certification in a specialty may spend up to 7 years in residency training, depending on the specialty. A final examination immediately after residency or after 1 or 2 years of practice also is necessary for certification by a member board of the American Board of Medical Specialists (ABMS) or the American Osteopathic Association (AOA). The ABMS represents 24 boards related to medical specialties ranging from allergy and immunology to urology. The AOA has approved 18 specialty boards, ranging from anesthesiology to surgery. For certification in a subspecialty, physicians usually need another 1 to 2 years of residency. Other qualifications. People who wish to become physicians must have a desire to serve patients, be self-motivated, and be able to survive the pressures and long hours of medical education and practice. Physicians also must have a good bedside manner, emotional stability, and the ability to make decisions in emergencies. Prospective physicians must be willing to study throughout their career to keep up with medical advances. Advancement. Some physicians and surgeons advance by gaining expertise in specialties and subspecialties and by developing a reputation for excellence among their peers and patients. Many physicians and surgeons start their own practice or join a group practice. Others teach residents and other new doctors, and some advance to supervisory and managerial roles in hospitals, clinics, and other settings. For the source and more detailed information concerning this subject, click on the related links section (U.S. Department of Labor) indicated below.