I have wanted to be a doctor as long as I can remember but am currently 16 and a sophomore in h.s. In TX, certifications are a requirement for high school graduation. Basically, Texas has integrated various Vo-Tech certification pathways into the graduation curriculum. I am following the health care pathway which began last year with Medical Terminology and this year with Health Sciences where we get First Aid/CPR/AED and OSHA Certified, as well as, a basic overview of the world of health care. Next year as a Junior (assuming my application is accepted), I will take Anatomy and Physiology and as a double block do clinicals for my CNA. Then during my senior year (assuming my application is accepted for 1 of the 20 openings. Most students split off to Pharmacy Tech so it’s quite not as selective as it sounds), I will get all the training for my EMT-B that I will test for after graduation. So, hopefully all goes as expected because high school is planned.
Now, I have been asked to begin researching and considering logical next steps toward becoming a doctor. Currently, I am interested in becoming a Cardiothoracic Surgeon and I will have to put myself through school. I have read a number of threads, as well as, other research and now have some questions.
So, if you were me graduating from high school and having CNA and EMT-B with Med-School as THE GOAL, what job situation would you aim for directly after graduation? From what I’ve read, it sounds like a CNA or EMT may not be my only options.
Do I have to aim for a college that offers a pre-med program and if not what are the pitfalls of majoring in some area of Biology once I pass the MCAT and go to apply for med school?
Is there a way to get out from under having to use my parents income on the FAFSA? If not, how long is it required?
If I don’t get any scholarships would it be a bad idea to get my basics out of the way at a Community College (will that be looked down on by a Medical school)? In TX there is a law holding the community college gen ed courses to acceptable standards of TX Universities.
How important is the college reputation where I get my undergrad in applying for medical school? I hear it’s not then when colleges visit our school they have a pretty convincing argument that it is if you actually want to be accepted.
What advice do you wish someone had told you when you first got started?
Now, I have been asked to begin researching and considering logical next steps toward becoming a doctor. Currently, I am interested in becoming a Cardiothoracic Surgeon and I will have to put myself through school. I have read a number of threads, as well as, other research and now have some questions.
So, if you were me graduating from high school and having CNA and EMT-B with Med-School as THE GOAL, what job situation would you aim for directly after graduation? From what I’ve read, it sounds like a CNA or EMT may not be my only options.
Do I have to aim for a college that offers a pre-med program and if not what are the pitfalls of majoring in some area of Biology once I pass the MCAT and go to apply for med school?
Is there a way to get out from under having to use my parents income on the FAFSA? If not, how long is it required?
If I don’t get any scholarships would it be a bad idea to get my basics out of the way at a Community College (will that be looked down on by a Medical school)? In TX there is a law holding the community college gen ed courses to acceptable standards of TX Universities.
How important is the college reputation where I get my undergrad in applying for medical school? I hear it’s not then when colleges visit our school they have a pretty convincing argument that it is if you actually want to be accepted.
What advice do you wish someone had told you when you first got started?
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Enjoy your time in high school and college.
