collageHow Long Does it Take to Become a Doctor in Other Countries?
Becoming a doctor in other countries takes about the same time as in the US. In Canada, future physicians also need an undergraduate degree (3 to 4 years) before attending medical school (4 years), plus they tend to do 2 to 5 years of residency. So in total, it takes between 10 and 13 years to become a doctor in Canada.
Here’s what it takes to become a doctor in other English-speaking countries:
- 1NEW ZEALAND12-14 years
- 2UK10-11 years
- 3AUSTRALIA9-11 years
- 4IRELAND9 years. If you are interested in becoming a medical school student in Ireland, make sure to check out the Atlantic Bridge program.
Alternative (and Longer) Paths to Become a Doctor
The scenarios above assume that you go straight from high school to college to medical school to residency and into your job as a physician or medical scientist. But that is not always the case.
There are many non traditional medical school applicants who take a different pathway to becoming doctors.
So, let’s explore some of those ways.
Gap Year Before Medical School
Premed students tend to apply to medical school in the summer before their senior year of undergraduate studies and upon completion of their bachelor’s degree. However, many students decide to take a break of one or more years before applying for med school.
And although there are many reasons to do this, the best approach is to use the gap year to improve your application. For instance, you could use that year to work on your extracurriculars, such as volunteering at a hospital or participating in a research group, or to take some prerequisite courses you may be lacking.
Another option is to use that time to save money and pay off your debts. That way you will be in better financial shape to pay for medical school.
As long as you use this time productively and dedicate it towards improving your chances of getting into med school, a gap year should not hurt your chances of acceptance.
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Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Programs
Also known as “Postbacs”, these programs are becoming very popular in the US. If you had a low science GPA or were not enrolled in a pre-med program in college, you can improve your science GPA and take the courses required for medical school admission in one to two years.
Some of these programs are offered by undergraduate institutions, and others are offered by medical schools themselves. There are many differences between each program, so be sure to do your due diligence and research these programs before enrolling in a Postbac.
Special Master’s Programs
Special master’s programs (SMPs) are the graduate category of postbac programs. They are a great way to improve your chances of getting admitted to med schools, exposing you to many of the required experiences.
How long do these programs take? One to two years. If you take a thesis master’s degree, you’ll spend one year doing coursework and another year doing research and writing your thesis. If you only take a coursework program, you’ll complete it in a year.
Other research-inclined students can even go for a PhD in a scientific discipline before applying to medical school, adding up to 5 years to their journey to becoming a medical doctor.
For medical students who do not match to a residency program, there are options to pursue in the year when they reapply to ERAS or CaRMS. Perhaps they can increase their chances of getting a residency the following year by working in a clinical setting (even if they are not allowed to care for patients) and taking the USMLE Step 3 in the meantime.
Watch a video recap:https://youtube.com/embed/vdPhszl3hUU
FAQs
1. How many years do I have to study to become a doctor?
In the US, you must complete a four-year undergraduate program, attend medical school for four years and spend between three to seven years as a resident. That means you have to study and work between 10 to 14 years to become a doctor.
2. Is it worth the time investment needed to become a doctor?
You may be wondering, is medical school worth it? Although it takes more than a decade and hard work to become a doctor, there are many financial and intangible rewards.
For instance, medical doctor is one of the best paying traditional jobs, with the average salary ranging about $200,000-300,000 per year in both the US and Canada (it’s even higher for certain specialists).
But the intangible rewards are even better when you think about the people you can help, either by taking care of patients or through biomedical research.
3. What is the length of DO vs MD programs?
Osteopathic medical programs take four years to complete, just like allopathic programs.
4. Are combined programs such as the MD-PhD programs longer than regular MD programs?
Yes, they are longer. The length depends on the school and the particular program, but here’s some data from AAMC:
MD-PhD: 7-8 years
MD-MPH: 5 years
MD-MBA: 5 years
MD-JD: 6 years
5. At what age should I expect to become a doctor?
The average starting age of a medical student is 24, which means they become licensed doctors in their mid to late 30s.
6. Is there an age limit for medical school?
No, there is no age limit in most medical schools. You can become a doctor at any age. Many non traditional students are now in medical school after years in other professions or activities. The only exception to this rule is if you want to become a military doctor. Most military Services have lower and upper age restrictions, so please make sure to check the Service of your choice for more details.
7. Does having a gap year hurt my chances of getting into medical school?
As long as you’re not just taking time off but are preparing for your future career as a physician, taking a gap year should not hurt your chances of getting into medical school.
8. What should I do if I do not match to a residency program on my first try?
You should not get discouraged if you do not match to a residency program on your first try. Keep connected to your school, apply for a job in a clinical setting (even if you cannot care for patients) or research lab. That year of experience may actually help you with your residency match next time you apply.
9. How old can my coursework and prerequisites be when I apply to medical school?
Most medical schools don’t have strict policies regarding how recent your prerequisites must be, but some prefer to see coursework completed within 5 years before the application. If your coursework is older than 5 years, you should check with the school to see if you need to take some classes before applying.
10. Why does it take so long to become a doctor?
There are several reasons why it takes so many years to become a doctor:
- In the United States, professional schools, including medical schools, require an undergraduate degree before applying.
- The medical profession involves a great responsibility, as you have to take care of people and provide medical treatment. The residency years are designed to make sure you can eventually treat patients without supervision.
- Medical doctors must have a license to be able to practice medicine. Obtaining that licenses requires you to demonstrate that you have years of training and experience, as well as passing a certification exam.
As a neurosurgeon put in an online forum, “Training in medicine takes so long because it is incremental, adding responsibility very gradually. You want to see as many permutations of a problem as possible so that you have a good chance of working it safely on your own when the time comes. Good judgement comes from experience, and experience comes from bad judgement, so it’s important to see and do as much as you can before you go out into the world on your own without anyone looking over your shoulder.”
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To your success,
Your friends at BeMo
BeMo Academic Consulting
tags: how long does it take to become a doctor, Medical School
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How Do I Become a Doctor in Canada?
If you are interested in a lucrative, high-paying, and secure career, becoming a physician is a fantastic option. As if helping others and potentially even saving lives were not enough, Canadian physicians earn $339,000 each year on average. Becoming a doctor in Canada is a lengthy process that takes place in four major steps, and the information below will help you understand how it works from start to finish.
Obtain Your University Degree
First things first, before you can even go to medical school in Canada, you will first need to obtain a degree from an accredited university. This must be a bachelor’s degree, at the very least, and most medical schools will prefer that your degree have a basis in science. Though BS degrees are not always necessary, they benefit you by providing you with a basic understanding of concepts like biology and chemistry, making medical theories easier to understand. All medical schools will have a list of prerequisite courses, most of which are in science, so be sure that you take these during your time at university.
Go to Medical School
There are 17 medical schools in Canada from which to choose, but most will require that you are a resident of the same province in order to attend. It is a good idea to contact the school of your choice to obtain its specific requirements for admission, as well. Many medical schools across the country will require you to sit for and pass the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test), so this is an important step. It is easier than ever to apply for medical schools in Canada thanks to standardized online application systems.
Keep in mind that only a quarter of the students who apply to Canadian medical schools are accepted, so having outstanding credentials and a high university GPA will work in your favor. Medical school lasts four years; the first two take place in more of a classroom and lab environment, and the last two incorporate clinicals, where you work with patients under the supervision of a licensed physician.
Take and Pass Your Licensing Exam
After you complete your training in a four-year medical school, you must pass a licensing examination to prove your knowledge and competency before you can work as a physician in Canada. This exam, known as the MCCEE, or Medical Council of Canada Evaluating Examination, is by and large the most difficult exam most students will ever take. It is best to begin preparing and studying early, and for the best possible retention, utilize several study methods. Group study, quiet reading, note-taking, flash cards, and online question banks can provide you with a well-rounded study experience.
Complete Your Residency
Finally, once you have passed the MCCEE examination and become a licensed physician, Canada law requires you to complete a residency program before you can work independently. The goal is to allow newly-licensed doctors to learn from more experienced professionals in a sort of mentoring system and to allow them to adapt to their new career choices. For family doctors, the residency lasts two years, but for specialists, residencies can last as long as six years. Beyond that, you could even choose a subspecialty with another two or three years’ residency.
It takes at least 10 years of education and residency to become a doctor in Canada, and in that time, you will take one of the most difficult examinations in the world – the MCCEE. With enough dedication and persistence, and with the drive to help others for a lifetime, you could be one of Canada’s next favorite physicians.CATEGORIESUNCATEGORIZEDTAGSBECOME A DOCTOR IN CANADA, CANADIAN DOCTOR
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