To become a doctor, you generally need to follow these key steps and meet several academic and non-academic qualifications:
Academic Qualifications
- Undergraduate Degree:
You must complete at least three years of undergraduate study (often a full bachelor's degree is preferred) in any discipline, but with prerequisite courses in biology, chemistry, physics, biochemistry, math, and sometimes English or social sciences. The GPA requirement is typically around 3.5 to 3.7
- Medical College Admission Test (MCAT):
Most medical schools require a competitive MCAT score, usually between 510-520. Some provinces or schools may have different requirements or may not require the MCAT (e.g., Quebec)
- Medical School Graduation:
You must graduate from an accredited medical school with a degree such as MBBS or MD recognized by the relevant medical council (e.g., General Medical Council in the UK or Medical Council of Canada)
Non-Academic Qualifications
- Relevant Experience:
Clinical experience, volunteering, research, and healthcare-related work are important to demonstrate your commitment and suitability for medicine
- Personal Statement and Interviews:
A compelling personal statement and successful completion of interviews (MMI or panel interviews) are required to assess your motivation, communication skills, and suitability for the profession
- Reference Letters:
Academic and professional references are needed to support your application
Postgraduate Training and Licensing
- Residency Training:
After medical school, you must complete residency training (2-6 years) in your chosen specialty to gain practical experience
- Licensing Exams:
Passing qualifying exams (e.g., MCCQE Part I and II in Canada) is required to obtain a full medical license to practice
- Background Checks:
You will need to pass background checks such as the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) in the UK or equivalent in other countries to ensure safety to work with the public
Summary
Stage| Requirements
---|---
Undergraduate Education| Bachelor's degree with prerequisite science courses,
GPA ~3.5-3.7
Entrance Exam| MCAT score (usually 510-520) or equivalent
Medical School| Graduation from accredited medical school (MBBS, MD)
Experience & Application| Clinical experience, personal statement, interviews,
references
Postgraduate Training| Residency training (2-6 years)
Licensing| Pass licensing exams and background checks
The entire process typically takes 10 to 14 years, including undergraduate education, medical school, and residency training
. In short, to be a doctor you need strong academic credentials, relevant healthcare experience, successful completion of medical school, and postgraduate training with licensing.
