Pediatrics?!
Question: okay im 15 and im seriously looking to become a pediatrician what coarses should i take and what should i start doing to prepare myself for college
Answers: okay im 15 and im seriously looking to become a pediatrician what coarses should i take and what should i start doing to prepare myself for college
David, don't concentrate just on medicine at this point. Sure, you need good grades, but you also need a well-rounded education. When you are in junior year you can start searching out colleges with respected pre-med programs. Universities like to brag about their high acceptance rate into medical school, so most of them have excellent advisors who will help you tailor a curriculum to that end. Most medical schools have a similar list of pre-med requirements in math and the basic sciences of biology, chemistry and physics. With your interest in pediatrics, an elective or two in psychology or child psychology would be helpful in college.
Excellence in English composition and facility in a foreign language is highly desirable. You can get a good start on this in high school. Extra-curricular activities and volunteer work are assets in both college and med school acceptance. Good luck with your goals. Study hard. But don't forget to take time to smell the roses.
i am a medical student...i just finished peds in december and it really was the best rotation i have done so far...it is just great and much nicer than dealing with older folks!! lol, it is also very rewarding and in term of contents, pediatric medicine is alot more structured as children are less likely to have co-morbidities and complications etc and as long as u do ur work, u cant go wrong, i loved it
but it is very competitive...so study hard and apply for medicine early...what u can do at this stage is simple...just go to a hospital and say you want a work experience or something, some is bound to take you!! this is what i did before i started med school and it gave me a flavour as to what its like. you can also try working for charities/organisations that support disabled kids etc
good luck
Take as many science math classes as you can and go to a school with a decent pre-med program that has really helpful advisors (and tutors).