Embarking on the journey to become a doctor is a rigorous academic endeavor that varies significantly across the globe. In the United States, for example, the path to a medical degree typically involves a minimum of eight years of higher education: four years for an undergraduate degree followed by four years in medical school, as outlined by the Association of American Medical Colleges. Conversely, in the United Kingdom, students can enter medical school directly after secondary education, completing their training in five to six years, according to the British Medical Association.
Therefore, for those seeking the shortest time to become a doctor, countries with integrated undergraduate medical programs may offer a more expedited route. This introduction aims to guide aspiring medical professionals by highlighting the educational structures that can lead to a quicker transition into the medical field, while ensuring the information is accurate and actionable.
One of the shortest medical school programs is that offered by India. Students usually need only complete four and a half years of an undergraduate program to earn a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree. Though shorter than programs in many other countries, medical school programs in India are competitive, and MBBS holders still have to complete an internship of at least six months.
Many African, Asian, and South American countries require five or six years of undergraduate study in order to become a doctor, with varying requirements for internships and/or residencies. For instance, Kenya and China both offer a five-year program, but graduates must complete a yearlong internship. Bolivia’s medical program is also five years, but graduates must also complete 15 months of internships and a residency.
While some African, Asian, and South American countries offer five-year medical school programs with few internship or residency requirements, most programs are six years and/or require several combined years of internships and residencies. South Africa’s program is normally six years, but can be condensed to five; however, graduates must also perform two years of internship and one year of community service. Likewise, Sri Lanka offers a five-year program, but graduates must do one year of residency in addition to a year or two of training outside of the country. Six years of undergraduate study must be completed in order to become a doctor in Nigeria, Thailand, Japan, and Nigeria.
Medical school programs in Europe and Australia are pretty standardized: Medical students need to complete six years of undergraduate study, plus an internship. The exception is Germany, which requires completion of a five-year program.
In general, the toughest countries in which to become a doctor are the United States and Canada, since both of these countries require completion of an undergraduate degree first. The undergraduate degree is usually completed in four years and medical school in another four, although some schools in the US offer an accelerated seven-year program, which essentially combines the student’s fourth undergraduate year with the first year of medical school. The Philippines also offers a "4+4" program for becoming a doctor, and South Korea recently switched to a similar program from a six-year undergraduate program.
It should be noted that most countries do not make it easy for students to become a doctor in one country and practice in another. For example, Thailand’s six-year undergraduate program is only available to Thai citizens. Similarly, the United States requires graduates of foreign programs to study in the US before they can practice there.
Easiest Medical Schools To Get Into
No medical school is truly easy to get into. Whether you attend university in the United States, India, or any other country, the programs are all competitive and require you to get good grades, complete a rigorous application, and much more to get accepted. With that said, some colleges have higher acceptance rates than others do.
University of Missouri - Kansas City School of Medicine
The Kansas City School of Medicine is one of the most accepting programs in the country with a rate of 20%. Students who hope to enter the program must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and 500 MCAT score to be considered. Although these are the minimums, the average accepted student has a 3.56 GPA and a 505 MCAT score. Tuition tends to be a bit higher for non-resident students than that of other medical schools, but there are less than 700 students in the program most of the time.
University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences
Featuring eight different healthcare programs and the only four-year MD program in all the state, the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences boasts an acceptance rate of about 28%. The program allows students to begin training at clinical facilities throughout the state in their second year, and the program commits a certain percentage of its acceptance rate to American Indian students. There is no minimum MCAT score requirement but students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0. On average, students had an MCAT score of 507. Hopeful students must provide letters of recommendation and a portfolio of attributes and experiences.
How Long Does It Take To Become a Doctor?
The length of time that it takes to become a doctor varies greatly. You must take several factors into consideration, including where you attend medical school and whether you want to be a general practitioner or to specialize in something such as cardiovascular needs or surgical needs.
In the United States, you must first complete a four-year undergraduate degree. After attaining an undergraduate degree, you then attend medical school for four years. Upon graduation from your program, you must work as a resident doctor in the United States or Canada for up to seven years, depending on the type of doctor that you want to become. Finally, you'll take a licensing exam. All in all, people spend 10-14 years to become a doctor in the United States.
Factors To Consider When Choosing a Medical School
When it comes to medical school, there is more to consider than how easy the program is to get into. After all, the choice you make will determine the rest of your life. Think about the following as you make your decision.
- Academics – Does the school's focus align with what you hope to achieve in your career? A student who hopes to focus on surgical or emergency medicine may not learn all he hopes to learn in a school that focuses more on primary care or research medicine.
- Location – Consider where you want to spend the next 4-10 years of your life. If you want to be close to your family, you'll likely want to stick to a school close to their homes. On the other hand, if you want a change of pace, consider something further away but remember that it will likely cost more.
- Cost – Cost is another important factor when choosing a medical school. It isn't cheap anywhere, but if you go to a private school or one that is out of state, you'll spend more. Consider how your loans, grants, or scholarships will play into your overall cost as well.
Tips for Getting Into Medical School
The best thing you can do to improve your chances of getting into medical school is to get some experience into your resume and portfolio. There are a variety of ways to do this, but two of the best ways are to participate in research projects and to volunteer. Undergraduate research projects are especially helpful if you hope to turn medical research into your career. Volunteering at low-income clinics or in other medical facilities shows that you are not only serious but gaining medical experience but also care about your community and want to give back to it.
In addition to experience, you'll need to have a strong reason for why you want to be a doctor during your entrance interviews. Your answer should be clear, compelling, and go beyond "I want to help people." You may be expected to write an essay, so ensure it is something that is unique, honest, and gets to the heart of your want to be in the medical field.
