What Degree Do You Need to Be a Doctor?

Becoming a doctor requires extensive education and training. While the road is long, it can lead to a fulfilling and lucrative career helping others. If you’re considering a career as a physician, you probably have questions about the required degrees and qualifications.

Overview of Medical Degrees

There are two degrees that qualify you to become a licensed doctor in the United States

• Doctor of Medicine (MD)
• Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO)

Both degrees allow you to practice medicine fully in all 50 states. Let’s take a closer look at each one.

MD Degree

An MD degree trains students in allopathic medicine. MD programs emphasize using drugs or surgery to treat injuries and illness.

To earn an MD. you must complete

• A bachelor’s degree (4 years)
• Medical school (4 years)
• Residency training in your specialty (3-7 years)

You’ll also need to pass licensing exams and meet other requirements to practice as a doctor. In total, becoming an MD takes 11-15 years of education after high school.

Around three-quarters of actively licensed physicians in the United States hold an MD degree.

DO Degree

A DO degree provides training in osteopathic medicine. While very similar to an MD, DO programs emphasize holistic care, preventative medicine, and the musculoskeletal system’s role in health.

Earning a DO requires:

• A bachelor’s degree (4 years)
• Osteopathic medical school (4 years)
• Residency training in your specialty (3-6 years)

Plus passing licensing exams and meeting other state requirements. You can expect the process to take 11-14 years.

Approximately a quarter of licensed doctors in the U.S. have DO degrees.

Choosing Between MD and DO

When researching medical schools, you’ll likely consider both MD and DO programs. While the curricula have key differences, both prepare you for a career as a licensed physician.

Here are some factors to think about when deciding between MD and DO degrees:

• Teaching style: MD programs generally use a traditional medical education model focused on lectures, while DO schools emphasize hands-on learning. Consider which style suits your learning preferences.

• Philosophy: MD programs teach an allopathic approach focused on treatment, while osteopathic medicine highlights disease prevention. Reflect on which perspective aligns with your outlook.

• Specialty options: While DOs can enter any specialty, MDs dominate some fields. For instance, over 90% of neurosurgeons hold MD degrees.

• Residency spots: MD and DO students apply separately for residency programs. MD applicants have a broader pool of spots overall, which can make matching more competitive for DO graduates.

• Cost: Public MD schools charge less on average, but private osteopathic schools may offer more scholarships and affordable tuition. Compare total costs.

• Reputation: Older and larger MD programs tend to have more academic clout. However, DO schools have been rapidly gaining prestige over the past decades.

Weigh all these factors carefully when applying. Talk to advisors and doctors to gain more insight into how MD and DO programs align with your goals.

Medical School Prerequisites

While specific requirements vary, most U.S. medical schools want applicants to complete core prerequisite coursework. Common med school prerequisites include:

• 1 year of biology with lab
• 1 year of general chemistry with lab
• 1 year of organic chemistry with lab
• 1 year of physics with lab
• 1 year of English
• 1 year of calculus
• 1 semester of biochemistry

Some schools also require or recommend coursework in statistics, psychology, and social sciences. Be sure to check the exact prerequisites for programs you plan to apply to.

Aim to earn excellent grades in your prerequisite courses, since admissions committees will look closely at your performance. It’s also wise to take additional upper-level science electives that demonstrate your interests and strengthen your scientific foundation.

Gaining hands-on exposure to medicine through volunteering, shadowing doctors, or working in healthcare can further boost your application.

Medical School Admissions

Gaining acceptance to medical school is competitive. Here are some key elements schools consider when reviewing applicants:

• MCAT scores: You must take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), which assesses skills and scientific knowledge critical for medical school. Aim for scores above the average of admitted students.

• GPA: Admissions committees view your cumulative undergraduate GPA as an important indicator of potential success. For MD programs, the average GPA for accepted students is around 3.7. DO programs accept students with slightly lower GPAs on average.

• Letters of recommendation: Most medical schools require three letters, usually from science faculty familiar with your academic abilities. Letters should highlight skills like critical thinking.

• Extracurricular activities: Admissions teams look for activities that demonstrate your service, leadership, and commitment to healthcare. Things like medical research, volunteering, and club leadership help your application stand out.

• Personal statement: You’ll write an essay conveying your motivation for medicine and suitability for the profession. This essay is crucial for bringing your application to life.

• Interview performance: If invited, you’ll interview with members of the admissions committee. They assess interpersonal skills and look for knowledge of relevant medical issues.

Gaining acceptance is a marathon, not a sprint. Take time in college to build an impressive profile across all these areas.

Finding the Right Medical School

With over 200 MD and DO programs in the U.S., finding your best fit takes research. Here are some factors to consider when evaluating schools:

• Location
• Tuition cost
• Class size
• Strength of residency program partnerships
• Range of clinical rotation sites
• Learning facilities and technologies
• Focus on rural medicine or primary care
• Student satisfaction and attrition rates
• Sense of community

Think about your priorities in a medical education. Reach out to current students to gain insight into the student experience at schools you’re interested in.

Touring campuses can also help you picture yourself thriving in that environment. Though time-consuming, visiting top choices is worthwhile.

Looking Ahead to Residency

After graduating from medical school, newly minted MDs and DOs must complete residency training in their specialty area. This intense on-the-job phase takes between 3-7 years depending on your chosen field.

For instance, family medicine and pediatrics residencies usually last 3 years. General surgery programs extend 5 years on average.

In residency, you will:

• Train under experienced attending physicians in your specialty
• Gain hands-on clinical experience diagnosing and treating patients
• Progressively take on more responsibility each year
• Learn skills like time management, communication, and teamwork
• Prepare to become board certified in your specialty

The long journey has its rewards. Residency allows you to apply all your medical knowledge while developing expertise to deliver excellent patient care.

Becoming a doctor requires extensive training but opens doors to a meaningful vocation. By earning an MD or DO degree and completing residency, you’ll be ready to positively impact patients’ lives. While challenging, the process offers immense personal and professional fulfillment. With dedicated focus through each step, you can realize your dream of making a difference as a physician.