Have you decided to enter into the field of Dermatology?

Before you consider entering into medical school, you should get as much experience as you can working with people who need help. Volunteer your time in a hospital, a community center or in a nursing home. You will learn more about becoming a caring doctor here than in school.

The Dermatologist's High School Career

If you are still in high school when you decide to become a dermatologist, you can steer your career in the right direction. Take advantage of the opportunity to get an early start in the math and science areas of your education while you can. Choose your medical school early, and find out about their admission requirements. You may not be required to get a bachelor's degree before entering into medical school. You may only need two years of undergraduate work in order to be accepted.

Take advanced placement courses and maintain a high GPA. Effort made then can go a long way toward furthering your education in medicine.

     Take advanced courses in science and mathematics, including:
 
        1. Chemistry       
        2. Biology       
        3. Physics       
        4. Calculus
  

        Advanced placement courses will help you with college admissions.

         1. Begin thinking about the college or colleges you are interested in early in your high school career.        
         2. Find out the admissions requirements for each college and strive to fulfill them.        
         3. Get high scores on your SAT. In addition to helping you get accepted into the college of your choice, you could also   qualify for scholarships.        
         4. Consider volunteering at a hospital or in a dermatologist's office to learn about the field of medicine overall, and about dermatology specifically.

Dermatology Prerequisites

Prerequisites for medical school require two to four years of undergraduate training in a science or pre-medical degree. Admissions also require successful completion of the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Medical schools also consider extracurricular activities, grade point average, and letters of recommendation. Various schools and colleges offer flexible course schedules that range from day, night and weekend classes and training sessions.

Medical School for Dermatology

The next step in the process is to enter in to medical school. Medical school for dermatology lasts on average four years. Graduation from an approved and accredited medical school will give you an MD title. MD is the standard title for a Medical Doctor. Once you complete medical school, your long educational road is not yet over. You still have a number of additional avenues for education ahead of you. This is going to include an internship, and a lengthy period of residency training. In terms of admission, no residency is more competitive than dermatology.

The Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) should be taken while you pursue your undergraduate degree. MCAT scores, along with GPA averages, are the primary determiners of whether you'll be accepted into medical school. The MCAT is comprised of four sections:

    1. Physical sciences
    2. Verbal reasoning
    3. Biological sciences
    4. A writing sample

The Medical College Admissions Test's official website contains valuable tips and instructions for those preparing to take the MCAT, including an MCAT online practice test. You can take the test more than once if necessary, but keep in mind some schools will only look at the most recent exam score.The Princeton Review: Strategies for Second-Time Applicants4 Consider a school's policies before taking the MCAT multiple times.

Attend Medical School

Once you have obtained a four-year degree from an accredited school and taken the MCAT, you should apply to medical school. Most medical schools use the American Medical College Application Service's online medical service to screen first-round applicants. Deadlines for submitting your applications vary among medical schools, so be safe and submit yours early.

Once you have filled out and submitted the application:

    1. You will be contacted if any of your chosen schools are interested. A second application will then be requested.    
    2. On the second application, you will likely be asked to write a detailed essay.
    3. You will also be asked to submit any letters of recommendation you may have.
    4. There will likely be a fee to submit a second application.The Princeton Review: Medical School Applications5 If you are unable to afford the application fee, the Association of American Medical Colleges offers an assistance program (FAP) for qualified applicants.
    5. Upon acceptance of your second application, an on-campus interview is usually scheduled at the medical school. A final decision on your application is typically made after this interview.

    Once you have been accepted to medical school, you can expect to spend four very intense years studying all aspects of medicine. The first two years are typically spent in the classroom, attending numerous lectures and labs. The science-based curriculum will likely include classes in:

    1. Clinical human anatomy and gross anatomy   
    2. Biochemistry   
    3. Physiology   
    4. Histology   
    5. Microbiology   
    6. PathologyMedSchoolReady.com: A Taste of Medical School - What You Do6

During year two of medical school, you will take the first part of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). This exam helps to gauge how well a student can apply basic sciences to the practice of medicine. The second part of the USMLE is typically taken during a medical school student's senior year; the third part of the exam is taken during the first year of residency.UW Medicine: United States Medical Licensing Examination...

Continue (Post Medical School)