UIC UHP: Road to Becoming a Physician

Road to Becoming a Physician:

Educational alternatives towards an M.D.
Being a doctor means service to mankind...hard work!

Pre-med students are our hope for a healtier future. The improvement in our health status relies on increasing numbers and diversity of caring physicians and other health professionals. Academic steps to success in obtaining an M.D. degree may be challenging, but they are not impossible.

Intital Steps:
Elelmentary School:	• Participates in Science Fairs
High school:	• Improves test taking skill • Study with fellow classmantes • Develop your own science quiz
College:	• Meet with otehr doctors • Volunteer at community centers or health care facilities • Seek out medical student mentors

Educational Steps to an M.D. Degree
Education:	Course Work:
High School: 4 years (diploma)	High School Recommended Courses	College Required Courses
College: 4 years (Bachelor Degree)	Math 4 years • Algebra • Geomettry • Trigonometry • Pre-calculus Science 3 years • Biology • Chemistry • Physics	• 1 year General Biology • 1 year Inorganic Chemistry • 1 year Organic chemistry • 1 year Physics Other Requirements • 1 year English Composition • Pre-calculus • 9 hours Social Sciences
Medical School: 4 years (M.D. Degree)
Residency: 3 to 5 years in training ans care of patients
Specialization: 2 to 3 years of training in care for more specific illnesses
		Additional Recommended Courses Science/ Math (take at least 3 of the following) • Anatomy • Biochemistry • Genetics • Histology • Moleular and Cell Biology • Microbiology or Physiology • Calculus • Non-Science Foreign Language, preferrably Spanish • Ethics

Standardized Tests Through M.D. Training
High School	Diploma Admissions College Test (ACT)
College	Baccalaureate Degree Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT)
Medical School	Medical Doctorate (M.D.) United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE Step 1 & 2)
Medical Specialty
Internship
Residency
Fellowship	Certification (USMLE Step 3)