Becoming a doctor in the U.S. is a long, demanding journey—often stretching from your late teens into your early 30s. It may sound like just a chapter of your life, but it’s longer and tougher than most expect. Unless someone decides for themselves to become a doctor, it’s also true that it’s difficult for those around them to force that decision.
Here is a clear overview of the steps to becoming a specialist in the United States.
In the U.S., becoming a doctor especially requires a commitment that demands both extraordinary dedication and careful planning at every stage. That’s why careful planning is essential. It’s important to plan your path and succeed at each step.
Medical school admissions consultant Nam Kyung-yoon explains that each step of the ladder can change significantly depending on success in the previous step. He adds, “If you haven’t built a strong personal history before applying to medical school, and haven’t realized why you want to study medicine, you won’t be able to write the most persuasive personal essay.”
- Make Sure Medicine Is Right for You
Take challenging science courses in college, and participate in clinical practice or volunteering at hospitals during your undergraduate years. You need to find out whether you’re ready to devote yourself to the difficult academic preparation involved in the medical field. Including medical school and residency, the process takes at least seven years to complete, so you must be prepared to begin.
2. Complete Your Pre-Med Requirements
Medical schools require many prerequisite courses. Experts advise students to consult with a pre-med academic advisor as early as possible to ensure they are on the right path.
An education expert said you should review the MSAR (Medical School Admission Requirements) to confirm that you have met all prerequisites. The MSAR includes each school’s admission requirements (required and recommended courses), average GPA and MCAT scores, acceptance rates, interview invitation rates, number of applicants, tuition and financial aid information, school missions and educational philosophy, and information about specific programs — all helpful for creating a list of desired medical schools.
If you discover a passion for medicine after college graduation, or if you need to raise your GPA or complete required credits for med school, consider a post-baccalaureate premedical program.
3. Build a Strong Portfolio of Extracurriculars
Before beginning volunteer work, make sure you have the right attitude and are in a position to succeed academically. You’ll need to choose volunteer and extracurricular activities that demonstrate to medical school admissions committees that you are a well-rounded student who fits their program. Medical-related activities such as hospital volunteering or shadowing doctors can be helpful.
Taking a gap year before entering medical school can also be beneficial — helping you build clinical or research experience and pursue personal and professional growth. These activities should also help you discover what drives your passion for medicine. Admissions officers pay close attention to this because studying medicine is such a difficult journey. You need the kind of “passion” that can answer the recurring question: “Why am I doing such hard work?” at every step.
4. Study for the MCAT and Other Required Exams
The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a key factor in admissions, and getting a good score is very important. Most students prepare for four to six months and take the MCAT during the second semester of junior year. Experts advise students to research the median MCAT scores at their target schools to help set practice test goals.
Medical schools may also require situational judgment tests that assess ethical reasoning, interpersonal skills, professionalism, and empathy. Some schools require them, while others make them optional and factor them into interview scores.
One example is the Casper test, a scenario-based exam where you respond to written or video prompts with essay-style answers. It takes 90 to 110 minutes and assesses the applicant’s thought process and values. Another is AAMC PREview, which evaluates your ability to distinguish effective from ineffective behavior. More than 50 medical schools require it.
5. Write a Compelling Med School Application
Because med school acceptance rates are extremely low, it is known that applying to multiple schools is beneficial. Take sufficient time to carefully write a compelling personal essay that demonstrates your character, empathy, perseverance, and the experiences that led you to commit to medicine.
Also, secondary essays and letters of recommendation required by specific schools will take considerable time. Medical school websites often list required or ideal qualities of applicants — it’s helpful to review these when writing your personal statement.
6. Prepare for Medical School Interviews
Most schools conduct interviews online or offer online options. Still, you should dress appropriately, prepare thoroughly, and treat it like a job interview. Formats vary by school: one-on-one interviews, group interviews with a single applicant, and sessions that evaluate problem-solving and interpersonal skills among multiple applicants.
Experts say an increasing number of schools are adopting the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) format, in which applicants rotate through 6 to 10 stations. At each station, a different interviewer presents a different question or scenario. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), the MMI assesses communication, social and nonverbal skills, teamwork, and more.
7. Pick the Right School After Acceptance
There are two degree types: MD (Doctor of Medicine) and DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine).
Schools that award MDs are called allopathic medical schools and offer traditional medical education, while schools that award DOs are osteopathic medical schools and focus on holistic, patient-centered care.
Both MD and DO programs begin with lectures on medical subjects and proceed to clinical training.
When selecting a school that fits you, you should also consider research opportunities, quality and location of clinical training, financial aid packages, residency match success, and cultural factors like mentoring and collaboration.
8. Pass Licensing Exam
During medical school, students typically complete Step 1 and Step 2 of the licensing exams, while Step 3 is taken during residency.
MD students take the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), while DO students take the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX-USA).
DO students may take both exams.
9. Match with a Residency Program
Most fourth-year medical students compete for residency programs through the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP).
Experts say that the higher your licensing exam scores, the easier it will be to obtain the residency of your choice.
10. Graduate from Medical School
Once you earn your medical degree and graduate, you officially become a doctor.
However, to practice independently, you must complete your residency training and pass Step 3 of the licensing exam.
After that, you can apply for board certification.
11. Start Your Residency and Get Licensed
The length of residency varies by field, but is typically between three and seven years.
During the first year of residency, you take the final step of the USMLE or COMLEX-USA, which qualifies you for a general medical license.
To gain deeper knowledge in fields like oncology or cardiology, you can pursue a clinical or research fellowship.
12. Earn Board Certification in Your Specialty
Once you finish residency and pass your specialty board exam, you are eligible to apply for board certification.
The main certifying body is the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), composed of 24 boards that certify 1 million active physicians in 40 specialties and 89 subspecialties.
The American Osteopathic Association (AOA) also offers certification in 27 specialties and 48 subspecialties.
BY BYUNGHEE JANG, ANGELINA CHO(Intern Reporter)
