Health care workers have always been an integral part of American society, and even more so since the pandemic. However, the fact is that there simply aren't enough healthcare workers in the US, and the situation is only going to get worse.
A study from the American Association of Medical Colleges looked into this and found that by 2034, we might be short between 37,800 to 124,000 doctors! This means we're going to need more doctors in both general medicine and specialized areas.
So, when your child graduates from medical school, they'll have plenty of excellent job options. But, if they're considering going to medical school and becoming a doctor, you might wonder how to help them get there from high school.
A common path is for them to take pre-med classes in college. But what exactly does "pre-med" entail?
"Pre-medicine" is what students often call the set of college courses and activities aimed at getting them ready for medical school. It's not a major on its own.
As a pre-med student, your child will attend regular classes, do lab work, and take part in things like research projects, shadowing doctors, and gaining hands-on experience in healthcare.
These courses and experiences help them build the knowledge they'll need for things like the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and applying to medical school. With so much to cover in just four years, it's helpful for your child to have a supportive pre-health advisor at their college who can guide them through each step along the way.
Pre-med studies aren't just for future doctors; they're also helpful for students interested in careers like pharmacy, dentistry, optometry, physician assistant, or physical therapy.
Taking an introductory course in healthcare professions can give your child a broad view of these career paths.
If your child is considering the pre-med path, you might wonder what courses they'll need to take. Most graduate-level healthcare programs expect students to have completed certain classes. These typically include:
- One year of biology with lab
- One year of general chemistry with lab
- One year of organic chemistry with lab
- One year of physics with lab
- At least one semester of biochemistry
- A math requirement
- One year of English
(As per Berry college’s blog)
These courses lay the groundwork for your child's future studies in healthcare.
They'll also have the chance to explore additional subjects like cellular biology, immunology, genetics, and biochemistry. These courses help them build a strong foundation for their career in the medical field.
You can find more detailed information about specific subjects on this Princeton review blog!
Prepping for Pre-Med
Preparing for the MCAT and ensuring your child’s application stands out are crucial aspects of the pre-med journey. Alongside their regular K12 coursework, they’ll have to dedicate time to mastering test-taking strategies for the MCAT and organizing your application materials.
Fortunately, with the increasing popularity of online course help and personalized tutoring platforms, accessing assistance for test prep and application support has become more convenient than ever. At Mentor Match online tutoring platform, we provide one-on-one tutoring to support your child in various aspects of their academic journey.
Our tutors not only assist with K-12 syllabus subjects but also help your child connect the dots between their current studies and future goals, such as cracking the MCAT exam for medical school admission. Our expert tutors in the US offer personalized guidance online to ensure your child's success every step of the way!
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