How to Become a Pediatrician

Are you considering a career in medicine? Do you enjoy working with children? Pediatricians have a unique opportunity to care for youngsters as they grow into young adulthood. As a pediatrician, you have the option of practicing general medicine or specializing in pediatrics. From high school through medical school and beyond, this page will walk you through the process of how to become a pediatrician.
Steps to Becoming a Pediatrician
1. Begin preparing for a career in medicine during high school
2. Take advanced-placement courses and consider doing volunteer work with children
3. Obtain a bachelor's degree; maintain a high GPA
4. Take the MCAT
5. Complete four years of medical school
6. Finish a three-year residency in pediatrics

Introduction
- Pediatricians are responsible for the medical care of infants, children and adolescents. Becoming a pediatrician is no easy task; many years of schooling are required. Prospective pediatricians must attend four years of medical school followed by a minimum three-year residency before they can begin to practice medicine.
Step 1: Prepare Early
- The path to becoming a pediatrician begins years before medical school. In high school, take advanced courses and get good grades. Overall excellence in high school will give you a jump-start on your medical education.
1. Recommended high school courses include biology, chemistry, calculus and physics.
2. Latin can also be helpful; many medical terms are actually derived from Latin words.
3. Take advanced-placement or honors courses.
4. Consider doing volunteer work.
  1. Volunteer at a local hospital to get a first-hand look at the medical profession.
  2. Get a part-time job working in a local pediatrician's office.
  3. Volunteer for any position that involves working with children. You could work in a daycare or at a children's clinic.
5. Remember to be well-rounded; participate in extracurricular activities like sports and civic groups.
6. Target potential colleges you might want to attend early. Make a list of admissions requirements for each college you are interested in and take steps to fulfill each of those requirements.
7. Get a high score on your SAT to better your chances of being accepted into the college of your choice. High SAT scores could also help you qualify for college scholarships.Peterson's: Prepping for Med School in High School
Step 2: Get a Bachelor's Degree
- Aspiring medical professionals must have a four-year degree from an accredited college. Most students opt to major in pre-medicine or biology, with a strong emphasis on mathematics and science.
1. If you major in liberal arts or humanities, you will need to take courses outside your major, including:
  1. Biology
  2. Physics
  3. Organic chemistry
  4. Calculus
2. Keep your GPA high during your college career; minimum GPA requirements vary among medical schools.
  1. A 3.0 GPA is considered a minimum for many medical schools.
  2. Some schools require a minimum GPA of 3.5 or higher for admission.StudentDoc: Medical School Requirements
3. Prepare for, and take, the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT). MCAT scores are a critical component needed for acceptance into medical school. The MCAT is comprised of four sections:
  1. Physical sciences
  2. Biological sciences
  3. Verbal reasoning
  4. A writing sample
4. MCAT practice tests are available here via the Medical College Admissions Test's official website. Results of the practice tests will help you determine areas where you may need additional work before you take the actual exam.
Step 3: Attend Medical School
- Once you have obtained the necessary bachelor's degree and taken the MCAT, it is time to submit applications for medical school. The Association of American Medical Colleges lists 130 accredited MD-granting U.S. medical schools and 17 accredited Canadian medical schools to choose from.
Getting In
1. Submit an application and any letters of recommendation to the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS). This is a centralized, online medical service used by most medical schools. Submit your application as early as possible.
2. If any of your chosen schools are interested, they will request a second application.
3. The second application typically involves a detailed essay on a variety of topics.The Princeton Review: Medical School Applications
4. If your second application is accepted, you will be asked to visit the medical school's campus for an interview.
Top 10 Pediatric Medicine Programs in the United States
1. Baylor University College of Medicine
2. University of Colorado Health Science Center School of Medicine
3. University of South Florida College of Medicine
4. Yale University School of Medicine
5. Stanford University School of Medicine
6. Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
7. University of Alabama School of Medicine
8. Washington University School of Medicine
9. David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
10. Johns Hopkins University School of MedicineResident Physician: Official Ranking of U.S. Pediatrics Departments
What To Expect
- Once you are accepted into a program, you can expect to spend four years studying every aspect of medicine. Medical school can be both physically and emotionally draining; be sure to pace yourself to avoid burnout.
1. The first two years of medical school are mainly comprised of classroom education, including lectures and labs. Courses include:
  1. Human anatomy and physiology
  2. Pathology
  3. MicrobiologyBureau of Labor Statistics: Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement
2. During the second year of medical school, students are required to take the first part of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) to determine if they are competent to practice medicine. The USMLE's official website offers practice materials to prepare you for this comprehensive exam.
3. The next two years of medical school typically include clinical rotations. These rotations can include:
  1. Internal medicine
  2. Family practice
  3. Pediatrics
4. During the fourth and final year of medical school, students begin to focus on specific fields of medicine and apply for a residency.
5. Part two of the USMLE exam is taken during the student's senior year.
- To get an idea of the curriculum you will follow during your years in medical school, check out the Association of American Medical Colleges' curriculum directory.
Step 4: Complete a Residency
- Before you can become board-certified to practice pediatrics in the U.S., you must complete a three-year residency program to gain in-depth experience in the field.
1. The first year of a pediatric residency typically includes:
  1. Rotations through various medical units, with a focus on recognizing and treating serious illnesses in children.
  2. The rotations are conducted under the close supervision of senior residents and staff physicians.Children's Hospital of Philadelphia: Pediatric Residency Program
  3. The third and final step of the USMLE exam is taken during the first year of residency training.
2. Second-year pediatric residents begin to gain supervisory experience by working in pediatric intensive care units and the neonatal ICU. Residents may also begin to take courses in a variety of pediatric subspecialties.Children's Hospital of Philadelphia: Pediatric Residency Program
3. The third year of residency involves even more intensive supervisory work with increased responsibilities. Third-year senior pediatric residents often supervise:
  1. Inpatient units
  2. Emergency rooms
  3. Pediatric intensive care unitsChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia: Pediatric Residency Program
- After completing a three-year residency program, you must sit for the general pediatrics certification exam. The exam is administered by the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP). The ABP offers certification in general pediatrics and several pediatric subspecialties.Official Site: American Board of Pediatrics
Conclusion
- Once you have passed the necessary licensing exams, you are ready to embark on an exciting career in the challenging field of pediatric medicine. The duties of a pediatrician are many—from vaccinating infants against diseases to treating adolescents on a range of social and emotional matters. Pediatricians often act as physicians, counselors and confidants while treating a variety of children's health issues.
References for How to Become a Pediatrician