A career in radiology will make a rewarding and fulfilling profession for someone who enjoys problem solving and helping people. Here we will walk you through the steps involved in learning how to become a radiologist.

Do you love the idea of working in the field of medicine, but would rather not be on call at all hours of the day and night? If so, then becoming a radiologist may be a great way for you to have both a life and a medical career. A radiologist is a physician who specializes in interpreting diagnostic procedures in modalities such as radiography (x-rays), Computed Tomography (CT Scan), Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).

The qualifications necessary to become a radiologist include a four-year bachelor's degree, four additional years for an M.D. degree, a five-year residency in radiology, and a passing grade on the state medical board exam.

• To get a head start on your medical education and gain acceptance to the college of your choice, it is best to take specific courses, and excel in them, while you are still in high school.

• 1. Recommended high school courses include English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Latin and Calculus. Taking additional honors classes will also impress college admissions officers—if you do well in them.
  2. Contact your primary care doctor and ask if he will sit down with you to discuss the career of medicine. Many physicians are more than willing to share their love for the profession they have chosen.
  3. Volunteer at a hospital or radiology facility to become familiar with the field.
  4. Extracurricular activities will look good on your high school transcript. Sports training is one that will also provide experience in the area of medicine.
  5. Consult online resources for information pertaining to medical careers. The Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR) guide provides up-to-date information on medical schools, MCAT and GPA requirements, and information on financial aid packages.AAMC: MSAR

Getting a bachelor's degree will take at least four years at an accredited college or university. A degree in sciences such as biology or chemistry is particularly beneficial in the quest for a radiology degree.

• 1. A major in science is not required, but you must take two years each of biology, chemistry, physics and calculus.HowCast.com: Medical Careers...
  2. Continue with volunteer or medical field work, as it will round out your medical school application.
  3. Research medical school and MCAT test information online. The Association of American Medical Colleges website (www.aamc.org) is a valuable resource for medical school information.
  4. In your junior year, study and take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT).
  5. After taking the MCAT exam, begin applying to medical schools.
  6. Study hard while in college; GPA above a 3.0 is a requirement for most medical schools.MedSchoolReady: GPA & MCAT

• The MCAT is a standardized exam that evaluates an applicant's abilities in the field of medicine, and predicts how likely the student is to endure the academic rigors of medical school. The average test score is a 24, a good score is 30 and a great score is 36.MedSchoolReady: GPA & MCAT

• 1. The test questions are multiple choice and cover the ability to communicate as well as physical and biological sciences.
  2. The exam is designed to test prospective students' writing, problem solving and analytical abilities.
  3. Three months prior to taking the exam, consult the Medical College Admissions Test website to practice taking the exam.AAMC.com: MCAT
  4. It is recommended you take the test by April of your junior year so you will have test results that will allow you to apply for med school early if you wish.MedSchoolReady: GPA & MCAT
  5. Go to bed early to prepare yourself for a long day; the test should take more than five hours to complete.MedSchoolReady: GPA & MCAT

• 1. University of Michigan Medical School
  2. Washington University School of Medicine
  3. University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
  4. Duke University School of Medicine
  5. Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
  6. Stanford University School of Medicine
  7. Yale University School of Medicine
  8. University of Washington School of Medicine
  9. University of California San Francisco School of Medicine
  10. University of Minnesota Minneapolis Medical School

• After taking the MCAT exam and receiving your score, the next step is to apply to the medical schools of your choice. To learn more about applying to med school, check out Mahalo's page on how to become a doctor.

• 1. When applying to medical school, the AAMC's American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) has centralized and thus simplified the application process. It is accepted by 117 U.S. medical schools.
  2. The MCAT score and your college GPA are the main factors in gaining acceptance to the medical school of your choice.
  3. A GPA of 3.7 or higher is important in order to gain entrance into a competitive medical school.HowCast.com: Medical Careers...
  4. The first two years are normally spent in health science lectures.
  5. The final two years will encompass hands-on clinical studies.
  6. Upon graduation, you will be a medical doctor, but you must complete a residency in radiology before you can become a radiologist.

• A residency and a fellowship are additional postgraduate areas of study. A five-year residency, specific to radiology, is required and is a continuation of specialized training in diagnostics and imaging.DegreeDirectory.org: Radiologist...

• The National Resident Matching Program can help you find a residency program that is best-suited for you.NRMP: NRMP

• The Radiology Residency Curriculum normally includes rotations in the following areas:

1. Chest imaging
2. Interventional radiology
3. Musculoskeletal imaging
4. Abdominal imaging
5. Breast imaging
6. Cardiac/Non-invasive
7. Pediatrics
8. Ultrasound
9. Neuroradiology
10. Nuclear medicine

• A fellowship is instrumental if you are considering a university teaching position, and normally takes one to two years to complete.

The road to a career in radiology is long, expensive and life-encompassing, but you will be rewarded by the fulfilling feeling that comes with helping people, as well as the ability to earn a great living.