When you decide to become a doctor, you are set for a lifelong path of hard work, grit, compassion, and commitment to serving others. This requires planning, patience, and a vision. If you are wondering how to become a doctor, keep reading to learn what it takes to build a successful and rewarding career in medicine and practice anywhere in the world.

1.    Complete your undergraduate degree

What subjects are needed to become a doctor? Typically, students who are planning to becoming a doctor will choose to complete a Bachelor of Science degree, but that does not mean you cannot get into a medical school with another degree. As long as you have completed the core pre-requisite courses, such as chemistry and biology, and have secured a high GPA, you are eligible to apply. 

Furthermore, do not underestimate the value of volunteering in various labs during your undergraduate degree to gain hands-on research skills. Your undergraduate education will help you build a solid foundation of knowledge and experiences. Have a diversity of your experiences will make you appear more attractive as a medical student candidate.

2.    Write your MCAT

The MCAT, or the Medical College Admission Test, is a standardized exam that is written by pre-med students aspiring to get into medical school, and is a way to shine a light on your excellent academic knowledge. Typically, prospective medical students will write their MCAT in their third year if they are planning to apply for a medical school in their fourth year. The content of the exam is usually heavily focused on introductory-level biology, chemistry, physics, biochemistry, and psychology. Allow yourself ample time and pace yourself as you study for this exam. While many medical schools rely on MCAT scores for admission, some international medical universities, such as medical schools in the Caribbean, have exemptions to MCAT score requirements. Read on to learn more about these medical schools.

3.    Get ready for Medical School

How many years does it take to become a doctor? Completing medical school typically takes between 4 to 6 years. Medical school tuition in Canada is, on average, $17,000 per year, and the cost of medical school in Ontario is the highest in the country, at over $27,000 per year. Overall, it can cost approximately $160,000 to become a doctor in Canada. In addition, there are only 17 medical schools across the entire country, and enrolment in these 17 medical schools has remained stable for about a decade, instead of increasing over time with the country’s growing healthcare demands. This means that admission is extremely competitive in Canada. Some medical schools receive up to 1000 applications for only 100 spots for first-year medical students! Instead of applying to these very competitive schools, many aspiring doctors choose to complete their medical degree abroad, return to Canada or the US to complete residencies, and practice as independent physicians upon completing their licensing exams. Many Caribbean medical schools are fully accredited and provide a competitive academic and hands-on experience with a degree that is in line with both US and Canadian medical school systems, producing highly qualified doctors that are equipped to practice across North America. The American University of Barbados, School of Medicine (AUB) is a top Caribbean medical schools that is CAAM-HP accredited, which means that graduates are eligible to write their medical licensing exam. 

4.    Complete your Licensing Exam

To practice in Canada, an international medical student must write the MCCEE or the Medical Council of Canada Evaluating Exam. There are 2 parts to this exam, the Qualifying Exam Part I (MCCQEI) and Part II (MCCQEII). You will need to pass both parts to become a Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada (LMCC) and practice as a doctor in Canada. As an international student, the advantage of studying at a Canadian-accredited medical school in the Caribbean, such as the American University of Barbados (AUB), School of Medicine, is that these schools are recognized by the Medical Council of Canada, making you eligible to write the MCCEE. 

5.    Residency

Residency allows you to finally practice medicine while receiving critical training directly from other established doctors. This step in the process to becoming a doctor can take between 2 to 6 years, depending on the type of medicine that you decide to specialize in, such as neurology, oncology, or family medicine. To qualify for a residency in Canada, you must complete the National Assessment Collaboration (NAC) exam after completing the MCCEE. If you are not a Canadian citizen, then you must also apply to be a permanent resident (PR).

It may seem like a long journey, but working towards a career in medicine is extremely satisfying and rewarding. Becoming a medical student at the American University of Barbados (AUB), School of Medicine, an accredited medical school, is a highly desirable option for Canadians for many reasons. It is a top international medical university with reasonable admission requirements and affordable medical school tuition fees in comparison to other North American medical schools. Consider becoming a medical student at AUB, School of Medicine to kickstart your journey as a doctor.