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High School Students
Steps to Becoming a Physician
- Make sure your high school curriculum includes plenty of mathematics, science, and English courses.
- Do your best--remember that what you learn later will build on what you are learning NOW.
- Many colleges require two years of foreign language instruction at the high school level.
- Learn to write clearly and well.
- Take the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and/or the ACT.
- Medical school admissions committees look for "well-rounded" individuals, so develop your interests in sports, the arts, or other extracurricular activities.
- Volunteer for community service activities.
- Pursue opportunities to learn more about the medical profession. Do some job shadowing, or volunteer for health care organizations such as hospitals, assisted living centers, or others.
- Attend the annual Alaska Health Education Summit, sponsored by the UAA WWAMI School of Medical Education and the College of Health. You will learn about the academic path you will take in order to become a physician, medical school prerequisites, the MCAT examination, financial aid and MORE.
Helpful Links
The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) website offers information for
students considering a medical career.
The Alaska Center for Rural Health offers a website containing information about health careers in Alaska.