Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 4/13/2008

Question
QUESTION: Dr. Levy,
   I am currently a junior in high school.  I have recently finished all my credits for high school coming into my senior year.  I am very interested in looking into becoming an Anesthesiologist.  I've recently talked to a councilor at Utah Valley State College (UVSC) where I've already taken college classes through my high school.  At the time of this meeting I was not sure what I wanted to major in, I told her something medical.  For my general academics she put me in as an associate in science/arts degree.  She told me that I could have 3/4 of my associates done by the time I graduate.  I plan to finish my associates in UVSC after high school and then move on to a bigger college to get my bachelors etc. etc.  I've taken medical anatomy, physiology classes etc.  We've dissected pig hearts and sheep brains therefore I know that the gory side of medicine wont get to me.  I love being in a stressful work environment.    This is definitely the field I want to go into.  Also, I currently am a volunteer at the American Fork Hospital in medical records.

QUESTIONS:

1.  What college would you suggest I apply for, out of Utah?  How about New York Medical College?

2.  Am I headed on the right path by being an associate in science/arts.

3.  Do you suggest becoming an intern?  If so, what is the best way to achieve this?

4.  Ultimately I'm a little lost at where to head from this point.  If you could push me in the right direction I would appreciate it.

5.  I know it take 4 years of college, 4 years of Med. school and 4 years residency experience to become an Anesthesiologist.  Are these 2 different schools I will have to attend or can I do them in the same school?  

I look forward to reading your response and I greatly appreciate you taking the time to answer.

ANSWER: QUESTIONS:

1.  What college would you suggest I apply for, out of Utah?  How about New York Medical College?

An Associates degree doesn't do much for you in terms of medicine. In fact it may hurt you because medical schools want to see you taking tough courses at the college level. I don't understand why you want to take an Associates degree first. As for colleges, any college is fine if it offers a 4 yr degree. New Yrok Medical college is a medical school, not a college. You might go there after college.

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2.  Am I headed on the right path by being an associate in science/arts.

See answer above.


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3.  Do you suggest becoming an intern?  If so, what is the best way to achieve this?

Again you are putting the cart before the horse. You become an intern after college and medical school.


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4.  Ultimately I'm a little lost at where to head from this point.  If you could push me in the right direction I would appreciate it.

I would suggest looking into getting into a 4 yr college. You can major in anything you want as long as you take all the premed courses as well. If you do well there, you can worry about the rest.


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5.  I know it take 4 years of college, 4 years of Med. school and 4 years residency experience to become an Anesthesiologist.  Are these 2 different schools I will have to attend or can I do them in the same school?  

College, medical school and residency are all different programs. Some schools have all 3 but you still have to get accepted into each one separately. It is sometimes an advantage to go to one of these schools as they might give preference to their graduates but it is not guaranteed.


Hope this helps,

Ronald Levy, MD
Associate Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: So if I shouldnt be going for my associates what should I be going for?  What degree do I want to get for college?  I guess im just a little confused on the exchange between medical school and college works.  Wouldnt I want to get a medical degree in college?  If you could clear this up that would be great!  Thanks!

Answer
You should be going for a Bachelor's degree (either BA or BS). You don't get a medical degree in college, you get a bachelor's (or later a Master's or PhD) degree. You get a medical degree in medical school.

Ronald Levy, MD
Associate Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston