Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 7/19/2008

Question
i understand the whole process of becoming an anesthesiologist 4 years of undergraduate, 4 years of medical school, and 4 years of residency. When school starts back i will be a senior in high school. my first question is do you think the university of south florida is a good place to start my 12 step years of becoming an anesthesiologist. my 2nd question is that im a smart girl but a horrible test taker and every time i take a test i always score low on the important ones like the SATS and ACTs,how am i suppose to handle the mcat? also what are the different types of anesthesiologists? also how much debt does the average medical school get into after done with all 12 years of schooling? as for my last question is high school information needed for the mcat or is college knowledge majority of what you need for the mcat???

Answer
my first question is do you think the university of south florida is a good place to start my 12 step years of becoming an anesthesiologist.


I don't know about that specific school but any University should be fine.

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my 2nd question is that im a smart girl but a horrible test taker and every time i take a test i always score low on the important ones like the SATS and ACTs,how am i suppose to handle the mcat?


There are ways for poor test takers to improve. I suggest taking one of the prep courses (or perhaps seeing a test psychologist early in your college life.


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also what are the different types of anesthesiologists?

There are no different types but there are people who specialize in Pediatrics, Hearts, Neuro, Pain or critical care.


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also how much debt does the average medical school get into after done with all 12 years of schooling?

Anywhere from nothing to over $100,000. I don't know the average.


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as for my last question is high school information needed for the mcat or is college knowledge majority of what you need for the mcat???

The MCAT is primarily college level material. You need to know Calculus, Biology, Physics and Chemistry.


Hope this helps,

Ronald Levy, MD
Associate PRofessor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston