Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 5/19/2009

Question
Hello my name is Brandon and I need your help. I have many questions. I have put much thought in my future and I have had the desire to become an anesthesiologist for a long time now. I am a sophomore going on junior in high school. I have taken many med related classes such as medical terminology, body structures and functions, fundamentals of health care and concepts of health care do you think they will help in med school? Through these classes i have found I love the medical field. I'm considering WVU for my bachelors degree is it a good school? I would love to go to Johns Hopkins Medical school is it a good medical school?  I usually have a GPA of 3.5-4.0 is that good enough? What Kind of job can I get at the hospital after completing my 4 year bachelor degree while in med school? What is the average salery during residency? Is anesthesiology a rewarding career in your opinion?

Answer
Here are your answers:

I have taken many med related classes such as medical terminology, body structures and functions, fundamentals of health care and concepts of health care do you think they will help in med school?

All science courses help in some respect.

I'm considering WVU for my bachelors degree is it a good school?

I don't know that school but I imagine it is fine.

I would love to go to Johns Hopkins Medical school is it a good medical school?  

It is an excellent medical school and also very competitive so you need to work hard to get in.

I usually have a GPA of 3.5-4.0 is that good enough?

It depends. For Johns Hopkins you'd probably need closer to a 4.0. For other medical schools, 3.5 may be enough but the higher the better. Also, don't assume that because you get a 3.5-4 in high school it will be the same in college. College is much more competitive.

What Kind of job can I get at the hospital after completing my 4 year bachelor degree while in med school?

Generally none because bed school is so demanding but you're welcome to try.

What is the average salery during residency?

$35,000 - $50,000

Is anesthesiology a rewarding career in your opinion?

Yes (or I wouldn't be doing it)!

Ronald Levy, MD
Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston