Expert: JM Starkman, MD - 8/12/2010

Question
I want to become an Anesthesiologist. I wanted to know what
are some good schools here in New Jersey that can help me
achieve my goals. I wanted to attend a community collage for
at least a year and then transfer. I wanted to know what you
could recommend, and if you can give me the steps i have to
then take in order to accomplish my goals. Thank you very
much. Andres

Answer
Here are the steps:

1. Decide what it is about becoming a physician and anesthesiologist that appeals to you, and if, in fact, anesthesiology meets those goals.  (Study the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons website,  AAPSOnline.org)

2. Identifiy what the negative aspects of the field are and ask yourself if you're willing to cope with them.  e.g. Is the preposterous bureaucracy and government intervention in medicine today (and growing) commensurate with your career ideology? Do you mind getting puked on?

3.   Get A's in a community college pre-med curriculum, and continue to do extremely well in an upper level university setting.  Have a 'tight' relationship with influential faculty!

4. Get into medical school (read "Getting Into Medical School by Sanford Brown")

5. Get accepted into an anesthesiology residency training program and after licensure, prepare the study and clinical experience needed for board examination in Anesthesiology.

New Jersey has a great selection of colleges and universities from which to choose--all of which have more to teach you than you could possibly learn in four years.  Chose one based on factors important to you (i.e. cost, locale, etc.)