Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 8/6/2010

Question
Hello, I'm about to begin my first year in college and i have been really interested in becoming an anesthesiologist. I've been trying to do a lot of research to help myself figure out what classes i should take and when i should take the MCAT. I know that I'm supposed to take Biology, inorganic and organic chemistry, physics, chemistry, biochemistry, genetics and cell biology (like you mentioned),etc. What year in college should I sign up to take the MCAT? I read that a lot of people sign up, and then study for a year and then take it. Is this a good idea?Where can you take the MCAT? How difficult is it to get into Med school? After med school, what other training do you get into? how many years of residency? As a female, I'm also thinking about the future, how difficult do you think it is to be in medical school and have a personal life (family, etc)? Or would it be virtually impossible to juggle everything? How much specializing in anesthesiology did you do in mead school, or do you just learn a vast majority of everything? How did you deal with the build up of student loans? What classes should i take after my Gen Eds? What is the major difference between an anesthesiologist and a Nurse practitioner of anesthesiology? Thank you!

Answer
That's a lot of questions!

Let me try to answer them:


What year in college should I sign up to take the MCAT?

Generally you take them in the Junior year (and maybe in Senior also)


I read that a lot of people sign up, and then study for a year and then take it. Is this a good idea?
  You should be studying throughout college so this doesn't help anything.


Where can you take the MCAT?
  The offer it at your college.


How difficult is it to get into Med school?
  It's very compettitive so you need very good grades.


After med school, what other training do you get into?
  After med school you start your anesthesiology residency.


how many years of residency?
  4

As a female, I'm also thinking about the future, how difficult do you think it is to be in medical school and have a personal life (family, etc)?
  It's difficult but many physicians do it.


How much specializing in anesthesiology did you do in mead school,
  None. Med school is to learn all medicine.


How did you deal with the build up of student loans?
  It often takes many years ot pay off. Mine took 15 yrs.


What classes should i take after my Gen Eds?
  You need to take the premedd prerequisite courses and the courses for your major.


What is the major difference between an anesthesiologist and a Nurse practitioner of anesthesiology?
  One is a doctor with 8 years of training, the other is a nurse with 2 yrs of training. You can figure out the rest.


Ronald Levy, MD
Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston