Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 7/30/2007

Question
Hello Dr. Levy. Thanks for your time.  I am 35 yo with a B.S in mechanical engineer and currently own my own business. I have an interest to go to med school and maybe even anesthesiology.

1)What can I do to improve my chances to get into a Houston Medical school?

2)My understanding is I have to (a)get accepted into med school, (b)pass med school, (c) pass the boards, (d) get accepted into a residency program (like anesthesiology), (e) do I have to pass something to get out of the 4 years of anesthesiology?

3)Question 2 - If you fail any of the above stages is that it?  Can you reapply?  One of my concerns is getting in and passing and then not getting accepted to say an anesthesiology residency program.

4)My home and family is here in Houston. Concidering the rate of acceptance to all these different programs. Is it unrealistic to try to stay in Houston?

Thanks again

Answer
1)What can I do to improve my chances to get into a Houston Medical school?

Take all the required pre-med courses, do well on MCAT exams and probably demonstrate interest by volunteering in a hospital or work for EMS etc.

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2)My understanding is I have to (a)get accepted into med school, (b)pass med school, (c) pass the boards, (d) get accepted into a residency program (like anesthesiology), (e) do I have to pass something to get out of the 4 years of anesthesiology?


During and at the end of med school you take Part I and Part II of the medical boards. After residency, you can practice anesthesiology but you will want to take your specialty board exams.


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3)Question 2 - If you fail any of the above stages is that it?  Can you reapply?  One of my concerns is getting in and passing and then not getting accepted to say an anesthesiology residency program.

If you don't get accepted to anesthesiology, you can change specialties or try again. You are still a doctor but you may not be able to get the specialty you want. It is vbery competitive.


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4)My home and family is here in Houston. Concidering the rate of acceptance to all these different programs. Is it unrealistic to try to stay in Houston?

It's not unrealistic but it obviously reduces you options. For medical school you might want to branch out but try to get anesthesia residencies in Texas.

Ronald Levy, MD
Associate Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston