Expert: Dr. Kevin D. Kanz - 7/27/2010

Question
I'm fourteen years old and starting high school.I want to become a pediatrician.I'm in love with new borns and kids and i have a heart for helping and volunteering.I'm also getting out in my communtity doing hands on projects.What do i have to do in high school to become a pediatrician? Are their other fields i can work in that help new borns? What are the best states and colleges to look into?

Answer
Hi Aliyah,
There are a number of fields in health care that deal with the needs of children and new borns.  Medicine and nursing are directly involved from pre-birth to young adulthood.  All 50 U.S. States have medical and or nursing programs that directly involve pediatrics.  Check with your high school counselor about pre-medical and nursing programs as well as honors and volunteer programs.  You can do a great deal now that can help you along this path.  Good grades, strong science and biology curriculum, and volunteer activities strongly influence college recruiters.  These will help your chances for program admission considerably.  Hope this helps...
~Dr.K