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Careers: Medical & Psychiatry/Medical College

Expert: AR - 12/4/2007

Question
Hey,

My name is Rachel and I have wanted to be a surgeon, more specifically, a neurosurgeon, for a long time. I'm only in 10th grade, but I have been doing research on where to go to college and then medical school. Problem is, all the renown medical colleges cost so much money. Unfortunately, this has swayed my parents into thinking that I should go for a less expensive career. Do med schools offer any kind of scholarships? Also, what was the typical med student life like for you? How smart do you have to be to get into medical college? I'm taking all honors courses and have low to mid 90's in them.
Your answers would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!

Answer
Hi Rachel,

thank you for your email.

You have started your research quite early! Well good for you.

The path to become a neurosurgeon incolves first: undergraduate degree (4 years) then medical school (4 years), then a paid residency in neurosurgery (7 years).

So as you can see it is a very long road.

Medical schools do offer a limited number of scholarships. But most students who attend, will obtain some sort of financial aid. For example these organizations offer student loans (see this link):

http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/index.jsp

I actually went to a medical school in the Caribbean and I have a website about it:
http://www.caribbeanmedicine.com/

I have also written a book about my medical school experience here: http://www.amazon.com/Caribbean-Medical-Schools-Journey-Guide/dp/1419681648/ref=...

Feel free to email me if you have any further questions, thank you

Asad Raza, MD
Admin - www.CaribbeanMedicine.com

Careers: Medical & Psychiatry

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Hello, I am a graduate of medicine. I can answer questions about medical school and in particular medical schools in the Caribbean.