Being on this page you must be searching for steps on how to become a doctor in Alberta.
If you have dreams of helping people stay happy and healthy, then I think you should consider becoming a doctor. Becoming a doctor is an amazing and rewarding career choice.
There are so many things that you can do to put yourself on the right path especially if you are still in high school.
It might take a long time to get through all of the training but in all, you are sure to have gotten the level of expertise to practice medicine when you finish.
Canadian physicians earn $339,000 each year on average. Becoming a doctor in Canada is a process that is lengthy. Read on to see how to become a doctor in Alberta.
How many years does it take to become a doctor?
It can take anything from 10 years and above to achieve this. This is because you will have to earn a degree from a 4-year college before you can be able to apply to a medical school.
Then, in medical school, you will study another 4 years before moving to gain experience in the field for a few more years upon graduation.
What courses should I take before med school?
Life science courses are mostly preferred since you are going to be working with medicines and their effect on people.
Therefore it is important that you pick classes like human biology, organic chemistry and pharmacology if they are available at your school.
It’s not just about choosing these courses, you must make up your mind to study hard in each of the cases since they are prerequisites for med schools.
Include a few classes in psychology and sociology. Taking these courses will help you more about how people think and behave and in turn will help you know how to offer the best treatments to individuals.
Please note that the course requirements depend on the medical schools, therefore always check the medical schools you are interested in to see what courses you need to take.
Steps on how to become a doctor in Alberta
Here are the steps to becoming doctor in Alberta:
- Earn a bachelor’s degree in science
- Take the MCAT exam
- Choose a Med school
- Take and Pass Your Licensing Exam
- Complete Your Residency
Earn a bachelor’s degree in science before applying
You have to earn your bachelor’s degree before applying to any of the medical schools in Canada. Most med schools in Canada accept most degree programs, but you have better chances of getting accepted if you choose a science-related field, such as biology or chemistry since they are there to help you more with the courses in medical school.
Focus and work hard on your studies, do that you can do well on all your coursework and examinations.
Take the MCAT exam and submit your scores to the Med school of your choice
The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a standardized test that’s required for your med school application.
The test is multiple-choice and is split into 4 sections:
- Biological and Biochemical foundations
- Chemical and Physical foundations
- Psychological, Social and Biological foundations
- Critical Analysis an Reasoning
The MCAt is accepted within three years of application. There are about 17 medical schools in Canada which you can choose from. You will find a lot them requiring that you are a resident of that province to qualify.
Choose a Med school and fill out their application
At this stage, you must have done a proper research on the best medical school for you in Canada.
Visit their application page, fill out the online application with your information and transcripts and essays which they must have asked you to write.
You will need letter of recommendations from professors and advisors.
Once accepted, you have to keep in mind that medical schools lasts for four years. The first two years will take place in the classroom and lab environment as well.
The last two years incorporates clinical where you will be opportune to work with patients under the supervision of licensed physician.
Take and Pass Your Licensing Exam
After your training in a four year medical school, you will be required to take the licensing examination which is meant to prove your knowledge and competency before you can be able to work in Alberta as a physician.
The licensing examination is known as MCCEE or Medical Council of Canada Evaluating Examination.
It is the most difficult examination you must prepare your mind to take. Therefore it is advised to start of early to prepare.
Complete Your Residency
Finally, once you have passed the Medical Council of Canada Evaluating Examination and have been licensed.
Canada law require that u complete a residency program before you can be allowed to work independently in Alberta.
The aim is to allow newly licensed doctors to work under experienced doctors in order to learn from more experienced professionals in a sort of mentoring system.
For different doctors, residency might last for several years.
Family doctors residency lasts for about 2 years. Specialists residency can last as long as six years .
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Conclusion on How to become a doctor in Alberta
You must have in mind that only a quarter of the students who apply to medical schools in Canada are accepted .
Therefore, while checking how to become a doctor in Alberta, you must plan ahead of time and must endure that your credentials are outstanding.
You must equally have a high GPA.All the best!
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Thank you very much for the detailed info!