What are the steps of becoming a Medical Doctor after High School?

What are the popular routes that people take through medical school to become a doctor?

• Particularly for a high school junior, what are the common routes through all of the education needed in becoming a doctor? What are some of the less common routes?  What are some common combined programs, for premed or other steps in the path to becoming a doctor? Also, any particularly awesome schools along the way? On a personal level, as you could probably figure, I'm a high school student, and for a very long time I've been interested in becoming a doctor.  Now that I'm in the summer between my sophomore and junior year, I figure it's a good time to start looking at schools of interest, at least for getting an idea of what my educational path will look like from here on out. Thank you for any help you can provide!

• Answer:

  You will need top grades in college and MCAT scores. The college you choose may have influence on what med school you get into. The "better" the school, the more likely you will be accepted into med school. The nation's top colleges mostly have med schools...Harvard, UCSF, Stanford, Hopkins, UCLA, Yale, Columbia, Duke etc. If you can get into one of these schools, you may have the opportunity to do research at the medical school. This will give you an opportunity to get a better understanding of the school and you will get to know faculty members. Their recommendation could be a big help gaining admission to that school (and others). I went to Hopkins and thought it was an incredible experience start to finish. Wonderful faculty and students (notwithstanding East Baltimore). Later I did a post doc fellowship at Stanford. Beautiful setting and facilities with lots of brilliant minds. For the most vigorous training, can't beat Harvard, Hopkins and Duke though you will do well at any of the top 10 to 15 schools. Good luck.