What does it take to become a dermatologist?

What courses do I take in high school to become a dermatologist?

• I need to finish my blueprint and I'm not so sure as I have been getting a lot of different information. I am in grade ten and I am fifteen. I need to figure out my courses for when I am in grade eleven and twelve now. Should I take these subjects in: Grade 11: ~Aquatics ~Functions & Applications ~Art ~Psychology ~Chemistry ~Biology ~English ~Spanish Grade 12: ~English (AP?) ~Spanish ~Calculus and Vectors ~Biology (AP?) ~Physics ~Philosophy (?) ~Free course ~Free course AP stands for advanced placement which is a special course in our school that helps you prepare for university. It is taught university-style. There is also the R.U.S.H program in our school which is a "special" program for those who get higher grades then usual. I have taken all academic classes this year and last year also. SOMEONE HELP, I have been looking for awhile but they do not focus on high school subjects much.

• Answer:

  Congratulations on deciding a field of health care to pursue at such an early age. For now, pursue a well rounded study course with emphasis in science, biology, chemistry and also language, and that can be English, Latin, or any language of your choosing. Even music will help you in studying and being a confident practitioner. Consider sociology courses, and do well in all your courses to have the scores to enter the college you choose later. I believe these subjects will give you a very good foundation for future studies in anatomy, chemistry, physics, pharmacology, etc. Talk with a local dermatologist, spend time in an office, and check out colleges offering this field in medical study. Your best help will be a dermatologist to sponsor you and offer practical suggestions and recommendations for study, college, and practice later.