What does it take to become a dermatologist?

How many years does it take to become a dermatologist after high school with an AA Degree?

• If I get out of high school with an AA Degree, how many more years will it take me to become a dermatologist? About how much will it cost for all of this?

• Answer:

  Med schools like to see the pre-requisite math and science courses taken at a four-year college and it's hard to get them all in in the last two years of college, with everything else you would need to take. You may end up taking more than the "usual" four years to get all your college credits. In college you need to earn at least a 3.5 GPA, in any major as long as you take those pre-reqs [need to do well in those, especially]. You'll need to score well on the MCATs. You'll need good recommendations and, ideally, experience in the field - if you work in a prof's research lab that would kill two birds w/one stone! Assuming you're among the small percentage of students admitted to med school, you'll have four years of very hard work, a very competitive and stressful atmosphere and a huge debt [no financial aid for med school]. After med school, you'll have at least four years of residency, perhaps more, depending on the chosen specialty. During med school and residency, you'll need to pass the three-part National Boards and then after residency you'll need to pass the specialty board exam.