2 Comments so far

1. J.S. on October 25, 2009 6:39 am

   After high school you would go to school and major in something like pre-med and/or biology, chemistry, biotech, biochem, or something science-related. You would take the MCAT in your junior year of undergraduate school and apply to medical schools. Typically students spend 3-5 years at the undergraduate level. Once you graduate you would then go to a medical school. You will graduate there with an MD after 4 years, assuming you pass your board exams. Your 3rd and 4th years are mostly spent on rotations learning about the different fields such as internal medicine, paediatrics, ob/gyn, surgery, and others. You apply for residencies in the field you’re most interested in sometime around your 3rd-4th year of med school. You take where you’re placed based on what you’re interested in – in your case, oncology.
   There are several subspecialties of oncology you could look into such as surgical oncology, radiation oncology, medical oncology, pediatric oncology, or so many others. It all depends on what you’re most interested in and what the field needs the most.
   For now, while you’re still in high school, some really good things to do that will help you get into college and eventually med school would be to volunteer at a local hospital or nursing home, shadow doctors, and be active in your community. Anything medically-related that you could become involved in will only show universities that you have a great interest and that you’re less likely to drop out after admission.
   I hope the best for you in your studies and hope your ultimate goal of becoming an oncologist works out. If you have any more questions or anything, I’ve had a lot of experience in the field with my son over the last almost 3 years. Feel free to email me (crazycanuckj@yahoo.ca) or IM me (crazycanuckj).

2. thinking on October 25, 2009 7:01 am

   About twelve years to qualify, after high school in N. America.