Additional Information
It usually takes about eight years of post-secondary school to become a
physician -- four years of undergraduate school and four years of medical
school. Before applying to medical school, students must also take the Medical
College Admission Test (MCAT). Almost all U.S. medical schools require applicants
to submit MCAT exam scores.
You must then complete another five years of training in an accredited
residency program for dermatology.
It may sound like a lot of work, but all that training is essential to
do the job effectively.
"It's not an easy specialty," says Dr. Gloria Graham. "You have to diagnose
very accurately with only your eyes. You don't want to misdiagnose something
like melanoma."
Competition for acceptance into medical school is fierce. Only the best
students can become doctors.
"You have to be really disciplined," says Dr. Harvey Lui. "You also have
to be flexible. There are no guarantees. You could do all of the training
for nothing. You should try to expose yourself to all the fields of medicine
[and] find out about other careers related to the skin."
If you are a great student and want to become a dermatologist, experts
recommend volunteering at a local hospital or clinic to gain practical experience
and an edge on other applicants.
Many universities in North America offer dermatology programs. When you
select a program, make sure it is accredited.
While experts agree that any accredited program will get you the training
you need, Graham says it is a good idea to train in an area similar to where
you would like to live and practice. "The type of skin diseases that you will
encounter are going to depend on your location," she says.