Education · 1 of 5

The path

The longest route on this site. Thirteen years after high school, minimum.

1. 1

   High school

   Grades 11 and 12

   Top grades in biology, chemistry and math. You need a strong grade point average to be competitive for medical school later.

2. 2

   Bachelor's degree

   4 years

   Any major, but you must finish the pre-medical science courses. Keep your grades high and take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT).

3. 3

   Medical school

   4 years

   Two years of classroom science, two years of clinical rotations. You graduate as a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO).

4. 4

   Residency

   3 years

   Internal medicine or pediatrics. This is where you learn to be a doctor rather than a student. Paid, supervised, and long hours.

5. 5

   Allergy and immunology fellowship

   2 years

   A further subspecialty training program, then the certifying exam from the American Board of Allergy and Immunology.