Education · 1 of 5

The path

Eleven or twelve years after high school. The last year is the one that makes you a geriatrician.

1. 1

   High school

   Grades 11 and 12

   Biology, chemistry, physics and math, plus any time you can spend around older people. Volunteering in a care home is genuinely useful here.

2. 2

   Bachelor's degree

   4 years

   Any major, as long as you finish the pre-medical science courses and hold a high GPA. Sit the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test).

3. 3

   Medical school

   4 years

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

4. 4

   Residency

   3 years

   Family medicine or internal medicine, three years, matched through the national residency match.

5. 5

   Geriatric medicine fellowship

   1 to 2 years

   One year in an accredited program, with a second year available for research or academic work. Then sit the added qualification exam.