So, you want to be a Radiologist.....

I receive many e-mails from young students on how to prepare for a career as a Radiologist.

To become a radiologist, you need to go to medical school (4 years), do an Internship (1 year) before doing a Residency in Radiology (4 years) and possibly some sub-specialty training (1 -2 years). It's a lot of work and not a fast, "get rich scheme" some people believe. Besides, Radiology doesn't need people whose primary motivation is money.

Because a radiologist is a physician first, you should have a good heart and really want to help sick people. Without this kind of commitment, I don't think you will be able to endure the rigorous training of medical school. So, being a good human being is at the top of the list.

Next, you need to be bright, hard working, and conscientious, with good verbal and written skills. You had better be a good reader. A good memory is a definite asset.

Much is made of exactly what courses to study in school. Again, the ability to speak and write clearly is very important. Many courses can develop skills in these areas. Science courses, I think, provide a good foundation, especially for the "pre-clinical" years of medical school.

When people looked at common traits of physicians, they found that the ability to defer pleasure was high on the list. Much sacrifice is involved in becoming a physician. Being a doctor had better be something you want to do VERY much.

The best way to find out way to find out what a Radiologist does is to ask a teacher or family member to set up a visit for you at a local hospital. There, you can see for yourself what Radiologists do and ask any questions you like.

When you are in high school, you can consider doing volunteer work at a nearby hospital. It is a nice item to have on your college application.

revised -- December, 1999
revised -- December, 2002