How to choose classes to take in high school for medical field careers
For many students, the path to a career starts in high school. As students increasingly identify at an early stage the fields they want to enter, they naturally want to know which high school classes will best prepare them for their chosen field. Students looking to pursue a pre-med major for a future career in the medical field can benefit from taking medical classes in high school.
eAchieve Academy offers a large selection of online high school classes with free tuition for Wisconsin residents under 21. We have highly experienced instructors and provide career-planning resources to help our students meet their academic and career goals. Motivated students who have identified the healthcare or medical field at an early stage can benefit immensely from the guidance and recommended medical classes in high school offered at eAchieve Academy.
How to Become a Doctor in Wisconsin
If you’re interested in pursuing a career in medicine and becoming a doctor in Wisconsin, eAchieve Online K-12 School can provide a solid foundation for your education. To become a doctor, you’ll need to complete a bachelor’s degree, earn a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree, and pass the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). At eAchieve, we offer a wide range of challenging courses, including advanced science and math classes, to help prepare you for the rigors of a pre-med program in college. Additionally, we provide guidance and resources to help you navigate the college admissions process and gain acceptance to medical school. Our experienced faculty and personalized attention can help you develop the critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills necessary for success in the medical field. If you’re ready to pursue your dream of becoming a doctor, eAchieve can help you get there. Learn more about how our free online school for Wisconsin students works, or view info on enrollment.
Preparing For Your Career
Medical school admissions officers don’t just look at your class transcript. Volunteering at a local clinic or hospital and gaining experience in working with patients is a great way to impress both medical school and undergraduate admissions boards. Volunteering also signals that you’re a caring person with a true desire to help others.
Being able to speak at least one language other than English is another way to stand out when applying to schools or jobs in the medical field. eAchieve offers a variety of world language courses for beginners all the way through AP-level foreign language classes.
Stand Out To Top Colleges
Our curriculum mirrors the curriculum at other public schools across Wisconsin, so you won’t miss any opportunities to enroll in the recommended classes to take in high school for medical field careers. Students wishing to explore a particular subject in more depth can augment their course load with AP (Advanced Placement) classes or Honors classes—both highly recommended for any student striving for admission to a highly selective university.
Recommended Classes to Take in High School For Medical Field Careers
View Full Course ListScience Courses
Since you’ll be taking multiple chemistry and biology classes in college and med school, building a strong foundation in high school is a good way to prepare. Not only will you have a strong foundation in the sciences, taking all the science classes you can in high school will allow you to take more advanced science courses as an undergraduate.
AP biology, AP chemistry and AP physics are recommended for high school students planning on medical school. If you have room in your schedule, adding more science electives (like anatomy & physiology) are other highly recommended medical classes in high school to take.
Want to work in the medical field, but not necessarily as a doctor? You’ll still need a solid science background, so take the most challenging high school science courses you can handle.
Math Courses
Take the most high-level math classes you can in high school to prepare for the higher-level math incorporated in pre-med science courses.
AP calculus AB/BC are recommended for high schoolers planning on going pre-med. It’s important to have strong math skills going into college so you won’t be overwhelmed by the rigorous pace of your pre-med courses.
The ability to analyze data tables and graphs is also an important skill to master early. You’ll need to be confident interpreting visual data for both college courses and the MCAT.
English Courses
While science and math courses are emphasized for a future career in medicine, the importance of English (and all your courses, really) shouldn’t be overlooked.
Writing and communication skills are vital for any type of advanced education, including medical school (which often has an English requirement).
AP Courses
AP classes not only show college admissions officials you’re pushing yourself academically, they can save you serious money on college tuition if you earn a high enough score on the AP exam at the end of the course.
In addition to AP classes in the subjects listed above, taking advanced courses like AP Psychology and AP foreign language can help you develop valuable people skills for communicating with your future patients and coworkers.
Types of Medical Careers
Doctor
- General practitioner or internist
- Cardiologist
- Immunologist or infectious disease specialist/pathologist
- Anesthesiologist
- Radiologist
- Neurologist
- Surgeon
- Oncologist
- Obstetrician or gynecologist
- Dermatologist
- Sports medicine specialist
- Pediatrician or family physician
- Geriatric specialist
- Hospice caregiver
- Endocrinologist
- Gastroenterologists
- Podiatrist
- Psychiatrist
- Genetic counselor
- Plastic surgeon
- Osteopath
- Allergist/immunologist
- Rheumatologist
- Emergency physician
Physical Therapist
- Physical therapist
- Coach and athletic trainers
- Occupational therapist
- Orthotic and prosthetic trainers
- Midwife
- Chiropractors
Nursing
- Registered Nurse
- Licensed Practical Nurse
- Travel Nurse
- Nurse Practitioner
- Intensive Care Unit Nurse
- Emergency Room Nurse
- Medical-Surgical Nurse
- Operating Room Nurse
- Home Health Nurse
- Neonatal nursing
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Nurse
- Pediatric nursing
- Geriatric nursing
- Nurse Case Manager
- Post-anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) Nurse
- Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Nurse Anesthetist
- Nursing Assistant
Other Medical
- Surgeon
- Dentist
- Dental hygienist
- Orthodontist
- Dermatologist
- Pediatrician
- Pharmacist
- X-Ray technician
- Ultrasound technician
- Sports medicine
- Biomedical engineering
- Psychiatrist
- Clinician
- Geneticist
Anesthesiology
- Anesthesiologist
- Anesthesiologist Assistant (AA)
- Anesthesiologist Technician (AT)
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs)
- Military doctor or nurse
- Emergency room or critical care medicine
- Emergency responder
- Dentistry or dental assistant
Veterinary
- Veterinarian
- Animal trainer
- Veterinary nutritionist
- Animal health inspector
- Animal control officer
- Fish and game warden
- Animal behavior specialist
- Horse trainer or jockey
- Zookeeper
- Wildlife rehabilitator
- Marine biologist
- Farmer
The Benefits of Working in Medical
Industry Growth
Industry Growth
Careers in the medical industry are among some of the most growing fields. There is always a need for great medical care which means the field continues to grow.
Pay & Benefits
Pay & Benefits
Since the healthcare industry is always seeking new workers, the pay is often always better. Medical careers also include great benefits since the job can be very technical.
Stimulating Work
Stimulating Work
As a healthcare professional, you get to have a fast-paced workday with a constantly changing atmosphere, leaving workers feeling fulfilled day to day.
Different Opportunities
Different Opportunities
You can change your mind multiple times before making a final career decision, it's often encouraged to broaden your skills for other specialties.
Helping People
Helping People
Very few careers give people the opportunity to do as much good as the healthcare industry does. Helping others is what motivates most health workers.
Flexible Hours
Flexible Hours
Since hospitals and healthcare centers often provide care 24/7 every day, you can likely schedule your work around your personal life.
Meet Our School Counselors
Enrolling in online school can be a difficult transition for students transferring from traditional brick-and-mortar schools. Students are expected to be more independent and self-disciplined. Virtual education requires a broader skill set than traditional schools. eAchieve Academy gives every student access to counselors throughout their online academic career.
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