Should I be a Dermatologist?

I am really interested in the field, but I heard you need a minimum of 13 years of study. Is their any way you can shorten the amount of study? I am an average student with a 3.5 gpa and 2 honors courses in English and Math. I am a senior taking Eng comp 1 and 2 H and Calculus H and Physics. What studies would I have to do during my freshman year in College? Do you think I am capable of becoming a dermatologist?Should I be a Dermatologist?
While you can major in anything, it is best to take Biology and/or Chemistry in college. There is also a general core of knowledge, and you would take those as well (English, history, social sciences, mathematics, etc.). Then, you take four years of medical school. There are 3/3 programs if you are exceptional in sciences (three years UG and three years of medical school), but there are only a few slots there. After medical school, you would do one year of intern and then 2-3 years of residency (working in a dermatology clinic at a teaching hospital, usually) before you go out on your own. Yes, it's lot of study.





The other option is to be a physician's assistant:





Physician assistants (PAs) practice medicine under the supervision of physicians and surgeons. They should not be confused with Medical assistants, who perform routine clinical and clerical tasks. PAs are formally trained to provide diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive health care services, as delegated by a physician. Working as members of the health care team, they take medical histories, examine and treat patients, order and interpret laboratory tests and x rays, and make diagnoses. They also treat minor injuries, by suturing, splinting, and casting. PAs record progress notes, instruct and counsel patients, and order or carry out therapy. In 48 States and the District of Columbia, physician assistants may prescribe some medications.





Finally, there are nurse practitioners, which are RNs with specialized experience who operate a bit like PAs. That would be four years of nursing school plus another year of specialized study.