Career Overview: Roles and Responsibilities of a Physician or Surgeon
Physicians and surgeons are licensed medical professionals (MD or DO) who diagnose and treat injuries and illnesses while also providing preventive care and health maintenance counseling. They take comprehensive medical histories, perform physical examinations, and order and interpret diagnostic tests such as laboratory studies and imaging. Physicians develop, implement, and adjust treatment plans that may include medications, procedures, and lifestyle interventions, while coordinating appropriate follow-up care. They communicate clearly with patients and families about diagnoses, treatment options, and associated risks and benefits, supporting shared decision-making. Physicians collaborate with the interdisciplinary healthcare team, which could include nurses, pharmacists, therapists, and social workers. This ensures coordinated, patient-centered care and allows for referrals when specialized services are needed. They document care thoroughly and adhere to safety, quality, and ethical standards. Depending on their specialty and practice setting, physicians may perform procedures, manage hospitalized patients, respond to emergencies, and oversee chronic disease management. Many also contribute to teaching, research, quality improvement initiatives, administration, advocacy, and community health efforts.
Medical school is the graduate professional education that prepares students to become physicians. In the United States, medical schools award either the Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree. Both degrees lead to physician licensure and entry into residency training; DO programs additionally emphasize osteopathic principles and practice and may include training in osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT).
- Inpatient hospital units
- Emergency departments
- Operating rooms and surgical centers
- Labor and delivery units
- Private practice (solo or group)
- Multispecialty clinics
- Community health centers
- Urgent care centers
- Residency and fellowship training programs
- Public health departments
- Oncology centers
- Pain management clinics
- Sports medicine facilities
- Concierge or direct primary care practices
- Telemedicine/virtual care platforms
- Correctional facilities
(After earning a MD or DO)
- Internal Medicine
- Family Medicine
- Pediatrics
- General Surgery
- Emergency Medicine
- Psychiatry
- Anesthesiology
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- And many more
- Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC)
- American Medical Association (AMA)
- American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM)
- American Osteopathic Association (AOA)
Most medical schools require or strongly recommend:
- General Biology – 2 semesters with the labs
- General chemistry – 2 semesters with the labs
- Organic chemistry – 2 semesters with the labs
- General Physics – 2 semesters with the labs
- Biochemistry – Certain courses will require Microbiology as a pre-requisite
- English/writing – Often 1-2 semesters
- Math Courses – Requirements may vary
Statistics – Commonly recommended
Calculus - Behavioral/Social sciences – Helpful for MCAT
General Psychology
General Sociology
Additional Recommendations
- Genetics
- Cell Biology
- Physiology
- Microbiology
- Humanities/social sciences
Coursework varies by school. Always verify specific requirements on each program’s website.
The MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) is a standardized exam required by nearly all U.S. MD and DO programs as part of the medical school admissions process. The test is a discipline-specific exam to assess critical thinking, problem-solving, and foundational knowledge in the sciences and behavioral sciences that are important for success in medical education.
The MCAT consists of four multiple-choice sections: Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems, Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS), Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems, and Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior. Each section is scored on a scale from 118 to 132, resulting in a total score ranging from 472 to 528. Medical schools review both the overall score and the individual section scores when evaluating applicants. Policies regarding acceptable testing dates and the number of attempts may vary by program.
Please note, these are not endorsements: Choose the program that best fits your learning style, needs, and budget.
The AAMC PREview (Professional Readiness Exam) is a situational judgment test used by some MD programs as part of the medical school admissions process. The exam is designed to evaluate professional competencies by presenting applicants with scenarios that assess judgment, ethical decision-making, and professional behavior. Rather than testing scientific knowledge, the PREview exam focuses on how applicants evaluate and respond to situations that may arise in medical training and clinical practice.
Some medical schools require or recommend the PREview exam, while others may use alternative assessments such as CASPer to evaluate similar qualities.
CASPer is an open-response, situational judgment assessment designed to evaluate your soft skills, like professionalism, ethics, and decision-making skills rather than specific science knowledge. Test takers may be required to answer via written or recorded responses. With this evaluation, there are no right or wrong answers, but rather it serves as a way for raters to understand an applicant’s behavioral tendencies.
Because requirements vary by program, applicants should review each school’s admissions policies to determine whether these assessments are required.
Application for MDs: American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS)
Learn more about the AMCAS application
- Create an AMCAS account
Once you create your account you will be able to select schools to apply to. This application will include biographic info, coursework, personal statement, activities, letters, and official transcripts - Submit your AMCAS application: many schools use rolling admissions (earlier completion can help)
- AMCAS verifies coursework and GPAs after transcripts are received; verification can take several weeks during peak season, so be sure to plan and submit your application accordingly.
- Once the application is received by schools, many will send secondary applications
This application may include school-specific essays, additional fees, and additional questions - Schools will review applications and invite selected candidates to interview
Interview formats may vary -- traditional, MMI, virtual/in-person - Schools will send out admissions decisions: accept, waitlist/alternate list, or reject
Applications for DOs: American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS)
- Create your AACOMAS account
Once you create your account, you will be able to select schools to apply to. This application will include courses, activities, personal statement, letters, and transcripts - Submit your AACOMAS application
- AACOMAS verifies your application and transmits it to the schools you designate; schools may then request secondary/supplemental materials.
- Interview invitations and offers of admission are school-specific
Important to note: DO programs also follow AACOMAS traffic guidelines for deposits and timelines.
Research Programs: Create a list of programs and review their individual requirements for prerequisite courses, healthcare experience hours, testing (MCAT), and letters of recommendation.
Obtain Direct Patient Care Hours: These hours are recommended for medical school admissions and may vary widely in minimum required hours and in which roles count, so be sure to research and confirm for each program. Common ways to earn direct patient care hours include working in roles which may require an additional certification: Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Medical Assistant (MA), Phlebotomy Technician, Paramedic, Patient Care Technician (PCT), Physical Therapy Aide.
Typical Expectations
- Recommended 200-50+ of direct patient care hours
- Be open to working in other settings besides hospitals to increase your chances of obtaining a position
Obtain Shadowing/Observation Hours: Shadowing helps you understand the general organization and structure of a day in the healthcare field. Shadowing a Physician specifically can help introduce you to the role of an MD/DO and their scope of practice. Most programs expect at least some shadowing of a physician specifically, but shadowing of other clinicians may also be accepted.
Typical Expectations
- Recommended 100-150+ shadowing hours
- Try to gain experience in multiple specialties (primary care, surgery, emergency medicine, etc.)
- Prioritize shadowing a MD/DO, but consider also shadowing PAs, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, or other healthcare professionals to broaden your perspective
Be sure to accurately document and organize all your hours by listing the type of experience, with whom you shadowed, their contact information, and a small reflection of your experience.
Gain Research Experience: While not explicitly required, research can be an additional way to show your engagement with medicine.
For many applicants, research helps show that they can analyze data, think scientifically, and contribute to the advancement of medical knowledge. These experiences may involve working in laboratory science, clinical research, public health studies, or social science research related to healthcare. Students who participate in research often develop skills in literature review, data collection, statistical analysis, teamwork, and scientific communication. Long-term involvement that leads to presentations, posters, or publications can further strengthen an application, but these outcomes are not required.
Getting Started
- Visit the USC Office of Undergraduate Research for programs, funding, and project listings
- Talk to your professors after class or during office hours about possible openings
- Ask older pre-med students or peer mentors about labs and faculty they’ve worked with
Letters of Recommendation: Most programs require 3, but no more than 5 letters of recommendation.
- 1-2 is/are typically from a science faculty
- 1-2 is/are typically from a non-science/other recommender
- Some schools may require a letter from a DO/MD physician
To obtain meaningful letters, build relationships early by actively participating in class or clinical experiences, seeking feedback, and demonstrating reliability and initiative. When requesting a letter, ask well in advance, provide your resume, your personal statement, and clearly share deadlines and submission instructions. Thoughtful, detailed recommendations from individuals who know you well can significantly strengthen your application by offering credible, personalized perspectives on your strengths and potential.