A high school diploma is the first achievement that must be reached in your pursuit of becoming a doctor. During your high school years you will want to focus on getting good grades, doing well on your SATs, and volunteering in the heath care community (such as your local hospital Red Cross). These will all help you get into the best possible undergraduate college program, which is the next step.
When applying for colleges to obtain your undergraduate (Bachelors) degree, consider applying to colleges that also have a medical school in them. This will increase your chances from the start of getting into that school.
Start a degree program with an emphasis on pre-medical sciences, your school' s counselor should be able to help you select one. Many of the same tips from step 1 apply to your undergraduate degree. Get good grades, volunteer, and be active in extracurricular activities. Like high school, you will be preparing to take another important test, the MCAT. This test is one of several factors medical schools will evaluate to determine your admission t their medical school.
Toward the end of your undergraduate training, you will begin the medical school application process. Talk to your school counselor to help you select what schools you are most competitive to get into and apply for them. There are many good books out there to help you with application process and interviews.
So now you have made it to medical school, the work has only just begun. The first two years you will focus on the basic medical sciences. A lot of studying will be required but make sure to make time for extra-curricular activities such as tutoring, joining medical clubs, or volunteering.
At the end of your first two years you will have to take your first US medical licensing exam (USMLE I). This test is one of the most important factors in determining what residency (future job) you will be able to get as a doctor.
The last two years of your medical school will be spent in clinical rotations at hospitals and clinics. This is where you will begin to learn how to treat actual patients. During this time you will be expected to the learn the medicine that is being practiced but you also want to learn as much as you can about the different fields doctors can choose from.
Also during your last two years you have to take the second past of your licensing exam (USMLE II). Towards the end of your third year of medical school you will also apply for residency positions. Residency is required of all doctors and this is where you will choose your specific field of medicine that you want to practice in.
After graduation from medical school (you are now a doctor from this point forward) you will begin your residency training. This can last from 3-7+ years depending on your chosen specialty. During this time you will also be expected to take the final portion of your medical licensing exam (USMLE III).
At the end of residency you will be fully certified to practice on your own without supervision!!