High school might feel early, but it is a very real starting point for deciding whether medicine is the right direction. To support students and families at this stage, International Medical Aid has launched an ongoing High School Path to Medicine series, featuring specialty-specific guides for future health professionals.
The first set in this series features five core specialties: neurosurgery, obstetrics and gynecology, emergency medicine, orthopedics and sports medicine, and pediatrics. More specialties and related resources will be added over time, allowing students to return as their interests evolve.
Each guide explains what doctors in that field actually do, how long the training path takes from high school onward, and what motivated high school students can start doing now to move in that direction.
The High School Path to Medicine Series
Our first set of specialty guides includes:
High School Path to Neurosurgery – High-Risk Surgery, Long Training, Cutting-Edge Research
Get a realistic introduction to one of the most demanding careers in medicine, including the day-to-day work of neurosurgeons, the length of training, and what kind of student tends to thrive in this field.
High School Path to Neurosurgery – High-Risk Surgery, Long Training, Cutting-Edge Research.
High School Path to Medicine: OB/GYN (Obstetrics & Gynecology)
This guide covers pregnancy, childbirth, and women’s health, from clinic visits to delivery rooms, and breaks down how OB/GYNs balance medical, surgical, and long-term patient care.
High School Path to Medicine: OB/GYN (Obstetrics & Gynecology).
High School Path to Medicine: Emergency Medicine – Life in the ER for Future Doctors
See what life in the emergency department looks like, including shift work, acute decision-making, and the skills that matter most when every minute counts.
High School Path to Medicine: Emergency Medicine.
High School Students Path to Orthopedics, Sports Medicine, and Physical Therapy
Focus on bones, joints, sports injuries, and recovery. This guide explains how orthopedic surgeons, sports medicine physicians, and physical therapists each play different roles in helping people move without pain.
High School Students Path to Orthopedics, Sports Medicine, and Physical Therapy.
So You Want to Be a Pediatrician? A High School Student’s Guide
Learn what it means to care for children and teens, from routine checkups to complex medical needs, and what kind of temperament suits pediatrics.
So You Want to Be a Pediatrician? A High School Student’s Guide.
Across the series, readers will find:
- What work in that specialty can look like in real life.
- How long the training path is and key milestones along the way.
- Examples of steps motivated high school students can start taking now.
New specialties and related articles will continue to be added as part of the High School Path to Medicine series, so students and parents can build on what they learn here.
For High School Students
If you are a high school student, this series is meant to give you clear, honest information so you can start sorting out what feels right for you.
Pick the specialty that interests you most and read that guide first. After you finish, write down three things:
- What surprised you about the work?
- What sounds exciting?
- What sounds hard but is still possible for you with effort and support.
Bring that list to a school counselor, advisor, teacher, or parent and talk about next steps. Depending on your age and situation, those steps might include:
- Choosing classes that build a stronger foundation in science and math.
- Looking into local volunteering or shadowing opportunities when available.
- Planning for a supervised internship or structured program when the timing and readiness are right.
If you want to see what a structured, supervised experience can look like, review High School Internships With International Medical Aid.
When you are ready to be considered for a future cohort, you can submit an application.
For Parents and Guardians of High School Students
If you are a parent or guardian, these guides are built to make serious conversations about future careers more concrete. Instead of talking about “being a doctor” in general terms, you and your student can look at specific specialties and compare them.
A simple way to use the series together:
- Ask your student to select one or two guides that align with their interests.
- Read the same guides on your own time.
- Set aside 20–30 minutes to talk through what stood out, what worries you both, and what seems realistic.
These guides can help you:
- See whether your student is more drawn to surgery, primary care, hospital-based practice, or sports and movement.
- Discuss the academic path from high school to college and beyond, so key steps do not sneak up later.
- Decide whether a supervised high school internship, either at home or abroad, makes sense in the next one to two years.
To see what structured experience can look like, including safety, supervision, and housing, review High School Internships With International Medical Aid.
You may also find these additional resources helpful as you think through next steps with your student:
(Your IMA advising team can direct you to the latest versions and links for each resource.)
Why This Series Matters Now
Many students say they want to be “a doctor,” but they rarely have a detailed picture of what different medical careers involve. The earlier students start to understand the reality of these roles, the easier it is to:
- Choose classes and activities that actually support their goals.
- Avoid making rushed decisions during the college application process.
- Match their strengths and interests with specialties that better suit them.
The High School Path to Medicine series is not about locking students into one specialty in high school. It is an ongoing project aimed at providing them with accurate information to rule out some paths, stay open to others, and move forward with better questions as new guides are released.
Priority timelines are open for IMA Winter 2025 and Summer 2026 high school cohorts. If these guides confirm that healthcare might be the right direction for your family, this is a good time to start planning and, when ready, submit an application.
