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What is the best path to take to become a neurosurgeon?

I am a 9th grade student at T.F. Riggs High, and I was wondering what is the best path to take to become a neurosurgeon. Becoming a neurosurgeon is my ultimate goal, and I'm curious on where to start, and what first steps I should take to start my goal. #doctor #medicine #hospital-and-health-care #surgery

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Rachel’s Answer

Neurosurgery is a great field requiring a medical doctorate. This means that you will have to complete college with a bachelor’s degree as well as all of the Pre-med requirements. GPA should probably be at least a 3.5, but preferably >3.8. You will also have to score well on the MCAT. Once accepted to medical school, you will need to be at the top of your class and perform very well on the STEP I test to secure a neurosurgery residency. It is a very competitive field and will also require a substantial amount of research during medical school.
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Kelly’s Answer

Wesley,
Being a neurosurgeon is a wonderful goal. You will be helping people who have had strokes, head trauma caused from some accidents or maybe even do spinal surgeries.
To start you should learn and be proficient in biology, chemistry and mathematics. Maintain a high GPA in high school to make yourself a great college candidate. In college you might consider majoring in biology, biochemistry or zoology. Make top grades and then apply to medical school. Make yourself a standout academically so you can apply to a residency in neurosurgery after Med school ..they are very particular about who they will accept.. Its a long time to study but well worth the effort . Blessings and enjoy the journey.

Kelly recommends the following next steps:

Learn biology , chemistry and mathematics
Apply to college
Major in Biology, Chemistry or Zoology
Apply to Medical School
Make top grades to get Neurosurgery Residency
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Richard’s Answer

Take as many AP or IB courses in high school. You have a lot of years of education in front of you and getting college credit in high school can save you time and money.


In the US, to apply to medical school, you need a bachelor's degree. Any 4-year university should suffice.

Pick a major that interests you so you don't mind devoting a majority of your hours to studying. You will need to get good grades in college in order to apply for medical school. At the medical school I attended, the average GPA is reported to be 3.85, so even one or two B's can hurt your chances of acceptance.

Aside from this, any major is acceptable as long as you complete the prerequisite courses.

Typical medical school prerequisites include:
Biology: Lecture – 4 semesters; Lab – 1 semester
General Chemistry: Lecture – 2 semesters; Lab – 1 semester
Organic Chemistry: Lecture – 2 semesters; Lab – 1 semester
Biochemistry: Lecture – 1 semester
General Physics: Lecture – 2 semesters; Lab – 1 semester
Math: Statistics – 1 semester
English: Rhetoric (Composition) and Literature – 2 semesters

Try to find opportunities to pursue research.

Volunteer at your local hospital or low-income clinic. Ask physicians, PAs or other clinical providers if you can shadow them.


During college study for and complete the MCAT. Devote an entire summer to studying for the MCAT and consider paying for a prep course if you can afford it.

My son used MCAT Complete 7-Book Subject Review 2019-2020: Online + Book + 3 Practice Tests (Kaplan Test Prep) Kaplan Test Prep
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It was about $140 and he achieved his goal score.



Apply to medical schools during your last year of college.

Medical school takes 4 years to complete.

After medical school neurosurgeons complete a 6 year residency for additional training.
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