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What do I need to do to become a surgeon?
I'm in highschool and I love biology and dissecting things, I think being a surgeon might be right for me #medicine #surgeon #biology
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Suzanne’s Answer
Gaby, you may, indeed, have found your calling. To become a surgeon it's important to love biology, especially anatomy and have excellent eye/hand coordination. It's also important to really want to apply those skills to helping people and to be interested in developing your "people skills", as well.
To become a surgeon you will need to take college-prep classes in high school, including as many science classes as your school offers, including chemistry and math through at least trigonometry. If your school offers advanced biology, do take that, too! Be sure the guidance counselors and teachers know of your career goals. If you can take AP or honors classes or even community college classes while still in high school that would be helpful, too. Also be sure to take English every year and hopefully a second language also.
In college you can major in anything that interests you. Perhaps you might enjoy majoring in biology, as I did. The important thing is to take and do well in all the required "pre-med" classes required to be admitted to medical school. Typically this means a year of biology with labs, inorganic and organic chemistry, physics and calculus. Towards the end of college you take the MCAT (Medical college admission test). Be sure in college to connect with the pre-med advisor as soon as you get there so you can be directed to take the correct required courses. College is typically four years to get your bachelor's degree. The next step is medical school which again is typically four years. Then you are a doctor!
After medical school, if surgery is still what you want to do you will do a "residency" in general surgery. Typically this is five years. It's a long haul but may well be worth it if your love of biology, hands-on skills and desire to help people is strong.
Check out this website from the American Association of Medical colleges: https://students-residents.aamc.org/deciding-if-medicine-you/deciding-if-medicine-you
There may be other options you'd also like to consider such as getting a PhD in anatomy.
To become a surgeon you will need to take college-prep classes in high school, including as many science classes as your school offers, including chemistry and math through at least trigonometry. If your school offers advanced biology, do take that, too! Be sure the guidance counselors and teachers know of your career goals. If you can take AP or honors classes or even community college classes while still in high school that would be helpful, too. Also be sure to take English every year and hopefully a second language also.
In college you can major in anything that interests you. Perhaps you might enjoy majoring in biology, as I did. The important thing is to take and do well in all the required "pre-med" classes required to be admitted to medical school. Typically this means a year of biology with labs, inorganic and organic chemistry, physics and calculus. Towards the end of college you take the MCAT (Medical college admission test). Be sure in college to connect with the pre-med advisor as soon as you get there so you can be directed to take the correct required courses. College is typically four years to get your bachelor's degree. The next step is medical school which again is typically four years. Then you are a doctor!
After medical school, if surgery is still what you want to do you will do a "residency" in general surgery. Typically this is five years. It's a long haul but may well be worth it if your love of biology, hands-on skills and desire to help people is strong.
Suzanne recommends the following next steps:
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Sharon’s Answer
I agree with Dr. Sorkin above. I recently graduated from general surgery residency, and I can tell you it is a long road. You have to be willing to work long hours, be on your feet all day, and have tough skin because some of the people you work with won't always be the nicest. You don't have set lunch breaks, you are often tired and not sleeping enough, and you will not always be in the operating room during training. But if you are willing to work hard and know this is what you want in the end, than it will be worth it.
As a high school student, focus on doing your best on your science and math classes and getting into a good college. Once in college, focus on premed courses. If you have anatomy and physiology as an option, definitely take that. A surgeon needs to be very comfortable with anatomy. But most importantly, start exploring your options. Volunteer in hospitals, reach out to doctors to shadow them, and or consider getting EMT training to work on an ambulance. If you have an opportunity to see a surgery, take advantage of it. However, I will say its hard to get into the OR if you aren't in med school yet.
Ultimately, its very early, and you may change you mind. That's ok. Instead of surgery, you can be a pathologist and perform autopsies. You can get the PhD in anatomy as Dr. Sorkin suggested, and work in an anatomy lab. You could even become a vet and perform surgeries on animals. There are many possibilities. Good luck!
As a high school student, focus on doing your best on your science and math classes and getting into a good college. Once in college, focus on premed courses. If you have anatomy and physiology as an option, definitely take that. A surgeon needs to be very comfortable with anatomy. But most importantly, start exploring your options. Volunteer in hospitals, reach out to doctors to shadow them, and or consider getting EMT training to work on an ambulance. If you have an opportunity to see a surgery, take advantage of it. However, I will say its hard to get into the OR if you aren't in med school yet.
Ultimately, its very early, and you may change you mind. That's ok. Instead of surgery, you can be a pathologist and perform autopsies. You can get the PhD in anatomy as Dr. Sorkin suggested, and work in an anatomy lab. You could even become a vet and perform surgeries on animals. There are many possibilities. Good luck!