4 answers
samantha
Student
Rock Hill, South Carolina
1
Question
Asked
536 views
Medical Career?
How long do you have to go to school for a doctor career to be a general surgeon?
Login to comment
4 answers
Kess French
Medical Student
109
Answers
Updated
Kess’s Answer
Hi Samantha!
To become a surgeon, the timeline looks like....
High school (4 years)
Bachelor's degree (4 years)
---Consider doing as many units possible at a local community college and then transferring to a university. Whichever degree you chose, just make sure to knock out the requirements for med school as well. Out of my study group in medical school, I think I'm the only one with a 'premed' degree (biomedical science degree). The others include psychology, Russian history, English and Literature, and a few others.
Medical school, either MD or Do can both do surgery (4 years)
---Take a practice MCAT (medical college admissions test), study, take the actual MCAT, and apply for med school. Applying requires having a written personal statement and numerous applications. Sometimes your university can help you with these steps.
General surgery residency (5 years) and add a few more if you decide to specialize
However, you do get paid as a resident and you don't have to pay for that training.
Consider which degree program is right for you and make sure to get in those medical school requirements!
Take the MCAT, write a personal statement
Apply for and graduate medical school
Keep going! You can do it!!
Become an awesome surgeon!
To become a surgeon, the timeline looks like....
High school (4 years)
Bachelor's degree (4 years)
---Consider doing as many units possible at a local community college and then transferring to a university. Whichever degree you chose, just make sure to knock out the requirements for med school as well. Out of my study group in medical school, I think I'm the only one with a 'premed' degree (biomedical science degree). The others include psychology, Russian history, English and Literature, and a few others.
Medical school, either MD or Do can both do surgery (4 years)
---Take a practice MCAT (medical college admissions test), study, take the actual MCAT, and apply for med school. Applying requires having a written personal statement and numerous applications. Sometimes your university can help you with these steps.
General surgery residency (5 years) and add a few more if you decide to specialize
However, you do get paid as a resident and you don't have to pay for that training.
Kess recommends the following next steps:
Divya Shivakumar
doctor
14
Answers
Hyderabad, Telangana, India
Updated
Divya’s Answer
Hey Samantha! So its a long path to become a surgeon. After high school, you have to do 4 years of pre med, 4 years of med school, take USMLE step, and surgery residency is another 5 years. That is a total of 13 years(if there are no gaps), but trust me it is all gonna be worth it in the end. Hope you found this useful. Good luck! Keep going.
Thank you! I won't to do this career i love to help people and make people better and healthier.
samantha
Thank you so much!
samantha
Dheeraj Nagpal
Physician
8
Answers
Scarsdale, New York
Updated
Dheeraj’s Answer
Let me start by asking a question, why do you want to become a surgeon ?
One of the very accomplished surgeon once told me “ ask yourself if you are ready to die for surgery, if yes then pursue it”
Other people have already answered the time it takes to complete the studies but to work independently as a surgeon it will take another 4 to 5 years.
It is a long process, I would recommend shadowing a surgeon for a few weeks and discuss not only the work but also the reimbursement.
Hope this helps, good luck!
One of the very accomplished surgeon once told me “ ask yourself if you are ready to die for surgery, if yes then pursue it”
Other people have already answered the time it takes to complete the studies but to work independently as a surgeon it will take another 4 to 5 years.
It is a long process, I would recommend shadowing a surgeon for a few weeks and discuss not only the work but also the reimbursement.
Hope this helps, good luck!
Thank you so much, The reason i want to be a surgeon is i don't like seeing people hurt and i don't like not being able to help them. I have always helped my family and my grandparents before they past.
samantha
Rajesh Davda, MD, MBA
Physician
3
Answers
Fremont, California
Updated
Rajesh’s Answer
The timeline for the question has been answered well by other responders. Although great to have a specific goal, the process is very long and lots of things can change this goal. The first question is do I want to be a doctor and why? Next, do I have the persistence to focus on school, grades, and testing in high school and college to go to medical school. Only once in medical school will your heart tell you if you want to be a family doctor or a neurosurgeon. Along the way life will happen such as marriage and children that will also impact your goal. The first step is do I want to be a doctor, how committed am I and what am I willing to sacrifice to reach this goal. Good luck!
Okay, Thank you so much and it is something i really want to do because i love to help and save people.
samantha