3 answers
Yareli
Student
Le Grand, CA
13
Questions
Asked
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What are some majors to, to become an orthopedic surgeon ?
Need help figuring out the best majors for this career pathway
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3 answers
Natasha Putter, PA-C
physician assistant
1
Answer
Brea, California
Updated
Natasha’s Answer
HI Yareli!
There is no "best" major to become an ortho surgeon. Major in something that you love and will excel in! Of course you see most medical students with a biology or chemistry background, however that is changing! I know physicians who have majored in music, English, etc you name it. I majored in anthropology and still went into medicine. What matters is that you choose something you love, and will do well in. You just need to take the prerequisites courses that is needed for med school.
There is no "best" major to become an ortho surgeon. Major in something that you love and will excel in! Of course you see most medical students with a biology or chemistry background, however that is changing! I know physicians who have majored in music, English, etc you name it. I majored in anthropology and still went into medicine. What matters is that you choose something you love, and will do well in. You just need to take the prerequisites courses that is needed for med school.
Kess French
Medical Student
109
Answers
Updated
Kess’s Answer
Hi Yareli!
Great question! You'll need to complete medical school to become a surgeon then residency. Here is the general breakdown:
1. Complete high school
2. Research what college you want to go to for your bachelor's degree. Most medical schools will consider any degree as long as you've completed the prerequisites for the med school. You might want to consider an undergrad degree in something like Sports Physiology, Anatomy, BioMedical Science, or others. Make sure to take some classes that you enjoy as well! Med schools want to see well-rounded applicants with passions outside of medicine, not someone who just checked the boxes.
(I have a bachelor's in biomedical science with minors in chemistry and sociology, and my friends in medical school have English, Russian history, and Psychology degrees.)
3. Take as many classes as you can for your degree at your community college to save money (but make sure they transfer to a university)! Apply for financial aid through FAFSA. Some community colleges have programs to get you from that community college and into a nearby university.
4. Apply for and graduate with at least a bachelor's degree.
5. Prepare for and take the MCAT (medical college admissions test).
6. Prepare for and apply to medical schools (both MD (medical doctor) and DO (doctor of osteopathic medicine) can become orthopedic surgeons). If you are really interested in foot or ankle surgery, consider becoming a podiatrist-surgeon.
7. Complete 4 years of medical school (the first 2 years are book learning, second two years are clinical rotations). Licensing exams are done after the 2nd year of medical school and another after the 3rd year. Then the 3rd one is done during residency. I am unsure of how podiatrists do their licensing.
8. Apply for and attend the orthopedic surgery residency - another 4 years of training. (Take your 3rd major exam here.) If you really want, you can then pursue a fellowship to advance your knowledge of a specific area; this is usually another 1-2 years of training. For example, this would an orthopedic spinal surgeon may take this route.
GOOD LUCK! YOU CAN DO IT!!!
Great question! You'll need to complete medical school to become a surgeon then residency. Here is the general breakdown:
1. Complete high school
2. Research what college you want to go to for your bachelor's degree. Most medical schools will consider any degree as long as you've completed the prerequisites for the med school. You might want to consider an undergrad degree in something like Sports Physiology, Anatomy, BioMedical Science, or others. Make sure to take some classes that you enjoy as well! Med schools want to see well-rounded applicants with passions outside of medicine, not someone who just checked the boxes.
(I have a bachelor's in biomedical science with minors in chemistry and sociology, and my friends in medical school have English, Russian history, and Psychology degrees.)
3. Take as many classes as you can for your degree at your community college to save money (but make sure they transfer to a university)! Apply for financial aid through FAFSA. Some community colleges have programs to get you from that community college and into a nearby university.
4. Apply for and graduate with at least a bachelor's degree.
5. Prepare for and take the MCAT (medical college admissions test).
6. Prepare for and apply to medical schools (both MD (medical doctor) and DO (doctor of osteopathic medicine) can become orthopedic surgeons). If you are really interested in foot or ankle surgery, consider becoming a podiatrist-surgeon.
7. Complete 4 years of medical school (the first 2 years are book learning, second two years are clinical rotations). Licensing exams are done after the 2nd year of medical school and another after the 3rd year. Then the 3rd one is done during residency. I am unsure of how podiatrists do their licensing.
8. Apply for and attend the orthopedic surgery residency - another 4 years of training. (Take your 3rd major exam here.) If you really want, you can then pursue a fellowship to advance your knowledge of a specific area; this is usually another 1-2 years of training. For example, this would an orthopedic spinal surgeon may take this route.
GOOD LUCK! YOU CAN DO IT!!!
Erik Deede
Emergency Physician
5
Answers
Sudbury, Massachusetts
Updated
Erik’s Answer
I agree with Natasha. Traditionally pre-med students majored in sciences, but medical schools are recognizing the value in "alternative" majors such as English, music and other liberal arts. They want well-rounded people who relate to patients well, rather than pure scientists who have excellent knowledge but don't know how to manage people. There is a lot of science in medicine, but also "the art of medicine" which involves managing real people and their fears, concerns and expectations. You can provide the most scientifically proven treatment, but if the patient doesn't feel you listened to them and understood their concerns, they won't feel better. Whatever you major in, you will need to take prerequisite science classes for medical school- biology, chemistry, organic chemistry and physics.
Good luck!
Good luck!