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Suzanne’s Answer
Caleb, it is a very exciting goal to want to become a brain surgeon, also called a neurosurgeon. You need to take as many science and math classes in high school as possible so that you are really ready for college. Be sure to let your guidance counselors and teachers know what your goal is. Consider taking AP classes and/or dually enrolling in your local community college. After graduating from high school, you will go to college where you can major in anything that interests you....but you need to take and do well in the "pre-med" classes required for admission to medical school. Be sure to identify yourself as a pre-med student so you can get the advising you need to take the right classes (a year of general chemistry with labs, organic chemistry with lab, physics, math through calculus, biology classes). They will also guide you to how to prepare to take the MCAT (medical college admission test) and how to get clinical and shadowing/volunteer experiences in health care. College is typically four years to get your bachelor's degree.
Then you go to medical school, again typically for four years. After this, if neurosurgery is still your goal, you do a residency in that specialty. During this time you are a practicing doctor, earning a salary, but still getting advanced training. I believe neurosurgery is a seven year program following medical school.
A long process....but for the motivated, hard-working person drawn to that career, an amazing way to be able to help people with your skills.
Then you go to medical school, again typically for four years. After this, if neurosurgery is still your goal, you do a residency in that specialty. During this time you are a practicing doctor, earning a salary, but still getting advanced training. I believe neurosurgery is a seven year program following medical school.
A long process....but for the motivated, hard-working person drawn to that career, an amazing way to be able to help people with your skills.