2 answers
Aaliyah
Student
Orangeburg, South Carolina
2
Questions
Asked
268 views
What is the pathway to be an Anesthesiologist?
What classes in high school and college should I take to become an Anesthesiologist
Login to comment
2 answers
Brett Schlifstein
Anesthesiologist
15
Answers
Pittsboro, North Carolina
Updated
Brett’s Answer
Hi Aaliyah,
As a practicing anesthesiologist for over 30 years, I feel uniquely qualified to answer this question. It seems as if Michael Torio has done most of the work for me - thank you Michael. I just want to add a few comments of my own.
I think that if I read the above answer when I was in high school, I would have felt overwhelmed and given up. My somewhat overly simplified suggestion is this - take it one step at a time. If you're in high school, there's no need to worry about your MCATs because you can't take the exam for years. So concentrate on the present - in high school this means taking a rigorous academic schedule, getting good grades, scoring well on standardized tests, and being involved in extra-curricular activities that interest you. I strongly recommend volunteering at your local hospital as a way to see physicians at work. However, it is unlikely as a high school student, that you would be able to observe an anesthesiologist, but you never know!
You can find ranking lists on just about anything these days, and some schools are better than others. Each one has its relative strengths and weaknesses. I believe that all U.S. accreditied medical schools are quite competitive and will offer you a good education. Likewise, any U.S. accredited anesthesiology residency programs will give you good training for your future career. The important part is to find a school/residency program that works for you.
I hope this helps, and I wish you the best of luck on your journey. I will be retiring sometime in the next decade, and will need people like you to replace me!
Brett Schlifstein, M.D.
Anesthesia Director
ECU Health Roanoke-Chowan Hospital
As a practicing anesthesiologist for over 30 years, I feel uniquely qualified to answer this question. It seems as if Michael Torio has done most of the work for me - thank you Michael. I just want to add a few comments of my own.
I think that if I read the above answer when I was in high school, I would have felt overwhelmed and given up. My somewhat overly simplified suggestion is this - take it one step at a time. If you're in high school, there's no need to worry about your MCATs because you can't take the exam for years. So concentrate on the present - in high school this means taking a rigorous academic schedule, getting good grades, scoring well on standardized tests, and being involved in extra-curricular activities that interest you. I strongly recommend volunteering at your local hospital as a way to see physicians at work. However, it is unlikely as a high school student, that you would be able to observe an anesthesiologist, but you never know!
You can find ranking lists on just about anything these days, and some schools are better than others. Each one has its relative strengths and weaknesses. I believe that all U.S. accreditied medical schools are quite competitive and will offer you a good education. Likewise, any U.S. accredited anesthesiology residency programs will give you good training for your future career. The important part is to find a school/residency program that works for you.
I hope this helps, and I wish you the best of luck on your journey. I will be retiring sometime in the next decade, and will need people like you to replace me!
Brett Schlifstein, M.D.
Anesthesia Director
ECU Health Roanoke-Chowan Hospital
Michael Torio
Consultant - Data Reporting & Analysis (HQ Finance)
340
Answers
Alpharetta, Georgia
Updated
Michael’s Answer
Hi Aaliyah:
The educational pathway to become an Anesthesiologist will require a Bachelor Degree which takes 4 years to complete. Then, medical school will be 4 years. Anesthesiology residency and licensure will follow thereafter. In total, it can take 12-15 years to become an Anesthesiologist.
While in high school, one will need to focus on science and math classes to prepare for a career in Anesthesiology. Physics, chemistry and biology will be the core science courses. For math, algebra, geometry and statistics will be needed. Other classes to take will be anatomy, physiology, computer applications and food and nutrition. The combination of these concentrations will enable you to focus and refine your analytical skills for research; complex problem solving; investigative and innovative critical thinking; attention to detail; etc.
Other skills that will need to be built upon center around team building, team work and communication. In any work culture, collaboration among team members, staff and partner departments occur on a daily basis. As an Anesthesiologist, communication is essential and critical when dealing with patients, medical personnel and other hospital staff. A college course in public speaking, communications and English will help with one's communication and writing skills. While in high school, the debate team will provide the opportunity to sharpen communication skills which are backed with research and factual data and information.
According to U.S. News & World Report, here are the top colleges and universities to consider for Anesthesiology:
https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-medical-schools/anesthesiology-rankings
- Harvard University
- John Hopkins University
- Duke University
- University of California - San Francisco
- Columbia University
- Stanford University
- University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
- University of Pennsylvania - Perelman
- University of California - Los Angeles (Geffen)
- Washington University in St. Louis
- Mayo Clinic School of Medicine (Alix)
- Vanderbilt University
When reviewing colleges and universities, it is best to check the following:
- In-State vs Out of State Tuition
- Internships
- Scholarships
- Career Placement upon graduation
- Course work and offered classes
- Post-Graduate Degrees - Master and Doctoral
There will be a application fee to pay for when submitting college applications. The amount of application fee will depend on the college that you are applying to. If there are questions about the college application process, please reach out to the college's Registrar Office.
College and scholarship applications can start to be submitted during your Junior year and will continue throughout your Senior year in high school. It is best to ask your Academic Advisor/School Counselor on the timeline process as well. College and scholarship applications will have specific deadlines and requirements to meet in order to be submitted for review and consideration.
You may want to start to compile your resume/portfolio since a majority of college and scholarship applications will require academic grade point average (GPA), academic accomplishments, school activities (clubs, sports, etc.), community involvement (volunteer, church, etc.), academic and personal recommendations, etc. There may be essay requirements on why you are a qualified candidate to receive the scholarship and to gain entry to the college of your choice, what your future goals are academically and professionally and other questions centering around who you are, your beliefs, etc.
Here are a couple of links for College Scholarships:
https://www.mometrix.com/blog/scholarships-for-college/
https://www.nchchonors.org/students/awards-scholarships/national-scholarships
Also, it will be best to check with the colleges and universities that you will be applying to. You can check with the School/Department of your desired major, the Campus Career Center and the Register's Office for additional information for college scholarships and grants and specific requirements for qualifications.
There should be no limit on the amount of scholarships that one can apply to. It will take time to fill out the scholarship applications and provide all of the necessary required information. Also, there should no fee and no cost to fill out and submit scholarship applications. If there is a fee or cost that is associated with a scholarship application, then please do not send this particular scholarship application in. It will be a scam and money will be lost.
Hope this helps and best wishes for your education and career in Anesthesiology!
The educational pathway to become an Anesthesiologist will require a Bachelor Degree which takes 4 years to complete. Then, medical school will be 4 years. Anesthesiology residency and licensure will follow thereafter. In total, it can take 12-15 years to become an Anesthesiologist.
While in high school, one will need to focus on science and math classes to prepare for a career in Anesthesiology. Physics, chemistry and biology will be the core science courses. For math, algebra, geometry and statistics will be needed. Other classes to take will be anatomy, physiology, computer applications and food and nutrition. The combination of these concentrations will enable you to focus and refine your analytical skills for research; complex problem solving; investigative and innovative critical thinking; attention to detail; etc.
Other skills that will need to be built upon center around team building, team work and communication. In any work culture, collaboration among team members, staff and partner departments occur on a daily basis. As an Anesthesiologist, communication is essential and critical when dealing with patients, medical personnel and other hospital staff. A college course in public speaking, communications and English will help with one's communication and writing skills. While in high school, the debate team will provide the opportunity to sharpen communication skills which are backed with research and factual data and information.
According to U.S. News & World Report, here are the top colleges and universities to consider for Anesthesiology:
https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-medical-schools/anesthesiology-rankings
- Harvard University
- John Hopkins University
- Duke University
- University of California - San Francisco
- Columbia University
- Stanford University
- University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
- University of Pennsylvania - Perelman
- University of California - Los Angeles (Geffen)
- Washington University in St. Louis
- Mayo Clinic School of Medicine (Alix)
- Vanderbilt University
When reviewing colleges and universities, it is best to check the following:
- In-State vs Out of State Tuition
- Internships
- Scholarships
- Career Placement upon graduation
- Course work and offered classes
- Post-Graduate Degrees - Master and Doctoral
There will be a application fee to pay for when submitting college applications. The amount of application fee will depend on the college that you are applying to. If there are questions about the college application process, please reach out to the college's Registrar Office.
College and scholarship applications can start to be submitted during your Junior year and will continue throughout your Senior year in high school. It is best to ask your Academic Advisor/School Counselor on the timeline process as well. College and scholarship applications will have specific deadlines and requirements to meet in order to be submitted for review and consideration.
You may want to start to compile your resume/portfolio since a majority of college and scholarship applications will require academic grade point average (GPA), academic accomplishments, school activities (clubs, sports, etc.), community involvement (volunteer, church, etc.), academic and personal recommendations, etc. There may be essay requirements on why you are a qualified candidate to receive the scholarship and to gain entry to the college of your choice, what your future goals are academically and professionally and other questions centering around who you are, your beliefs, etc.
Here are a couple of links for College Scholarships:
https://www.mometrix.com/blog/scholarships-for-college/
https://www.nchchonors.org/students/awards-scholarships/national-scholarships
Also, it will be best to check with the colleges and universities that you will be applying to. You can check with the School/Department of your desired major, the Campus Career Center and the Register's Office for additional information for college scholarships and grants and specific requirements for qualifications.
There should be no limit on the amount of scholarships that one can apply to. It will take time to fill out the scholarship applications and provide all of the necessary required information. Also, there should no fee and no cost to fill out and submit scholarship applications. If there is a fee or cost that is associated with a scholarship application, then please do not send this particular scholarship application in. It will be a scam and money will be lost.
Hope this helps and best wishes for your education and career in Anesthesiology!