How to Become a Surgeon

Being a surgeon is one of the most respected professions around the world. Because other people’s lives are literally in your hands on a daily basis, becoming a surgeon is a long and difficult journey. However, if you are an extremely hard working person and are prepared to handle the rigorous academic curriculum and training, it is possible for you to become a surgeon. Not only will becoming a surgeon allow you to have a positive impact on other people’s lives, but it will also give you a secure financial future.

Requirements

The first requirement for becoming a surgeon is obtaining a BA or BS from a four year university. Contrary to popular belief, students who want to become a surgeon do not have to get a specific degree. Although degrees in biology and chemistry are the most common among future medical school students, you can get into medical school with any kind of undergraduate degree from an accredited four year university.

The next requirement for becoming a surgeon is graduating from medical school. The majority of medical schools require you to complete a four year program before graduating. Your first two years of medical school will be strictly academic, while the second two years will allow you to begin gaining hands on experience.

In addition to four years of undergraduate school and four years of medical school, the next requirement to become a surgeon is successfully completing a residency. The length and type of residency you complete will depend on the type of surgeon that you want to become, but for almost all fields of surgery, you can expect your residency to last between six and eight years.

Finally, depending on the type of surgeon that you are going to become, you will need to obtain at least one medical license and board certification. Your medical license will be obtained during medical school, and board certifications are generally obtained after completing a residency.

Instructions

1. The first step in the path to becoming a surgeon is obtaining a degree from a four year university. If you are still in high school, you should focus on keeping a high GPA, participating in a well-rounded variety of extracurricular activities and applying to as many quality colleges as possible.
2. If you are already in college, although there is not a specific major you need to pursue, there are specific courses that you need to complete (such as biology and organic chemistry). You can find out what courses are required by every medical school by looking at the Medical School Admissions Requirements (commonly called the MSAR). You should be able to purchase this book at your university, and it is also available for purchase online. Additionally, you should also focus on participating in a well-rounded variety of extracurricular activities.
3. During the second half of your time as an undergraduate student, you will need to decide whether or not you are ready to take the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT). If you plan on attending medical school after graduating, you will need to take the test in your third or fourth year as an undergraduate. However, if you are going to wait for a few years to begin medical school, you can also wait to take the MCAT. Regardless of when you decide to take the MCAT, it is an extremely difficult test, so you will need to devote a significant amount of time to preparing for it.
4. Once you have taken the MCAT and received your undergraduate degree (or are getting close to graduating and receiving your degree), you will need to start applying to medical schools. Getting into medical school is an extremely difficult process, so you will want to apply to a wide variety of medical schools. Medical schools will look at your performance as an undergraduate student, MCAT score, letters of recommendation, extracurricular activities, and if you are chosen as a potential medical school student, you will also be required to go through at least one in-person interview.
5. After you are accepted into medical school, you will dedicate your next four years towards graduating from medical school. During medical school, you will need to pass three exams to obtain your medical license. The three part exam is called the United States Medical Licensing Exam. The first part is taken after you complete the first half of medical school, while the other two parts are taken towards the end of medical school.
6. At the end of medical school, you will apply for a surgery residency in the specialty you want to pursue. Since all medical school students follow the same curriculum, you will really not begin to become a surgeon until you start your residency.
7. Although you will be a licensed doctor when you begin your residency, it will last for six to eight years, so you will begin at the bottom and progress towards becoming a surgeon through hard work and gaining hands-on experience.
8. When you finish your residency, you will be eligible to take your board certification exam. By passing your board certification after a minimum of fourteen years of grueling work, you will officially become a surgeon!