7 answers
Jiya
Student
Vineland, New Jersey
1
Question
Asked
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What classes should I talk in order to be a Neurosurgeon? I have taken Elements of Health Care, Medical Terminology, Future Professionals, currently take Legal and Ethical Issues in Health Care, I am volunteering in the hospital, and shadowing doctors when I have time. I also took General Psychology and Computer Science in College from a High School Program. What should I do next?
I have taken Elements of Health Care, Medical Terminology, Future Professionals, currently take Legal and Ethical Issues in Health Care, I am volunteering in the hospital, and shadowing doctors when I have time. I also took General Psychology and Computer Science in College from a High School Program.
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6 answers
Cheri Hall
Physical Therapist
103
Answers
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Updated
Cheri’s Answer
Hi Jiya,
You're on a promising path to becoming a neurosurgeon! Building a solid foundation in science is crucial for future medical school courses. Besides Biology, consider taking classes like Anatomy, Physiology, and Microbiology. A Statistics course is also important to help you evaluate the validity and reliability of studies. College is a great time to explore, so feel free to take classes that interest you, even if they're not required for medical school.
You're already making great progress!
You're on a promising path to becoming a neurosurgeon! Building a solid foundation in science is crucial for future medical school courses. Besides Biology, consider taking classes like Anatomy, Physiology, and Microbiology. A Statistics course is also important to help you evaluate the validity and reliability of studies. College is a great time to explore, so feel free to take classes that interest you, even if they're not required for medical school.
You're already making great progress!
James Garvin
Customer Success Manager at Okta, Inc.
34
Answers
Littleton, Colorado
Updated
James’s Answer
You don't need a specific major for undergrad, but choosing a science major like biology, chemistry, or biochemistry is helpful. These majors often cover the courses you need for medical school, especially for the MCAT.
Focus on core subjects such as biology, chemistry, physics, math (including calculus and statistics), English, psychology, and sociology.
Extracurricular activities are important, especially in competitive fields like neurosurgery. Medical schools look for candidates who are well-rounded and show dedication to medicine and patient care through meaningful activities.
Try to gain experience in areas like clinical work, physician shadowing, research, and volunteering.
Remember, your undergraduate degree is just the beginning. Becoming a neurosurgeon is a long journey, usually taking 14 to 16 years after high school. Stay focused and committed, and you'll make it through.
Focus on core subjects such as biology, chemistry, physics, math (including calculus and statistics), English, psychology, and sociology.
Extracurricular activities are important, especially in competitive fields like neurosurgery. Medical schools look for candidates who are well-rounded and show dedication to medicine and patient care through meaningful activities.
Try to gain experience in areas like clinical work, physician shadowing, research, and volunteering.
Remember, your undergraduate degree is just the beginning. Becoming a neurosurgeon is a long journey, usually taking 14 to 16 years after high school. Stay focused and committed, and you'll make it through.
James Constantine Frangos
SOFTWARE ENGINEER SINCE 1972; NUTRITIONIST SINCE 1976.
7094
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hello Jiya!
If you want to become a neurosurgeon, start by taking the right high school classes. Here’s a list of courses to focus on:
1. Biology: Learn about the human body and nervous system. Pay attention to anatomy, physiology, genetics, and cells.
2. Chemistry: Understand the basics of how things work at a chemical level. Study both general and organic chemistry.
3. Physics: Discover how the body interacts with forces and energy. Focus on mechanics, electricity, and optics.
4. Mathematics: Build strong skills in algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and calculus. These will help in science and medical studies.
5. Advanced Courses: Take AP or honors classes if you can. They show you can handle tough subjects.
These classes will help you prepare for medical school and a career in neurosurgery. Good luck!
If you want to become a neurosurgeon, start by taking the right high school classes. Here’s a list of courses to focus on:
1. Biology: Learn about the human body and nervous system. Pay attention to anatomy, physiology, genetics, and cells.
2. Chemistry: Understand the basics of how things work at a chemical level. Study both general and organic chemistry.
3. Physics: Discover how the body interacts with forces and energy. Focus on mechanics, electricity, and optics.
4. Mathematics: Build strong skills in algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and calculus. These will help in science and medical studies.
5. Advanced Courses: Take AP or honors classes if you can. They show you can handle tough subjects.
These classes will help you prepare for medical school and a career in neurosurgery. Good luck!
Michelle M.
Actress
3276
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Jiya !
I assume that you are still in High School, so what you'll need to do first is explore Universities to choose to apply to when it's time. You will need to read their admissions requirements to know what classes they expect students to have taken in high school. So, until you know which university you will attend, you will just be guessing at what classes to take in high school. Life sciences in high school are a good choice in general.
In college, you would want to get a foundation in the life sciences, such as Biology, Chemistry, Anatomy, Physiology. Psychology and consider Majoring in one of those subjects for your Bachelors degree. You would then go to Medical School to become a Neurosurgeon. It's hard to say what actual classes or courses if you do not know the university or medical school yet as they all have different requirements.
After Medical School, you would do a one year internship in general surgery, followed by a seven year residency program in neurosurgery. You will learn how to be a surgeon and neurosurgeon through your path in Medical School and the required internship and residency. Take it one step at a time because it is a long path and you won't be able to work on patients till you do your internship. It seems as though you are doing just about enough right now.
You do not have to do anything next except continue with your volunteer work at the hospital. You can consider doing volunteer work at your local Department of Health or any Brain Injury Social Service organization. You're on the right track, so don't overload yourself. If there are any subjects you want to learn about specific to brain disorders, you can always read about them in books or watch videos about them. No need to push it at this early stage in your education.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
I assume that you are still in High School, so what you'll need to do first is explore Universities to choose to apply to when it's time. You will need to read their admissions requirements to know what classes they expect students to have taken in high school. So, until you know which university you will attend, you will just be guessing at what classes to take in high school. Life sciences in high school are a good choice in general.
In college, you would want to get a foundation in the life sciences, such as Biology, Chemistry, Anatomy, Physiology. Psychology and consider Majoring in one of those subjects for your Bachelors degree. You would then go to Medical School to become a Neurosurgeon. It's hard to say what actual classes or courses if you do not know the university or medical school yet as they all have different requirements.
After Medical School, you would do a one year internship in general surgery, followed by a seven year residency program in neurosurgery. You will learn how to be a surgeon and neurosurgeon through your path in Medical School and the required internship and residency. Take it one step at a time because it is a long path and you won't be able to work on patients till you do your internship. It seems as though you are doing just about enough right now.
You do not have to do anything next except continue with your volunteer work at the hospital. You can consider doing volunteer work at your local Department of Health or any Brain Injury Social Service organization. You're on the right track, so don't overload yourself. If there are any subjects you want to learn about specific to brain disorders, you can always read about them in books or watch videos about them. No need to push it at this early stage in your education.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
James Constantine Frangos
SOFTWARE ENGINEER SINCE 1972; NUTRITIONIST SINCE 1976.
7094
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Good Day Jiya!
NEUROSURGEON EDUCATIONAL STEPS USA
High school prerequisites Biology, Chemistry, English, Mathematics, Physics.
Complete an Undergraduate Degree: Focus on subjects like biology, chemistry, and physics. A bachelor's degree in a related field is often preferred. Attend Medical School after completing your undergraduate degree. Enroll in a medical school (MD or DO). You will need to pass the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and submit an application. Complete a Residency: After medical school, you must complete a residency in neurosurgery, which typically lasts about seven years. Obtain Board Certification: After residency, you will need to pass the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) or the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX) to become board-certified. Consider Advanced Education: Some neurosurgeons pursue additional training or fellowships in subspecialties, such as pediatric neurosurgery or spine surgery. SEE https://edurank.org/medicine/neurosurgery/us/ [100 Best colleges for Neurosurgery in the United States]
GOD BLESS!
NEUROSURGEON EDUCATIONAL STEPS USA
High school prerequisites Biology, Chemistry, English, Mathematics, Physics.
Complete an Undergraduate Degree: Focus on subjects like biology, chemistry, and physics. A bachelor's degree in a related field is often preferred. Attend Medical School after completing your undergraduate degree. Enroll in a medical school (MD or DO). You will need to pass the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and submit an application. Complete a Residency: After medical school, you must complete a residency in neurosurgery, which typically lasts about seven years. Obtain Board Certification: After residency, you will need to pass the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) or the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX) to become board-certified. Consider Advanced Education: Some neurosurgeons pursue additional training or fellowships in subspecialties, such as pediatric neurosurgery or spine surgery. SEE https://edurank.org/medicine/neurosurgery/us/ [100 Best colleges for Neurosurgery in the United States]
GOD BLESS!
Alexander Verma
Physician - neurologist
8
Answers
Denver, Colorado
Updated
Alexander’s Answer
Hi Jiya,
It sounds like you're very proactive in wanting to become a doctor, that's awesome! You're already building a strong application for medical school. I'm not a neurosurgeon but I work with them on a regular basis, here is what I've learned talking with them.
As far as coursework goes, there are no specific high school or college classes you need to take to become a neurosurgeon. To get into medical school you will need to take the prerequisite courses, which are usually one year of biology, one year of chemistry, one year of organic chemistry, one year of physics, and often one year of English. Some schools have prerequisites in addition to these, but these courses are pretty universal among medical schools. You'll then need to take the MCAT, which tests you on all of the above.
In addition to a high GPA and strong MCAT score, there are some extracurriculars that can improve your application to medical school. Volunteering is always a good idea, especially if you can do something you're passionate about and can speak to in an interview. Additionally, research is a great CV builder. If you end up going to a college with an affiliated medical school, you can see if there are research opportunities in their neuroscience or neurosurgery department. Research of some kind, whether in undergrad or during medical school, is virtually mandatory for any neurosurgery applicant. This not only builds your CV but helps you make connections to professionals in your field of interest.
In medical school, getting strong grades and strong letters of recommendation are paramount. You won't do a neurosurgery rotation as part of the core clinical rotations but you can ask your medical school about an elective rotation. You will definitely want strong letters of recommendation from other surgeons in order to match into a neurosurgery residency.
Keep in mind a few things:
1. Medical schools are notoriously selective. Plenty of extremely qualified candidates do not get in every year. The same is true of neurosurgery residency applications, which are mandatory if you want to be a neurosurgeon. You can do everything right and still not make it. It's good to apply broadly and have a backup plan.
2. Once in medical school, you may find that your interests change significantly. Some people dream of becoming a surgeon, only to find they can't stand the OR. Others may find a mentor who turns them on to an area of medicine they never knew about, and it becomes way more exciting to them than their initial career plans. Keep an open mind.
3. It's a good idea, before committing yourself to medicine and to neurosurgery, to know the lifestyle of neurosurgeons. They have a reputation for working extremely long hours in grueling conditions with life-or-death stakes, and I know of at least two neurosurgeons who made it all the way to residency before realizing it wasn't the right career for them. I'd recommend shadowing a neurosurgeon if you can find an opportunity. Ask them questions about their free time, income, work environment, things they like or dislike about their career.
I hope this helps!
Alex
It sounds like you're very proactive in wanting to become a doctor, that's awesome! You're already building a strong application for medical school. I'm not a neurosurgeon but I work with them on a regular basis, here is what I've learned talking with them.
As far as coursework goes, there are no specific high school or college classes you need to take to become a neurosurgeon. To get into medical school you will need to take the prerequisite courses, which are usually one year of biology, one year of chemistry, one year of organic chemistry, one year of physics, and often one year of English. Some schools have prerequisites in addition to these, but these courses are pretty universal among medical schools. You'll then need to take the MCAT, which tests you on all of the above.
In addition to a high GPA and strong MCAT score, there are some extracurriculars that can improve your application to medical school. Volunteering is always a good idea, especially if you can do something you're passionate about and can speak to in an interview. Additionally, research is a great CV builder. If you end up going to a college with an affiliated medical school, you can see if there are research opportunities in their neuroscience or neurosurgery department. Research of some kind, whether in undergrad or during medical school, is virtually mandatory for any neurosurgery applicant. This not only builds your CV but helps you make connections to professionals in your field of interest.
In medical school, getting strong grades and strong letters of recommendation are paramount. You won't do a neurosurgery rotation as part of the core clinical rotations but you can ask your medical school about an elective rotation. You will definitely want strong letters of recommendation from other surgeons in order to match into a neurosurgery residency.
Keep in mind a few things:
1. Medical schools are notoriously selective. Plenty of extremely qualified candidates do not get in every year. The same is true of neurosurgery residency applications, which are mandatory if you want to be a neurosurgeon. You can do everything right and still not make it. It's good to apply broadly and have a backup plan.
2. Once in medical school, you may find that your interests change significantly. Some people dream of becoming a surgeon, only to find they can't stand the OR. Others may find a mentor who turns them on to an area of medicine they never knew about, and it becomes way more exciting to them than their initial career plans. Keep an open mind.
3. It's a good idea, before committing yourself to medicine and to neurosurgery, to know the lifestyle of neurosurgeons. They have a reputation for working extremely long hours in grueling conditions with life-or-death stakes, and I know of at least two neurosurgeons who made it all the way to residency before realizing it wasn't the right career for them. I'd recommend shadowing a neurosurgeon if you can find an opportunity. Ask them questions about their free time, income, work environment, things they like or dislike about their career.
I hope this helps!
Alex