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Melody
Student
Kinston, North Carolina
1
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What advice do y’all have for me?
I’m a junior in high school, the career I desire is neurosurgery, I want to do a fellowship in Pediatrics afterwards. I’m also debating whether I want to go into the military route or civilian route.
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3 answers
Michelle M.
Actress
3284
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
HI, Melody !
It's great that you've come here to be more informed so that you can plan your path towards becoming a Pediatric Neurosurgeon ! That is one awesome goal !
Anyone considering enlisting in the military needs to speak with a recruiter to verify any information that is on the internet or any advice you obtain about it. All branches of the military will expect you to make an 8 year commitment and that can be fulfilled by combinations of active duty, Reserve duty, or the Individual Ready Reserve. You would need to commit to that and that would set your education for neurosurgery back 8 years before you can start undergrad school, then med school, then the fellowship.
If you become a pediatric neurosurgeon first and then enlist, you will have just achieved a career that you may not be able to practice right away due to the commitments military will present. You need to decide if you really want to combine military service and a career as a neurosurgeon as the ultimate choice is yours after being well informed. Talk to a local military recruiter.
The path to becoming a Neurosurgeon with taking a fellowship is 14 to 16 years. Most people taking this path start right after high school and do not introduce any additional time demanding commitments so that they can focus totally on their undergraduate program in a life science, obtain high grades, get the foundational knowledge that will support them in Medical School. In undergrad school for a life science, you will need time for classroom attendance, lab work, projects and required events and presentations outside of class work that you would be expected to attend and possibly an Internship in your Junior or Senior year depending on the University you attend.
Being in 11th grade already, you would have had to begin ROTC at your high school (if they offer it) in 9th grade, so getting a taste of military in high school is not an option at this time. I'm not sure how this exactly works, but ask your military recruiter to explain The National Capital Consortium Neurological Surgery Residency program at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. You'd be expected to do all types of neurosurgery in the military, not just pediatric. Many times, you'd have to work in complex and austere environments. This is something to discuss with a recruiter and decide if you want to work in a medical/hospital setting or wherever the military places you.
If you go the civilian route, there is Federal Student Financial Aid, Work Study, Scholarships and Grants to help meet the costs of college and Medical School. Keep in mind that the current GI Bill does not provide financial assistance for college students who have already graduated. But you'd have to already gone to college and med school to take the National Capital Consortium Neurological Surgery Residency program at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Personally, in my opinion only - I would suggest just going a straight academic route and choosing where you want to do your residency and fellowship and not be pinpointed to a military residency for neurosurgery. That's up to you, however. I get the idea that you would have more personal choice in your career if you do the academic route. That's just my opinion, discuss it with a recruiter.
So with all things considered, after speaking with a military recruiter and giving it some deep thought, you can make the decision that will make your career path comfortable, smooth and filled with the type of support you'll need. Your journey should be as least complicated as possible and you'll see that it's all worth it in the end.
I wish you all the best !
It's great that you've come here to be more informed so that you can plan your path towards becoming a Pediatric Neurosurgeon ! That is one awesome goal !
Anyone considering enlisting in the military needs to speak with a recruiter to verify any information that is on the internet or any advice you obtain about it. All branches of the military will expect you to make an 8 year commitment and that can be fulfilled by combinations of active duty, Reserve duty, or the Individual Ready Reserve. You would need to commit to that and that would set your education for neurosurgery back 8 years before you can start undergrad school, then med school, then the fellowship.
If you become a pediatric neurosurgeon first and then enlist, you will have just achieved a career that you may not be able to practice right away due to the commitments military will present. You need to decide if you really want to combine military service and a career as a neurosurgeon as the ultimate choice is yours after being well informed. Talk to a local military recruiter.
The path to becoming a Neurosurgeon with taking a fellowship is 14 to 16 years. Most people taking this path start right after high school and do not introduce any additional time demanding commitments so that they can focus totally on their undergraduate program in a life science, obtain high grades, get the foundational knowledge that will support them in Medical School. In undergrad school for a life science, you will need time for classroom attendance, lab work, projects and required events and presentations outside of class work that you would be expected to attend and possibly an Internship in your Junior or Senior year depending on the University you attend.
Being in 11th grade already, you would have had to begin ROTC at your high school (if they offer it) in 9th grade, so getting a taste of military in high school is not an option at this time. I'm not sure how this exactly works, but ask your military recruiter to explain The National Capital Consortium Neurological Surgery Residency program at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. You'd be expected to do all types of neurosurgery in the military, not just pediatric. Many times, you'd have to work in complex and austere environments. This is something to discuss with a recruiter and decide if you want to work in a medical/hospital setting or wherever the military places you.
If you go the civilian route, there is Federal Student Financial Aid, Work Study, Scholarships and Grants to help meet the costs of college and Medical School. Keep in mind that the current GI Bill does not provide financial assistance for college students who have already graduated. But you'd have to already gone to college and med school to take the National Capital Consortium Neurological Surgery Residency program at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Personally, in my opinion only - I would suggest just going a straight academic route and choosing where you want to do your residency and fellowship and not be pinpointed to a military residency for neurosurgery. That's up to you, however. I get the idea that you would have more personal choice in your career if you do the academic route. That's just my opinion, discuss it with a recruiter.
So with all things considered, after speaking with a military recruiter and giving it some deep thought, you can make the decision that will make your career path comfortable, smooth and filled with the type of support you'll need. Your journey should be as least complicated as possible and you'll see that it's all worth it in the end.
I wish you all the best !
Thank you for your answer! I also wondered if I should go the military route, specifically for the Navy.
Gracelynn
You are very welcome for the advice. My personal opinion as already expressed is to begin and stay with the college and Medical School route for Neurosurgery. The choice is up to you after being well informed. Have an awesome day, Gracelynn !
Michelle M.
Hi All, Active duty Naval Officer here. There is some incorrect information about military recruiting here, and the path to become a doctor in the military. I'll draft a separate response just to address those elements.
Meighan Middleton
Hi, Meighan Middleton - Thanks for detecting wrong information in my advice because that information is actually in the public domain. Do note that I have urged the student to get all military information directly in person from a military recruiter as online information sometimes may not be correct, updated or accurate.
Michelle M.
J Barnes
5
Answers
Orlando, Florida
Updated
J’s Answer
Hi,
Always keep your "why" in mind—the reason you're on your career path. Working with people can be unpredictable, but you have control over how you handle situations and present yourself.
Staying connected to your "why" helps maintain your passion and curiosity through career ups and downs. Make sure to prioritize your joy, hobbies, and mental health. Know when to take breaks and how to recharge, so you can keep doing meaningful work without burning out.
Organize both your personal and professional life. Use tools like lists or phone reminders to stay on track. Also, nurture connections with friends and family to have a support system outside of work.
If you're already doing these things, you're on the right track.
Take care.
Always keep your "why" in mind—the reason you're on your career path. Working with people can be unpredictable, but you have control over how you handle situations and present yourself.
Staying connected to your "why" helps maintain your passion and curiosity through career ups and downs. Make sure to prioritize your joy, hobbies, and mental health. Know when to take breaks and how to recharge, so you can keep doing meaningful work without burning out.
Organize both your personal and professional life. Use tools like lists or phone reminders to stay on track. Also, nurture connections with friends and family to have a support system outside of work.
If you're already doing these things, you're on the right track.
Take care.
Meighan Middleton
Former College Advisor and Admissions Professional/Surface Warfare Officer
42
Answers
Newport, Rhode Island
Updated
Meighan’s Answer
Hi Melody,
What a great goal and vision you so early in your life and career journey!
I cannot speak to medical training pathway, as that is outside my expertise, but can address your questions about how become a physician in the military.
All physicians in the military are Officers. There is a different path to becoming a Military Officer, versus enlisting, and the primary difference is that becoming an Officer requires a college degree. Since your goal is to become a Doctor, and undergraduate degree is part of that pathway, this will not be a barrier for you.
To become a doctor in the military, you can either attend a Service Academy like the US Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, or West Point and seek to direct commission as a medical student selectee after graduation -OR- join a ROTC program in college and seek to direct commission as a medical student selectee after graduation. ROTC programs offer both full and partial scholarships, and Service Academies are free to attend with a stipend provided while you are student there, so these could be good options if you are weighing financial considerations to paying for college, followed by medical school, and want to minimize student loans.
In both the case of attending a Service Academy or receiving a ROTC scholarship, it is highly competitive to be selected to direct commission to attend medical school, as the military has a greater demand for other Officer specialities such as Pilots, Surface Warfare Officers, Intel Officers, etc. Each branch has their own demands of what kind of Officers they seek to commission based on the needs of each branch. The former answer here states that you would have to delay your medical training to do one of these careers first, but that is not the case for a direct commission. However, the direct commission option is highly competitive.
Another path is to complete your undergraduate eduction, then apply for the military to select you as a recipient of scholarship for medical school education. If selected, you go through an abbreviated Officer Candidate School (at least on the Navy's side) before medical school. This program for the Navy is call the Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP).
Additionally, you do NOT need to join Junior ROTC in high school to attend a service academy or be selected for a College ROTC program. This is a common misconception. Can JROTC make you more competitive for a College ROTC program or a Service Academy? Absolutely. However, it is not a requirement.
Hope this information is helpful to you. Best of luck on your college and career journey!
-Meighan
View information about general opportunities in the Navy medical community: https://www.navy.com/navy-medicine/medical-students-med-school-grads
View information about NROTC Pre-Med Option: https://www.netc.navy.mil/Commands/Naval-Service-Training-Command/NROTC/Prospective-Midshipmen/NROTC-Program-Options/Pre-Med-Option/
View information about the Navy's Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP): https://www.med.navy.mil/Accessions/Health-Professions-Scholarship-Program-HPSP-and-Financial-Assistance-Program-FAP/
What a great goal and vision you so early in your life and career journey!
I cannot speak to medical training pathway, as that is outside my expertise, but can address your questions about how become a physician in the military.
All physicians in the military are Officers. There is a different path to becoming a Military Officer, versus enlisting, and the primary difference is that becoming an Officer requires a college degree. Since your goal is to become a Doctor, and undergraduate degree is part of that pathway, this will not be a barrier for you.
To become a doctor in the military, you can either attend a Service Academy like the US Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, or West Point and seek to direct commission as a medical student selectee after graduation -OR- join a ROTC program in college and seek to direct commission as a medical student selectee after graduation. ROTC programs offer both full and partial scholarships, and Service Academies are free to attend with a stipend provided while you are student there, so these could be good options if you are weighing financial considerations to paying for college, followed by medical school, and want to minimize student loans.
In both the case of attending a Service Academy or receiving a ROTC scholarship, it is highly competitive to be selected to direct commission to attend medical school, as the military has a greater demand for other Officer specialities such as Pilots, Surface Warfare Officers, Intel Officers, etc. Each branch has their own demands of what kind of Officers they seek to commission based on the needs of each branch. The former answer here states that you would have to delay your medical training to do one of these careers first, but that is not the case for a direct commission. However, the direct commission option is highly competitive.
Another path is to complete your undergraduate eduction, then apply for the military to select you as a recipient of scholarship for medical school education. If selected, you go through an abbreviated Officer Candidate School (at least on the Navy's side) before medical school. This program for the Navy is call the Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP).
Additionally, you do NOT need to join Junior ROTC in high school to attend a service academy or be selected for a College ROTC program. This is a common misconception. Can JROTC make you more competitive for a College ROTC program or a Service Academy? Absolutely. However, it is not a requirement.
Hope this information is helpful to you. Best of luck on your college and career journey!
-Meighan
Meighan recommends the following next steps:
Hi, Meighan Middleton - Thanks for detecting wrong information in my advice because that information is actually in the public domain. Do note that I have urged the student to get all military information directly in person from a military recruiter as online information sometimes may not be correct, updated or accurate.
Michelle M.
I did NOT state that ROTC is mandatory - I stated that IF she had wanted to do ROTC in High School, it would have had to start in 11th grade. Sorry if I worded it wrong.
Michelle M.