4 answers
Milo
Student
Sarah, Mississippi
1
Question
Asked
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What is the general education process to become a heart surgeon?
I have plans to be a heart surgeon, but I can't find much information on what schools I'll have to go to or how long.
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4 answers
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach, Mentor
1211
Answers
Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Milo,
It's great that you found a passion for heart surgery (cardiothoracic surgery). In order to become a heart surgeon, you first need to earn a bachelors degree (4 years) in any field. Next, you take the MCAT before you can apply to medical school. Medical school is another 4 years and you'll earn your MD/DO. There are several different paths for your residency when you want to specialize to be a heart surgeon and ultimately take the board exam for that specialty. The "traditional" way is to do your residency in general surgery (5 years) followed by a fellowship in cardiothoracic surgery for 2 to 3 years. There are also integrated cardiothoracic surgery residencies which last 6 years and fast track programs with a shortened general surgery residency of 4 years followed by a fellowship in cardiothoracic surgery for 3 years. So, it's a long journey, and each step is competitive. You'll need excellent grades and a high MCAT score as well as medical experience and volunteer hours.
If you are still in high-school and contemplating your course choices, take all the science classes you can get (biology, chemistry, physics, math) to be well prepared for college. If your high-school offers classes related to health such as psychology or anatomy, you should take those as well. If you have the option, take on challenging classes like AP or IB or participate in a dual enrollment program.
In order to get into a good undergraduate program and later into medical school, you also need to start getting experience in medical settings and volunteering in the community. People get medical experience in a variety of ways. You can look for shadowing opportunities if you want to consider different medical specialties. You can look for internships, volunteer opportunities or small jobs e.g. in hospitals or with doctors (even if it is just as a receptionist). There are also certifications that would allow you to work medical jobs while you are still in school.
You can major in any field for your bachelors degree. Consider your interests, your career goals but also look at your undergraduate degree as a backup plan in case medical school doesn't happen (because life happens). Many students opt for a biology, chemistry or biochemistry major because it would cover most if not all of the science pre-requisites. Be aware what the pre-requisites are and that, should you opt for a non-science major, you might need longer to graduate because you might need to take extra classes. Look up medical schools that you would consider and check their admission criteria and pre-requisites. I left a link for Harvard medical school as an example below.
During your undergraduate studies, you should also get in more medical experience and (if possible) research experience. It doesn't have to be medical research, but being in any science department certainly helps to get involved in meaningful projects.
Before you can apply to medical school, you need to study for and take the MCAT. You can take the test during your junior or senior year. Many students also take a gap year after their bachelors to study for the MCAT and get some more work experience, either clinical or in research. If you opted for a non-science major, a postbac program to complete the science pre-requisites is an option.
If you get admitted to medical school, you'll study general medicine for 4 years. There is no need to know from the start which specialty you want to go for. The first 2 years are mostly classroom learning while the last 2 years are clinical and include rotations through different specialties. You'll then decide on a specialty that you want to pursue and apply for residency in that specialty hoping to "match". The residency (and fellowship) is where you specialize and train to take board exams in your specialty.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
https://hms.harvard.edu/education-admissions/md-program/admissions/preparing-apply/eligibility
https://hms.harvard.edu/education-admissions/md-program/admissions/preparing-apply/prerequisite-courses
It's great that you found a passion for heart surgery (cardiothoracic surgery). In order to become a heart surgeon, you first need to earn a bachelors degree (4 years) in any field. Next, you take the MCAT before you can apply to medical school. Medical school is another 4 years and you'll earn your MD/DO. There are several different paths for your residency when you want to specialize to be a heart surgeon and ultimately take the board exam for that specialty. The "traditional" way is to do your residency in general surgery (5 years) followed by a fellowship in cardiothoracic surgery for 2 to 3 years. There are also integrated cardiothoracic surgery residencies which last 6 years and fast track programs with a shortened general surgery residency of 4 years followed by a fellowship in cardiothoracic surgery for 3 years. So, it's a long journey, and each step is competitive. You'll need excellent grades and a high MCAT score as well as medical experience and volunteer hours.
If you are still in high-school and contemplating your course choices, take all the science classes you can get (biology, chemistry, physics, math) to be well prepared for college. If your high-school offers classes related to health such as psychology or anatomy, you should take those as well. If you have the option, take on challenging classes like AP or IB or participate in a dual enrollment program.
In order to get into a good undergraduate program and later into medical school, you also need to start getting experience in medical settings and volunteering in the community. People get medical experience in a variety of ways. You can look for shadowing opportunities if you want to consider different medical specialties. You can look for internships, volunteer opportunities or small jobs e.g. in hospitals or with doctors (even if it is just as a receptionist). There are also certifications that would allow you to work medical jobs while you are still in school.
You can major in any field for your bachelors degree. Consider your interests, your career goals but also look at your undergraduate degree as a backup plan in case medical school doesn't happen (because life happens). Many students opt for a biology, chemistry or biochemistry major because it would cover most if not all of the science pre-requisites. Be aware what the pre-requisites are and that, should you opt for a non-science major, you might need longer to graduate because you might need to take extra classes. Look up medical schools that you would consider and check their admission criteria and pre-requisites. I left a link for Harvard medical school as an example below.
During your undergraduate studies, you should also get in more medical experience and (if possible) research experience. It doesn't have to be medical research, but being in any science department certainly helps to get involved in meaningful projects.
Before you can apply to medical school, you need to study for and take the MCAT. You can take the test during your junior or senior year. Many students also take a gap year after their bachelors to study for the MCAT and get some more work experience, either clinical or in research. If you opted for a non-science major, a postbac program to complete the science pre-requisites is an option.
If you get admitted to medical school, you'll study general medicine for 4 years. There is no need to know from the start which specialty you want to go for. The first 2 years are mostly classroom learning while the last 2 years are clinical and include rotations through different specialties. You'll then decide on a specialty that you want to pursue and apply for residency in that specialty hoping to "match". The residency (and fellowship) is where you specialize and train to take board exams in your specialty.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Karin recommends the following next steps:
Rita Chuang
Physician
314
Answers
Henderson, Nevada
Updated
Rita’s Answer
I believe the above people already answered your question.
4 years college
4 years medical school
internship/residency/fellowship probably 7-8 years
Some medical schools combine college and medical school for 7 years. This field is very competitive.
4 years college
4 years medical school
internship/residency/fellowship probably 7-8 years
Some medical schools combine college and medical school for 7 years. This field is very competitive.
Cherilyn Garner
Medical Office Practice Manager; Certified Medical Assistant (
53
Answers
Polkton, North Carolina
Updated
Cherilyn’s Answer
Typically, becoming a heart surgeon takes a long educational path, but the steps are very clear. First, you complete a 4‑year bachelor’s degree, usually with science courses like biology, chemistry, and physics to prepare for medical school. After that, you attend medical school for another 4 years, where you spend your first two years learning medical science in the classroom and the last two years doing clinical rotations, including surgery.
Once you finish medical school, you complete a general surgery residency, which typically lasts 5–7 years, followed by a 2–3‑year cardiothoracic surgery fellowship to specialize in heart surgery. Altogether, becoming a heart surgeon usually takes 13–15 years after high school. If you already know this is the path you want, you’re ahead of the game — just focus on doing well in school now and preparing for the long but rewarding journey.
Once you finish medical school, you complete a general surgery residency, which typically lasts 5–7 years, followed by a 2–3‑year cardiothoracic surgery fellowship to specialize in heart surgery. Altogether, becoming a heart surgeon usually takes 13–15 years after high school. If you already know this is the path you want, you’re ahead of the game — just focus on doing well in school now and preparing for the long but rewarding journey.
Magan Pinzon
Nursing
60
Answers
Locust, North Carolina
Updated
Magan’s Answer
If you dream of becoming a heart surgeon, start by earning a bachelor's degree in a science like biology, chemistry, or physics. After that, you'll attend medical school and graduate with a DO or MD degree. Keep going, and you'll be on your way to achieving your goal!