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What majors should I take if I’m interested in becoming a brain surgeon ?
Should I just take science class or should I also take a fun class to not stress myself out
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Martha D.’s Answer
Hi, Ashlee, what a great question!
Many pre-med students do major in the sciences, especially biology or chemistry, but no specific majors are required. Instead, these students must pass specific courses (see Harvard Medical School link below).
Not only are non-science courses permitted, but some colleges/universities require students to study varied course areas to be well-rounded. As you mentioned, other courses can be fun, which is good for your brain and stress relief. I might even argue that other courses, such as literature or art history, can help you build empathy which is important for a physician. Studying sociology can help you understand different cultures which is important to building rapport with others, also important for a physician. Of course, psychology, a science sometimes not treated the same as biology and chemistry, could help you understand how human process and react to new information, which is also relevant.
I hope this is helpful and wish you well!
Harvard Medical School - https://hms.harvard.edu/education-admissions/md-program/admissions/preparing-apply/prerequisite-courses
Many pre-med students do major in the sciences, especially biology or chemistry, but no specific majors are required. Instead, these students must pass specific courses (see Harvard Medical School link below).
Not only are non-science courses permitted, but some colleges/universities require students to study varied course areas to be well-rounded. As you mentioned, other courses can be fun, which is good for your brain and stress relief. I might even argue that other courses, such as literature or art history, can help you build empathy which is important for a physician. Studying sociology can help you understand different cultures which is important to building rapport with others, also important for a physician. Of course, psychology, a science sometimes not treated the same as biology and chemistry, could help you understand how human process and react to new information, which is also relevant.
I hope this is helpful and wish you well!
Martha D. recommends the following next steps:
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach, Mentor
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Karin’s Answer
Hi Ashlee,
It's great that you found a passion for neurosurgery. In order to become a neurosurgeon, 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. The neurosurgery residency where you specialize to be a neurosurgeon and ultimately take the board exam for that specialty is one of the longest at 6 to 8 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.
I am assuming you are still in high-school and contemplating your course choices. To be academically well prepared for college, you should take all the science classes you can get (biology, chemistry, physics, math). 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.
But you can absolutely take classes for fun too. Becoming a physician takes a lot of dedication, but you don't have to become a robot either. You are allowed to be a multi-faceted person with interests and hobbies outside the science classroom. In fact, well-rounded students are preferred over students who just tick the boxes.
There is also more to being a doctor than just the science part. Speaking another language, e.g. Spanish, well is not only fun but will help you communicate with patients and better understand their cultural background. Taking English classes will improve your speaking and writing skills which is super helpful in college. Taking a sociology class will help you better understand things like human relationships and societal issues. Taking an art or music class can give you an important outlet to balance your busy life and also improve dexterity.
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 in e.g. 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 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. Psychology or neuroscience would also be excellent options for someone interested in neurosurgery. Just 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 in. 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".
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 neurosurgery. In order to become a neurosurgeon, 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. The neurosurgery residency where you specialize to be a neurosurgeon and ultimately take the board exam for that specialty is one of the longest at 6 to 8 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.
I am assuming you are still in high-school and contemplating your course choices. To be academically well prepared for college, you should take all the science classes you can get (biology, chemistry, physics, math). 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.
But you can absolutely take classes for fun too. Becoming a physician takes a lot of dedication, but you don't have to become a robot either. You are allowed to be a multi-faceted person with interests and hobbies outside the science classroom. In fact, well-rounded students are preferred over students who just tick the boxes.
There is also more to being a doctor than just the science part. Speaking another language, e.g. Spanish, well is not only fun but will help you communicate with patients and better understand their cultural background. Taking English classes will improve your speaking and writing skills which is super helpful in college. Taking a sociology class will help you better understand things like human relationships and societal issues. Taking an art or music class can give you an important outlet to balance your busy life and also improve dexterity.
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 in e.g. 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 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. Psychology or neuroscience would also be excellent options for someone interested in neurosurgery. Just 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 in. 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".
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Karin recommends the following next steps: