2 answers
2
Questions
Asked
305 views
What path should I take to eventually get into my dream job?
I am a sophomore in high school, I strive to become a neurosurgeon one day. I just don't know what path, nor the steps I should take to get there. I can't even figure out what scholarships or colleges would really help me out here. I am currently going into a CNA program so I would have some kind of experience in a hospital later on, and next year I intend on taking bio med classes, but I keep getting different advice from others who doesn't know much about the field themselves, now I am completely lost of where to start currently and what to do in the future to successfully archive my dream.
Login to comment
2 answers
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach, Mentor
1221
Answers
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Octavia,
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 residency for neurosurgery is 7 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.
Since you are still in high-school, 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). Certifications like for CNA 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 possible 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
https://hms.harvard.edu/education-admissions/md-program/admissions/preparing-apply
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 residency for neurosurgery is 7 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.
Since you are still in high-school, 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). Certifications like for CNA 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 possible 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:
Thank you so much, your advice has given me a much better understanding of what to do currently, and throughout college. I will definitely keep everything in mind and start planning further with possible back ups.
Updated
deep’s Answer
Your dream of becoming a neurosurgeon is definitely within reach, and you're already on the right track with your CNA experience and plans for biomed classes. The key is to stick to a clear plan and focus on steady progress. Here's a simple guide to help you along the way:
Path to Becoming a Neurosurgeon
1. High School (right now)
2. 4-year college (pre-med track)
3. Medical school (4 years)
4. Neurosurgery residency (7 years)
5. Optional fellowship (1-2 years)
It might seem long, but it's a well-defined journey.
What to Focus on Now (Sophomore Year)
- Keep your grades high, especially in science and math subjects like Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Algebra/Calculus. A strong GPA will open doors to colleges and scholarships.
- Build your medical profile early. Your CNA role is fantastic, and you can add more by volunteering at hospitals, shadowing doctors (especially surgeons), and joining health-related clubs.
- Start a "brag file" to keep track of your hours, roles, awards, leadership experiences, certifications, and reflections. This will be invaluable for college and scholarship applications.
- Begin preparing for standardized tests like the SAT/ACT. Light prep now will help you be ready for serious testing in your junior year, which can lead to significant scholarships.
Junior/Senior Year Priorities
- Take challenging courses that you can manage well, such as AP/IB Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Statistics/Calculus, and English.
- Continue gaining clinical experience through your CNA role and seek leadership opportunities in clubs or volunteer work.
- Apply for scholarships in stages: start with local ones, then move to state and national scholarships, as local ones are often easier to win.
Stay focused on your goals, and remember that each step you take brings you closer to your dream. You can do this!
Path to Becoming a Neurosurgeon
1. High School (right now)
2. 4-year college (pre-med track)
3. Medical school (4 years)
4. Neurosurgery residency (7 years)
5. Optional fellowship (1-2 years)
It might seem long, but it's a well-defined journey.
What to Focus on Now (Sophomore Year)
- Keep your grades high, especially in science and math subjects like Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Algebra/Calculus. A strong GPA will open doors to colleges and scholarships.
- Build your medical profile early. Your CNA role is fantastic, and you can add more by volunteering at hospitals, shadowing doctors (especially surgeons), and joining health-related clubs.
- Start a "brag file" to keep track of your hours, roles, awards, leadership experiences, certifications, and reflections. This will be invaluable for college and scholarship applications.
- Begin preparing for standardized tests like the SAT/ACT. Light prep now will help you be ready for serious testing in your junior year, which can lead to significant scholarships.
Junior/Senior Year Priorities
- Take challenging courses that you can manage well, such as AP/IB Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Statistics/Calculus, and English.
- Continue gaining clinical experience through your CNA role and seek leadership opportunities in clubs or volunteer work.
- Apply for scholarships in stages: start with local ones, then move to state and national scholarships, as local ones are often easier to win.
Stay focused on your goals, and remember that each step you take brings you closer to your dream. You can do this!