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What is some advice to become a Surgical Pathologist Physician?
I am almost a senior, and I've been interested in this career for a while. My plan after High school is to go to Grand Rapids Christian Community College for AA in pre-bio (boost GPA) and then transfer to Calvin University for BS in bio and take MCAT, and then hopefully go to MSU for the MD program and then do residency, etc. Is this a good plan, or should I fix something?
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Mark’s Answer
Hi Ryan,
I think you have a good plan that is well thought out. Going to community college first is a good way to decrease costs but still get a good education. You will need to check what premed courses each medical school requires (https://students-residents.aamc.org/medical-school-admission-requirements/required-premedical-coursework-and-competencies) and (https://students-residents.aamc.org/system/files/2026-05/MSAR002%20-%20MSAR%20Premed%20Course%20Requirements.pdf). In general, you'll need one year of general biology, 1 year of general chemistry, 1 year of organic chemistry, and 1 year of physics. You can do all of that at the community college. Some schools want an applicant to have a math statistics or biostatistics class. I would recommend that as it will help later when you need to understand medical research studies. Other useful classes that may not be required are general psychology, general sociology (1 semester or 1 quarter each), biochemistry (1 or 2 semesters), molecular biology (often part of the second semester of biochemistry), genetics, cell biology, and immunology. Many of these classes can be used to fulfill requirements for a biology major. Anatomy, physiology, and histology classes can be helpful to give you a heads up on med school classes but not absolutely necessary. You could instead take classes outside of biology to round out your education and that you have interest in. Medical schools like to see that.
While in college, spend time shadowing physicians, both surgical pathologists and doctors in other specialities so you can see what medicine entails. You could volunteer at a VA Hospital or work as a scribe in an emergency room or other medical practice. Join some clubs and if possible, get leadership positions in them.
Take the MCAT late in your junior year when you have completed all prerequisite courses. Then apply to med schools in summer of your senior year. You would then interview at schools who invite you in the fall or early spring semesters of the senior year. Please note that many people do not get into med school on their first try. So if you don't get in and medicine is what you want to do, apply again the next year. You can also apply to schools outside of Michigan, mainly private schools who take candidates from all states, to broaden your chances.
At the end of med school you apply for residency in Pathology. You could do a combined anatomic and clinical pathology residency (4 years) or an anatomic pathology only residency (3 years). Most residents do the combined anatomic and clinical pathology residency. After residency you could do a surgical pathology fellowship or a fellowship in a surgical pathology subspecialty such as GI pathology, skin pathology, etc.
I think you have a good plan that is well thought out. Going to community college first is a good way to decrease costs but still get a good education. You will need to check what premed courses each medical school requires (https://students-residents.aamc.org/medical-school-admission-requirements/required-premedical-coursework-and-competencies) and (https://students-residents.aamc.org/system/files/2026-05/MSAR002%20-%20MSAR%20Premed%20Course%20Requirements.pdf). In general, you'll need one year of general biology, 1 year of general chemistry, 1 year of organic chemistry, and 1 year of physics. You can do all of that at the community college. Some schools want an applicant to have a math statistics or biostatistics class. I would recommend that as it will help later when you need to understand medical research studies. Other useful classes that may not be required are general psychology, general sociology (1 semester or 1 quarter each), biochemistry (1 or 2 semesters), molecular biology (often part of the second semester of biochemistry), genetics, cell biology, and immunology. Many of these classes can be used to fulfill requirements for a biology major. Anatomy, physiology, and histology classes can be helpful to give you a heads up on med school classes but not absolutely necessary. You could instead take classes outside of biology to round out your education and that you have interest in. Medical schools like to see that.
While in college, spend time shadowing physicians, both surgical pathologists and doctors in other specialities so you can see what medicine entails. You could volunteer at a VA Hospital or work as a scribe in an emergency room or other medical practice. Join some clubs and if possible, get leadership positions in them.
Take the MCAT late in your junior year when you have completed all prerequisite courses. Then apply to med schools in summer of your senior year. You would then interview at schools who invite you in the fall or early spring semesters of the senior year. Please note that many people do not get into med school on their first try. So if you don't get in and medicine is what you want to do, apply again the next year. You can also apply to schools outside of Michigan, mainly private schools who take candidates from all states, to broaden your chances.
At the end of med school you apply for residency in Pathology. You could do a combined anatomic and clinical pathology residency (4 years) or an anatomic pathology only residency (3 years). Most residents do the combined anatomic and clinical pathology residency. After residency you could do a surgical pathology fellowship or a fellowship in a surgical pathology subspecialty such as GI pathology, skin pathology, etc.
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Elyse’s Answer
- GRCC (Years 1–2): Focus on General Education (English, Humanities) and Introductory Biology. Keep GPA 3.8+.
- Calvin University (Years 3–4): Complete BS in Biology. Take upper-level prerequisites (Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Genetics) here.
- Medical School Prep: Gain clinical volunteering hours and shadow a surgical pathologist at Corewell Health.
- MCAT: Take in your junior or senior year of college.
- Medical School (4 Years): Apply broadly to MSU (MD/DO) plus other Michigan programs (Wayne State, WMU, CMU).
- Residency (3–4 Years): Match into an Anatomic Pathology residency program.
- Fellowship (1–2 Years): Complete a Surgical Pathology fellowship to specialize.
- Calvin University (Years 3–4): Complete BS in Biology. Take upper-level prerequisites (Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Genetics) here.
- Medical School Prep: Gain clinical volunteering hours and shadow a surgical pathologist at Corewell Health.
- MCAT: Take in your junior or senior year of college.
- Medical School (4 Years): Apply broadly to MSU (MD/DO) plus other Michigan programs (Wayne State, WMU, CMU).
- Residency (3–4 Years): Match into an Anatomic Pathology residency program.
- Fellowship (1–2 Years): Complete a Surgical Pathology fellowship to specialize.