5 answers
PV
Student
Pickerington, Ohio
6
Questions
Updated
594 views
7th grade Career TIPS
Does anyone have anything recommended that helped them a lot that I should do or join for my passion, neurosurgery?
Anything else that can impress the Medical admission officers?
I'm planning to graduate College at the ends of Highschool with a Bachelor's Degree of neuroscience by doing College Credits in 7th grade.
I'm in 7th grade as of right now.
I also recently took a test called the NNAT3, and scored a 143, planning to join MENSA.
Thank you!
#medical doctor #doctor #neuroscience #neurologist #neurosurgeon #neurosurgery #biomedical #medical-education #accounting #finance #nurse #registered-nurse #nursing-education #pediatric-nursing #nursing #nurse-practitioner #surgeon #oral-surgery #neurosurgery #general-surgery #teacher #teacher-training #highschoolsenior #highschool-advice #middleschool #middleschoolstudent #giftedandtalented
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5 answers
Josh Taylor
25
Answers
Cleveland, Ohio
Updated
Josh’s Answer
I would add to the previous answers with counter questions to your social skills. While the scores are impressive and your ability to earn college credits in high school is commendable, there is another side to your journey.
How are you talking about yourself beyond scoring achievements? Are you able to articulate interests, hobbies, what makes you excited each day?
If asked 'Tell me about .' Are you comfortable to talk about who you are as a person and not a medical professional prospect?
It's equally important to have a social IQ that can meet with the admissions team at XYZ University, to converse with future peers and colleagues, and to have an ability to connect with people. While I'm not a doctor, there is a level of comfort and conversation a doctor provides to patients.
Beyond being able to talk about oneself, do you ask genuine questions of other people? Do you take an interest in them? Can you re-connect with others using past conversations?
If you recognize this as an area of opportunity, spend more time perfecting these skills in addition to your coursework.
Best of luck the rest of the way!
How are you talking about yourself beyond scoring achievements? Are you able to articulate interests, hobbies, what makes you excited each day?
If asked 'Tell me about .' Are you comfortable to talk about who you are as a person and not a medical professional prospect?
It's equally important to have a social IQ that can meet with the admissions team at XYZ University, to converse with future peers and colleagues, and to have an ability to connect with people. While I'm not a doctor, there is a level of comfort and conversation a doctor provides to patients.
Beyond being able to talk about oneself, do you ask genuine questions of other people? Do you take an interest in them? Can you re-connect with others using past conversations?
If you recognize this as an area of opportunity, spend more time perfecting these skills in addition to your coursework.
Best of luck the rest of the way!
June Foster
Laboratory Tech Specialist
66
Answers
Charlotte, North Carolina
Updated
June’s Answer
It’s awesome that you’re thinking about your future this early. Having a goal like becoming a neurosurgeon can help keep you motivated. At your age, focus more on building a strong foundation.
Here are a few things I’d recommend:
* Challenge yourself academically, especially in math and science, while maintaining good grades.
* Read books or watch educational videos about the brain, neuroscience, and medicine to see if the field continues to interest you.
* Join clubs like Science Olympiad, and robotics if available now or in high school.
* Develop good study habits, communication skills, and time management. Those skills will help you throughout school and your career.
If you’re able to earn college credit while in high school, that’s a great opportunity—as long as you don’t overwhelm yourself. Balance is important, and it’s okay to enjoy being a middle school student too.
Keep asking questions, stay curious, and enjoy the journey. You have many years ahead of you to grow, and the habits you build now will make a much bigger difference than trying to create the “perfect” resume this early.
Here are a few things I’d recommend:
* Challenge yourself academically, especially in math and science, while maintaining good grades.
* Read books or watch educational videos about the brain, neuroscience, and medicine to see if the field continues to interest you.
* Join clubs like Science Olympiad, and robotics if available now or in high school.
* Develop good study habits, communication skills, and time management. Those skills will help you throughout school and your career.
If you’re able to earn college credit while in high school, that’s a great opportunity—as long as you don’t overwhelm yourself. Balance is important, and it’s okay to enjoy being a middle school student too.
Keep asking questions, stay curious, and enjoy the journey. You have many years ahead of you to grow, and the habits you build now will make a much bigger difference than trying to create the “perfect” resume this early.
gordon fong
5
Answers
Mesa, Arizona
Updated
gordon’s Answer
You're doing a fantastic job as a seventh grader. One important question to ask yourself is: Is this my dream? Is this what I truly want to do with my life? If the answer is yes, then keep pursuing it.
I believe that each of us has a purpose in the field we choose. For me, I was meant to be a designer and photographer. It wasn't what my parents wanted for me, but I followed my heart and stayed true to what I loved. There were obstacles along the way, but I overcame them because I believed in my dream.
Don't let anyone tell you that you can't achieve your goals. Surround yourself with positive people, ask questions, learn from others, and never stop growing. Most importantly, enjoy the journey.
If this is truly what you want to do, then it may very well be your destiny. Believe in yourself, work hard, and follow your heart.
I believe that each of us has a purpose in the field we choose. For me, I was meant to be a designer and photographer. It wasn't what my parents wanted for me, but I followed my heart and stayed true to what I loved. There were obstacles along the way, but I overcame them because I believed in my dream.
Don't let anyone tell you that you can't achieve your goals. Surround yourself with positive people, ask questions, learn from others, and never stop growing. Most importantly, enjoy the journey.
If this is truly what you want to do, then it may very well be your destiny. Believe in yourself, work hard, and follow your heart.
Thank you, when I was in 3rd grade I was extremely into the brain and spine and said that I wanted to be a neurosurgeon especially since I looked at some procedures. I got extremely into it but my sister said that neurosurgery is extremely hard and I let that get to me and I know she is right but at that time when she said hard I couldn't comprehend it since she described how difficult it is so I distracted myself into choosing acting but now I really want to be a doctor. She really started teaching me a lot recently.. Extremely glad that she is also becoming a doctor!
PV
Akasha Ali
Student Researcher and Peer Advisor
24
Answers
Houston, Texas
Updated
Akasha’s Answer
Hi PV,It is incredibly inspiring to see someone in the 7th grade with such a clear vision, passion, and drive for a career in neurosurgery. Scoring a 143 on the NNAT3 is a phenomenal achievement—congratulations! Your academic potential is clearly massive.Graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in neuroscience by the end of high school through College Credits is an ambitious goal, but medical school admission officers look at much more than just speed or high IQ scores. They want to see maturity, empathy, and a deep understanding of what it means to care for patients.Here are the most impactful things you can do right now and throughout high school to stand out to medical admissions:1. Maintain a Flawless College GPAFocus on quality, not just speed: Medical schools strictly look at your science GPA.Take upper-level classes: Doing well in advanced, in-person college science courses carries more weight than introductory dual-credit classes.Master the MCAT: Your strong analytical skills will help immensely, but you will need deep knowledge of biology, chemistry, and physics.2. Get Clinical and Shadowing ExperienceShadow a neurosurgeon: Reach out to local hospitals (like Nationwide Children's Hospital or Ohio State Wexner Medical Center in your area) when you turn 16 to ask about shadowing.Volunteer in patient care: Medical schools want to see that you enjoy being around sick or injured people.Work directly with patients: Consider getting certified as a State Tested Nursing Assistant (STNA) or EMT during high school to get hands-on experience.3. Deepen Your Scientific CuriosityEngage in research: Look for science fairs, summer research programs, or university professors willing to let a young student assist in a lab.Read neurobiology literature: Start reading books by neurosurgeons (like When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi or Do No Harm by Henry Marsh) to understand the reality of the field.4. Demonstrate Maturity and LeadershipDevelop communication skills: A great surgeon must be an excellent communicator and team leader.Emphasize emotional intelligence: Medical school interviews evaluate how well you handle stress, failure, and ethical dilemmas.Don't rush the human element: Being exceptionally young when applying to medical school means you must work twice as hard to show the maturity level of a 22-year-old applicant.Keep feeding your curiosity, stay humble, and remember that medicine is a marathon, not a sprint. You have a brilliant head start!
Vanessa Mandal
Medical Director
25
Answers
Rocklin
Updated
Vanessa’s Answer
The road ahead is full of possibilities
Stay curious, not pressured: Your score shows strong ability—but what matters more is asking questions, exploring ideas, and enjoying learning. Curiosity lasts longer than any test score.
Follow what sparks joy: Do activities you genuinely like, even if they’re not “impressive.” Passion naturally leads to deeper skills—and that’s what people admire most.
You don’t need to impress anyone: You’re still growing. Adults may have expectations, but your path is yours. Focus on learning and being kind to yourself—success comes from balance, not pressure.
This may be a good time to start exploring volunteer/shadowing opportunities. Since your interest is neuroscience, you can look at settings such as schools that have special needs children. Doctors who care for children with brain tumors, cerebral palsy, autism. Nursing homes or assisted living facilities. where you can see firsthand the manifestation of brain pathologies- stroke, Alzheimer's. Parkinson's. Speech therapists deal with people recovering from brain injury and can teach how brain deficits impact daily life. The key is to observe how people think/feel—neuroscience connects to real life.
Stay curious, not pressured: Your score shows strong ability—but what matters more is asking questions, exploring ideas, and enjoying learning. Curiosity lasts longer than any test score.
Follow what sparks joy: Do activities you genuinely like, even if they’re not “impressive.” Passion naturally leads to deeper skills—and that’s what people admire most.
You don’t need to impress anyone: You’re still growing. Adults may have expectations, but your path is yours. Focus on learning and being kind to yourself—success comes from balance, not pressure.
This may be a good time to start exploring volunteer/shadowing opportunities. Since your interest is neuroscience, you can look at settings such as schools that have special needs children. Doctors who care for children with brain tumors, cerebral palsy, autism. Nursing homes or assisted living facilities. where you can see firsthand the manifestation of brain pathologies- stroke, Alzheimer's. Parkinson's. Speech therapists deal with people recovering from brain injury and can teach how brain deficits impact daily life. The key is to observe how people think/feel—neuroscience connects to real life.