2 answers
Hali
Student
Baltimore, Maryland
1
Question
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Questions about Neurology?
How many years do you have to train for be a neurosurgeon? And do you have to pay for training ? Also which colleges has the best neurology program in maryland?
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2 answers
Brian Ouyang
Program Manager
22
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Brian’s Answer
Hi Hali,
Neurosurgery is a tough yet rewarding profession, and to those in the field, considered to be some of the most talented surgeons (nothing against heart surgeons or general surgeons). While I am not a neurosurgeon, a friend of mine just completed his residency so I can say with some certainty:
How long is schooling?
You will have to complete your undergraduate degree + medical degree (MD or OD). Unless you are accepted into a BS/MD program out of high school (6 years total), expect to be in school for 8 years.
How long is training?
Residencies for neurosurgeons are considered the longest of all specialties. Expect to spend 7 years in a residency program, with the 1st 2 years just doing rounds. This time is pretty standard and non-negotiable, so no way of shortening this (if you're counting, that's 8 years of undergrad/med school + 7 years of residency = 15 years)
Once you complete residency, you are technically a board certified neurosurgeon. But many neurosurgeons also complete a fellowship afterwards, which could be anywhere from 1-3 years additional training.
Who pays for training?
Luckily, you get paid during your residency, but it is not much so don't expect to be able to live lavishly on your stipend/pay or be able to fully pay back your loans.
Which colleges?
I know that UCLA, UCSF, Hopkins are high up in the rankings for neurosurgery residents, but I'd suggest talking to residents and active surgeons to get a broader view of the residency rankings. Note that not every teaching hospital has neurosurgery residency.
Neurosurgery is a tough yet rewarding profession, and to those in the field, considered to be some of the most talented surgeons (nothing against heart surgeons or general surgeons). While I am not a neurosurgeon, a friend of mine just completed his residency so I can say with some certainty:
How long is schooling?
You will have to complete your undergraduate degree + medical degree (MD or OD). Unless you are accepted into a BS/MD program out of high school (6 years total), expect to be in school for 8 years.
How long is training?
Residencies for neurosurgeons are considered the longest of all specialties. Expect to spend 7 years in a residency program, with the 1st 2 years just doing rounds. This time is pretty standard and non-negotiable, so no way of shortening this (if you're counting, that's 8 years of undergrad/med school + 7 years of residency = 15 years)
Once you complete residency, you are technically a board certified neurosurgeon. But many neurosurgeons also complete a fellowship afterwards, which could be anywhere from 1-3 years additional training.
Who pays for training?
Luckily, you get paid during your residency, but it is not much so don't expect to be able to live lavishly on your stipend/pay or be able to fully pay back your loans.
Which colleges?
I know that UCLA, UCSF, Hopkins are high up in the rankings for neurosurgery residents, but I'd suggest talking to residents and active surgeons to get a broader view of the residency rankings. Note that not every teaching hospital has neurosurgery residency.
Vamsi Reddy, MD
Consultant; Physician
6
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Vamsi’s Answer
Hi there! Great question. I am a physician who matched into neurosurgery residency. To answer your questions:
How many years do you have to train for be a neurosurgeon?
- First thing to understand is the difference between a neurologist and neurosurgeon. A neurologist is a physician who deals with brain processes non-invasively (i.e. medication management, headache control, disease processes, etc) whereas a neurosurgeon deals with diseases with an invasive procedure (brain tumors, vascular abnormalities, trauma to the head, etc).
- For any doctor, it is typically 3-4 years of undergraduate followed by 4 years of medical school (DO/MD), then followed by residency
- For a neurologist, it is 3 years of residency + 1-2 years of fellowship afterwards
- For a neurosurgeon, it is 7 years of residency + 1-2 years of fellowship afterwards
And do you have to pay for training ?
- You have to pay for undergrad and medical school
- You get paid during residency and fellowship
Also which colleges has the best neurology program in maryland?
- There are quite a few programs for neurology in maryland
- For neurosurgery, there is the university of Maryland and Johns Hopkins as well as additional programs in the surrounding states such as VA and DC
How many years do you have to train for be a neurosurgeon?
- First thing to understand is the difference between a neurologist and neurosurgeon. A neurologist is a physician who deals with brain processes non-invasively (i.e. medication management, headache control, disease processes, etc) whereas a neurosurgeon deals with diseases with an invasive procedure (brain tumors, vascular abnormalities, trauma to the head, etc).
- For any doctor, it is typically 3-4 years of undergraduate followed by 4 years of medical school (DO/MD), then followed by residency
- For a neurologist, it is 3 years of residency + 1-2 years of fellowship afterwards
- For a neurosurgeon, it is 7 years of residency + 1-2 years of fellowship afterwards
And do you have to pay for training ?
- You have to pay for undergrad and medical school
- You get paid during residency and fellowship
Also which colleges has the best neurology program in maryland?
- There are quite a few programs for neurology in maryland
- For neurosurgery, there is the university of Maryland and Johns Hopkins as well as additional programs in the surrounding states such as VA and DC