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What steps should I take to become a neurosurgeon?
I really want to become a doctor so I can help people and become a better person. But I don’t know what to do.
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Heather’s Answer
Hello Eveline! To become a medical doctor in any field, you need to earn an undergraduate degree first. Many people choose a Pre-Med Program for this purpose. While working on your undergraduate degree, start preparing and studying for the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test). To get helpful advice and clear direction, consult a counselor at the college or university you're considering applying to or attending. Wishing you the best of luck!
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Midwest’s Answer
The first step is earning a college degree and satisfying the prerequisite courses in order to apply to medical school. This can be done really through any undergraduate major as long as you take the minimum specific courses for applying to medical school. You can begin this process by making sure to stay in contact with a formal or informal guidance counselor at that undergraduate institution to make sure you mold your time in college to then be a competitive applicant to medical school. Broadly speaking, the following areas will help make you competitive for medical school:
1) Academic excellence - Getting good grades in whatever coursework and major(s) you pursue will be a baseline expectation by all medical schools! Keep this in mind as you select your schedule
2) Experience - This could be volunteering, internships, shadowing, or any formal or informal exposure to the medical field broadly and your field of interest specifically
3) Service - Volunteering not only can enhance experience but also demonstrates your commitment to community service and helping others. This is an important part of your application and your eventual career!
4) Testing - The MCAT is the main test you will need to take for medical school. You are able to take it more than once but schools are able to see all the scores so make sure you are ready before you take it, and if you choose to re-take it, make sure you have a good reason and plan for why you will do better than the first time. Putting your best foot forward on the first attempt is the best strategy
With regards to neurosurgery specifically, the most important step you can take at this stage before medical school is to pursue opportunities for exposure - this can be through volunteering or shadowing or else a more formal opportunity such as a summer internship. You are not at a stage where you need to decide yet, but these opportunities will not only help you confirm you want that career or diverge to a different one but also will help you network early with the neurosurgery community.
Assess next steps in process (undergrade, medical school)
Arrange neurosurgery shadowing
Gain exposure
1) Academic excellence - Getting good grades in whatever coursework and major(s) you pursue will be a baseline expectation by all medical schools! Keep this in mind as you select your schedule
2) Experience - This could be volunteering, internships, shadowing, or any formal or informal exposure to the medical field broadly and your field of interest specifically
3) Service - Volunteering not only can enhance experience but also demonstrates your commitment to community service and helping others. This is an important part of your application and your eventual career!
4) Testing - The MCAT is the main test you will need to take for medical school. You are able to take it more than once but schools are able to see all the scores so make sure you are ready before you take it, and if you choose to re-take it, make sure you have a good reason and plan for why you will do better than the first time. Putting your best foot forward on the first attempt is the best strategy
With regards to neurosurgery specifically, the most important step you can take at this stage before medical school is to pursue opportunities for exposure - this can be through volunteering or shadowing or else a more formal opportunity such as a summer internship. You are not at a stage where you need to decide yet, but these opportunities will not only help you confirm you want that career or diverge to a different one but also will help you network early with the neurosurgery community.
Midwest recommends the following next steps: