How do you like being a neurosurgeon (if you are one)?

Question

Was it hard to get the job? How smart do you have to be? If you get like all A's is that good enough? Do you like the job? Was college and med school hard? Is it really like it is on TV? How much do you get paid (not that I care, just wonderning, I really just want to help people)? I am good in all of my subjects, especially Science (I got all A+'s this year). Do you think I could get this job? Include any other information please.
**By the way, I am only in eigth grade. I just am trying to figure out a good job that I would be interested in.

Answer 1

"How smart do you have to be?" Quite. I know very few dumb doctors. They have to be able to diagnose and remember a ton of things.

"If you get like all A's is that good enough?" Good enough how? You have to do well in school, but then perform brilliantly in residency, internship, and in your fellowship should you do one.

"Was college and med school hard? " College can be difficult - the competition can be brutal, especially in pre-med classes. How you score in your college courses and on your MCATS will influence what med school accepts you.
Med school is incredibly difficult. You basically study, learn, or test 18 hours a day. Your only friends are really your classmates. You have no life for 4 years.

"Is it really like it is on TV?" Nothing is ever really like what it looks like on TV.

"How much do you get paid (not that I care, just wonderning, I really just want to help people)? " Honestly, it depends on where you work, how much you work, and what you do. It could be $100,000 or it could be $750,000 and up.

" Do you think I could get this job?" It's not a matter of 'getting this job' like you would apply for a job at the Gap. It's studying hard for 12+ years *after* high school. It's performing well during your residency. It's making good contacts and friends. It's having a lot of experience and a great resume and training.

If you are interested in it, talk to your guidance counselor. You may have to wait until high school to really be able to get good answers, however. Volunteer at a hospital and try to see what the job entails. Good Luck To You!! : )

Answer 2

I graduated in medicine in India.The medical school competition both before and after entering the school can be very tough.There is a tendency here in North America to over rate "smartness"...there are outstanding doctors who are brilliant no doubt,but many men and women- who I would call quick witted rather than brilliant- are excellent doctors.
You need to keep a steady pace and build up good study and retaining skills and these I feel these are skills that a sharp person can easily attain.....with the RIGHT amount of work!
DONT PAY TOO MUCH ATTENTION TO IQ SCORES.

In India and much of the Orient diligence and perseverence is highly prized rather than intelligence -the way it is graded in the West.

I was an average student and I did struggle through a lot of academic challenges rather than breeze through them with intelligence in other words I TOILED..
The last job I held in India was that of an assistant cardiovascular surgeon ( I did not finish and moved to Canada )
and I absolutely enjoyed myself....

I spent 3 years preparing for the medical school.six and a half years in medical school 3 years as an intern in general surgery and then 1 year as a cardiovasular assistant (it requires 3 to graduate in CV surgery)..it can be a hard life.

IF U BEND UR WILL U CAN DO IT!!!

If u succeed say 70% of ur goals in med school ....u feel GRRREAATTT...and that feeling is YOURS...nothing ever in life matches it ,quiet.SO SO SO GOOD!!!

Good Luck.!!

PS. Sanjay Gupta is a medical correspondent who writes for the Time magazine talk to him..he is probably the best known neurosurgeon in the US

Answer 3

It's great that you're thinking this early about what you want to do in the future! Take it slowly though. A good start in college would be as pre-med/biology major. During that time you'll be working towards your 4-year bachelors degree, and you'll apply to medical schools. Once accepted, you can decide any focus of your choice and then the best thing to do is to get residencies in these fields. A residency will give you the experience and knowledge in the field of your choice that other people will not have. That will make it much easier to work in whatever field you choose.

As for how much smarts it takes... TONS. Be prepared to work hard, study constantly, and have minimal social life.

Good luck!