Im interested in going to school to become an orthopedic surgeon. I've got a 3.96 gpa in high school and want to go to uw madison. I think i should have enough extracurriculars to get in. For this let's assume that I do get in. What are some of the steps that I will need to take to become a orthopedic surgeon and how long will it take. Then how demanding is the work(hours, stress). It seems like a rewarding job but I still wand to be able to do things in life besides work 24/7. Is that possible or would I have to give up golfing on weekends and coaching sports to become a surgeon.
2007-05-29 11:31:28 · 3 answers · asked by pmguy 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Higher Education (University +)
Many years from now when you are a surgeon and your career is established, you will have time for relaxation. But forget about it for the next 15 years.
Coming from a state university you will need near perfect grades to out-compete the 1000s of other premeds. That includes A in organic chem, calculus, etc. All the tough courses.
Then you need to do very well in med school in order to get a high preference status for your application to this popular and lucrative specialty. Then you have to work your butt off as a resident for about 7 years or more. Then you have to work your butt off for years paying off the huge loans you accumulated while you were in med school. (Average over $100,000)
This kind of career is really not a good choice for people who are worried about how much leisure time they are going to have. It is more the kind of job for your obsessive classmates who have a 4.4 GPA and spend the night before their last high school final exam obsessing about whether they will be OK the next day.
2007-05-29 11:56:20 · answer #1 · answered by matt 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The first thing you need to do is get a medical degree. This is 5 years. After that, you apply for a pg program....orthopaedics....and spend 3-4 years at that. about 9-10 years altogether. A lot of orthopedic work cannot be 'scheduled' ... accidents and so forth...happen...so orthopedics often interferes with free time....particularly if you are part of an ER team...or are on rotating call as part of a group. "Your" time is no more or no less interfered with than any other branch of medicine.
2007-05-29 11:51:29 · answer #2 · answered by levatorlux 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Nope, if you are a hard worker you can do anything. My uncle is the stupidest most dumb bastard I have meant in my life and he is a heart surgeon and is great at what he does. He works his tail off to make up for it though. Don't let anyone tell you you can or can't do it. Good luck.
2016-04-01 03:33:30 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋