What are requirements to become a surgeon?

Question

Hi. I would really love to become a surgeon one day, more specifically a cardiothoracic surgeon. Does anyone know what I have to do? If someone could explain to me what I should specifically major in in undergraduate college, what do do in medical school, and how residency and training in my speciality works. If there is a cardiothoracic surgeon out there, please respond to this! That would be great if you could let me know exactly what I need to do and go through. Thanks!

Answer 1

These two sites ought to answer all of your questions for you:

http://people.howstuffworks.com/becoming-a-doctor.htm

http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/2997.html

Answer 2

Every one's hands shake but some shake much more! And then think of yourself on the operating table with a surgeon whose hands are shaking so badly that he can't hold a scalpel or will miss the target to be cut by a few mm. Good eye sight, steady hands and not being queasy (when you open up a body, it is not a pretty sight), for some types of surgery fairly good strength (to cut and drill through bone), ability to stand and bend over the bodies on the operating table for long hours and long attention spans. In my view, the above are the minimum qualities for a good surgeon.

Answer 3

You can major in ANYTHING and be eligible for medical school provided you complete the pre-med required coursework.

1 year general chem (with lab)
1 year organic chem (with lab)
1 year general biology (with lab)
1 year intro. physics (with lab)
1 year English
1 year calculus
Suggested coursework includes: psychology, statistics, biochemistry, humanities

You do not have to major in biology or any other science. In fact, if you major in a non-science, not only does that make it easier for you to obtain recommendations from non-sci profs, it makes you look more well-rounded as an applicant.

I did a double major in cultural studies and molecular cell biology.

Take the MCAT in your third year and apply during fourth year. Score well and make sure your GPA stays above 3.5. Do lots of extracurricular activities like lab research, clinical internship, community service and something wholly unrelated to science (rally commission, musical group, etc.).

When you take the USMLE, you need to score in the 95th percentile or better if you are aiming for heart surgery. I had a colleague who was trained in India, and he was taking the USMLE. His 92nd percentile score wasn't enough for cardiothoracic surgery (but I think he got matched with some other surgery program).