1. Bachelor's Degree (4 years): While there's no single required major, pre-med students typically focus on coursework in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. A strong GPA is crucial for medical school admission.
2. Medical School (4 years): This involves rigorous coursework in basic sciences and clinical rotations. Medical schools offer either MD (Doctor of Medicine) or DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) degrees. Both qualify you for surgical residency.
3. General Surgery Residency (5 years): After medical school, you'll complete a five-year residency program specializing in general surgery. This involves extensive hands-on surgical experience, clinical rotations, and supervised patient care.
Total Time: The entire process, from starting a bachelor's degree to becoming a board-certified general surgeon, takes approximately 13 years. This doesn't include any potential gap years between undergraduate studies and medical school or fellowship years for sub-specialization (which many surgeons pursue after their general surgery residency).