Future heart surgeons are required to have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. While pre-med students typically major in science related courses, such as chemistry, biology or physics, medical schools accept applicants with degrees from both scientific and non-scientific fields.
Regardless of their chosen major, students preparing for a career in surgery will be required to complete certain prerequisite courses for medical school admission. According to the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, future heart surgeons will have to take a year of each of the following courses: general biology, organic chemistry, general chemistry, calculus and physics. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, students will also need to take classes in English, mathematics, humanities and social sciences.
Medical school admissions review boards pay close attention to applicants' undergraduate grade point average. Students should aim for a "B" or better GPA.
Future heart surgeons will be required to sit for the MCAT (Medical College Admissions Test) during their junior year of undergrad school. The purpose of the MCAT is to demonstrate a medical school applicant's aptitude for analytical writing, verbal reasoning, physical sciences and biological sciences. Students take the MCAT during their junior year as a precaution; in case they earn unsatisfactory marks, there is time to re-take the test for a higher score. Out of a possible score of 15, Princeton-Review.com reports the average student sitting for the MCAT exam earns eight points per section; however the site also reports students admitted to prestigious medical schools such as Harvard and Johns Hopkins University averaged section scores between 11 and 12.
Extracurricular activity is an important college requirement for future heart surgeons. Cardiac surgery requires leadership, collaboration and performance under pressure. Medical school admission review boards will examine whether applicants have participated in experiences that have cultivated these qualities.