If you already know that you want to be a neurosurgeon while you are still in high school, you can tailor your high school experience to prime you for the rest of your neurosurgery education journey. Take as many math and science classes as you can, including advanced-placement courses that will give you college credits toward the undergraduate program of your choice. It is important to get consistently high grades and to cultivate persistence and determination to face the strenuous and grueling years of school and training ahead.
While some medical schools allow students to begin without a bachelor's degree, almost every neurosurgeon begins by earning a bachelor of science from the best university possible. Your coursework will consist of basic to advanced biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, anatomy and physiology, pathology, and other sciences. Contact at least three different medical schools to begin tailoring your undergraduate education to conform with their requirements for admission. Most bachelor of science programs will take four years to complete. Near the end of your undergraduate degree, you will need to score highly on the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT).
Medical school will almost always take four years to complete before earning the title of medical doctor (M.D.). In medical school, you will learn in great detail how practicing surgeons take care of patients. You will practice with cadavers to become comfortable with medical manipulation of the human body and various medical procedures and laboratory tests you will need to be familiar with. Your studies will include human genetics, neuroscience, inpatient medicine, medical ethics disease biology and even psychiatry. During your third year of medical school, you will design your fourth year to include a neurosurgery rotation. Near the end of medical school, you will begin applying for residencies through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS).
After completing medical school, you must complete a six-month to two-year internship in neurosurgery to qualify for residency programs at teaching hospitals. Many neurosurgery residency programs include an internship as the first year of the residency. The Duke University neurosurgery residency program consists of a one year internship followed by a five year neurosurgery residency. Research schools also offer two year research programs as part of seven-year residencies in neurosurgery for M.D.'s interested in pursuing a research-based neurosurgery education. Near the end of your six- to seven-year residency, you will become the chief resident for your final year. After successfully completing your residency, you will be eligible to be hired as a neurosurgeon.