Colleges for Plastic Surgeons

University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)

• Established in 1951, the UCSF plastic surgery program lasts six years. The first three years are dedicated to learning general surgical techniques, while the last three years are dedicated to plastic surgery training. Approximately 45 percent of graduates go on to practice in hospitals, and 55 percent choose to start a private practice.

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

• The UCLA plastic surgery program a top-rated program in the United States, according to U.S. World News & Report. UCLA offers a general plastic surgery residency, but also offers competitive fellowships in craniofacial and microvascular surgery.

Harvard University

• Harvard's plastic surgery residency was started in 1999. In 2010, it was ranked the top plastic surgery program in the United States by U.S. World News & Report. Students complete four-month rotations at Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Children's Hospital and the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. In the last year of the program, trainees assume responsibility as chief resident at one of the four hospitals.

University of Washington (UW)

• UW offers a plastic surgery program that consists of three years of general surgery education and three years of plastic surgery training. Rotations occur in six-month increments between the University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle Children's Hospital, the Seattle Veterans' Administration Puget Sound Health Care System, and Harborview Medical Center. UW also offers competitive fellowships in reconstructive burn surgery, craniofacial surgery and microsurgery.