Undergraduate education (4 years):
- Earn a bachelor's degree in a science-based field, such as biology, chemistry, or physics.
- Maintain a high GPA and demonstrate academic excellence.
- Take the required pre-medical courses, including biology, chemistry, math, physics, and English.
- Participate in extracurricular activities and gain leadership, research, and volunteer experiences to strengthen your application to medical school.
Medical school (4 years):
- Attend an accredited medical school and earn a medical degree (M.D.).
- Complete a comprehensive curriculum covering various aspects of medicine, including courses on anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, pathology, and clinical rotations.
- Score well on the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1.
Neurosurgery residency (7 years):
- Match into a neurosurgery residency program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).
- Complete a rigorous residency program that provides extensive training in neurosurgical techniques, patient care, and research.
- Residents gain experience in various aspects of neurosurgery, including brain tumors, skull base surgery, spine surgery, and trauma.
- During the residency, take and pass the USMLE Step 2 and Step 3.
Fellowship training (1-2 years):
- After completing residency, many neurosurgeons choose to pursue fellowship training in a specialized area of neurosurgery.
- Common fellowships include skull base surgery, cerebrovascular surgery, pediatric neurosurgery, and functional neurosurgery.
- These fellowships provide advanced training and research opportunities in a specific subspecialty.
The total years of training required to become a brain surgeon from undergraduate education to fellowship training is approximately 15-16 years. However, the path may vary depending on the individual's academic progress, residency match results, and choice of fellowship.