What Can I do Now to Start Preparing to be a Neurological/Thoracic Surgeon?

[ahellwig]

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Hello hSDN,

Right now I'm in eighth grade (middle school) and I will begin to attend high school this August. I am already taking an "Introduction to Healthcare" class next year, and I was wondering if there is anything else I can do to start preparing to be a neurosurgeon or thoracic surgeon. I wont be able to volunteer at a hospital (doing any job) until next September. Thanks for any help!

 

[AntiHouseMD]

Hold the brakes. You're not even in high school yet, and you're worried about how to become a neurosurgeon. There is PLENTY (notice the emphasis) of time before you have to worry about becoming a doctor, let alone becoming a brain surgeon. Enjoy your time in high school; you only get it once. Just have a general idea of what you want to do (healthcare is a good focus), and decide on the specifics later. I know where you're coming from; I was the same way. But don't create such a narrow mindset where you'll ignore other career areas that you might be interested in as well.

With that being said, here's my advice for you. In high school, you should try to take advanced placement science classes. AP Biology and AP Chemistry are good examples. Although you can't take the credit in college, it'll be a good introduction to your college classes. You should probably take these during junior and senior years (I'm taking APC in senior year, FWIW). The introduction to healthcare class is a good idea, as you'll get a taste of whether healthcare is a good fit for you.

Take classes that interest you and pay attention to your grades. The biggest thing with high school is to get into a good undergrad college. Your pre-med work won't' begin until undergrad anyway. Enjoy the time you have (and I can't emphasize this enough). One of the things I regret looking back is not getting involved in as many things. I'm going to make up for it in college, but you should do it now. Join a club or two that you're interested in. It'll look good for your resume, and it'll be a good way to stay unstressed and maintain a grip on your social life.

Remember that I'm only a high school senior, so I'm not the best resource for medical school or anything like that. I'd be more than happy to answer questions about high school or college applications (undergrad only) if you have anything else. Good luck!

 

[Shinobiz11]

Basically what AntiHouseMD said. Relax. Take it easy. Have fun. Don't waste your time worrying about medical school or anything right now. Just get good grades in high school so you can get into a decent college, get some scholarships, etc. Volunteering is fine. Do some more research on the career. Maybe do some shadowing to make sure its really what you want to do.

Check out this NOVA series from a couple years back. It basically describes the life of med students and follows them until present day to show where they are. It is very insightful and interesting. I am not trying to discourage you or anything, I just want to give you a realistic view of the profession. Best of luck to you!

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/body/doctors-diaries.html

Inside Access is another cool show which gives like a overview of various specialties and some surgeries. UWTV has a lot of medical programming too.

http://www.uwtv.org/video/series.aspx?id=1549962078

 

[ahellwig]

Hold the brakes. You're not even in high school yet, and you're worried about how to become a neurosurgeon. There is PLENTY (notice the emphasis) of time before you have to worry about becoming a doctor, let alone becoming a brain surgeon. Enjoy your time in high school; you only get it once. Just have a general idea of what you want to do (healthcare is a good focus), and decide on the specifics later. I know where you're coming from; I was the same way. But don't create such a narrow mindset where you'll ignore other career areas that you might be interested in as well.

With that being said, here's my advice for you. In high school, you should try to take advanced placement science classes. AP Biology and AP Chemistry are good examples. Although you can't take the credit in college, it'll be a good introduction to your college classes. You should probably take these during junior and senior years (I'm taking APC in senior year, FWIW). The introduction to healthcare class is a good idea, as you'll get a taste of whether healthcare is a good fit for you.

Take classes that interest you and pay attention to your grades. The biggest thing with high school is to get into a good undergrad college. Your pre-med work won't' begin until undergrad anyway. Enjoy the time you have (and I can't emphasize this enough). One of the things I regret looking back is not getting involved in as many things. I'm going to make up for it in college, but you should do it now. Join a club or two that you're interested in. It'll look good for your resume, and it'll be a good way to stay unstressed and maintain a grip on your social life.

Remember that I'm only a high school senior, so I'm not the best resource for medical school or anything like that. I'd be more than happy to answer questions about high school or college applications (undergrad only) if you have anything else. Good luck!

Thanks for your reply!

I am in the Latin Honor Society and am in a band, plus some other extracurricular. I am taking Honors Biology next year as well. Also, I have a question about pre-med. What are some good pre-med majors? Is there actually a major called "Pre-Medical" or just "Biology"? If that is the case, would biochemistry or physics make a good undergrad major?

 

[JPodel]

Thanks for your reply!

I am in the Latin Honor Society and am in a band, plus some other extracurricular. I am taking Honors Biology next year as well. Also, I have a question about pre-med. What are some good pre-med majors? Is there actually a major called "Pre-Medical" or just "Biology"? If that is the case, would biochemistry or physics make a good undergrad major?

No major is called "Pre-Medical Major". Pre-med majors vary from Biology, Chemistry, English, Psychology, History and many more. You don't have to major anything science related to get into med school, you just need to add on the pre-med reqs. As everyone else stated, relax, if you keep researching this stuff, the chances of you not liking this field will increase. Wait till your sophomore, junior or even senior year. For now, you need to take 12.5mg of Chillax for about 2 years until you are a sophomore. LOL Take care

 

[CeeEstee0]

A 'Pre-Med' major is usually just taking the pre-reqs and some general studies courses, along with whatever else you fancy. The degree is General Studies/Interdisciplinary Sciences or some such. The reason so many people major in Biology is because most of it is rote memorization and you usually knock out two pre-reqs in the degree itself. (GenChem, GenBio). The general opinion is to major in what you can sustain interest in, and score well in for four years. To your question, BioChem, Bio, Chem, and Physics are all fine majors. What do you want to do?

 

[MilkmanAl]

I agree with what AntiHouse said except that you don't (or didn't 9 years ago, anyway) have to report your AP scores or claim credit for them. I would suggest taking those classes again in college since they'll be easy A's. On a related note, going to a prestigious college is nowhere near as important as going somewhere you will be successful. Honestly, I'd recommend going somewhere cheap and really easy so you can have a lot of fun with minimal debt while you cruise to a high GPA.

 

[SnowyRox]

Win on a varsity sports team so that you can get recruited by your state college and attend for free.

 

[ahellwig]

Win on a varsity sports team so that you can get recruited by your state college and attend for free.

I wish, I was never too great at sports other than rugby, which my high school doesn't have a team for. Plus, I have the Georgia HOPE Scholarship to fall back on.

I agree with what AntiHouse said except that you don't (or didn't 9 years ago, anyway) have to report your AP scores or claim credit for them. I would suggest taking those classes again in college since they'll be easy A's. On a related note, going to a prestigious college is nowhere near as important as going somewhere you will be successful. Honestly, I'd recommend going somewhere cheap and really easy so you can have a lot of fun with minimal debt while you cruise to a high GPA.

Would that hinder my ability to get into a good medical school; going to a cheaper school for a high GPA?

 

[SitraAchra]

Would that hinder my ability to get into a good medical school; going to a cheaper school for a high GPA?

No. Any 4-year accredited university is fine, just make A's. The MCAT is the great equalizer. Also don't call yourself a future Neurosurgeon or Thoracic Surgeon because you're more than double your lifetime away from even being close to that goal. Just focus on doing well in high school, making friends, and finding out who you are.

 

[auburnO5]

Start reading FA and do UWorld ASAP.

 

[auburnO5]

But seriously, enjoy high school. Don't even think about medical school. Really.

You are so far away from becoming a neurosurgeon that it's not even funny. And I don't mean to insult you, I'm sure you are a bright student. But the chances that you will actually become a neurosurgeon are about 0.00001%.

Enjoy high school. It's awesome. Then enjoy college, it's even better. Make solid grades in college, but even that is so far away for you. You just need to be carefree and enjoy life.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

All you really should do outside of taking a few AP courses is develop as a person and individual. Take classes that interest you, partake in interesting activities, read good novels, make good friends, etc.
There's very little you should do to prepare yourself above that. Also do what you need to get a good gpa in high school so you can go to a decent college with a decent scholarship.

 

[sector9]

Hold the brakes.

This x 1000

 

[auburnO5]

slam the brakes.

fify

 

[I'm No Superman]

Hey, you might want to take your name off of your signature...

 

[Shinobiz11]

Be humble.

 

[imymemine]

not sure what i am doing in hSDN but since i'm here, i disagree with most of things people are saying in this thread and want to help point a youngster in the right direction. if you want to be a neurosurgeon, or be successful in any other field or industry for that matter, "just having fun" should not be your philosophy. your goal should be to do as well as humanly possible in school, to distinguish yourself outside of the classroom as through athletics, music, service, whatever you are interested in, and then--in your precious spare time--have a little bit of fun. if you want to beat the odds to become a neurosurgeon THIS should be your life life philosophy, and it's not something you can just flip a switch and turn on ten years from now, you should adopt this mantra into your life now.

nor should you "wait 4-6 years and then start really thinking." what i think most people are saying is that you are young and have a lot of life experiences to come that will shape your life goals. but that shouldn't stop you from dreaming big now--thinking critically about your future and constantly revising your plans along the way is an important part of the journey. the ability to make important life decisions is an acquired skill, not something that just happens to you later in life. "not thinking" and putting things off is never a good philosophy to have.

nor should you be okay with settling for "any accredited four year university." if you want to turn down harvard to save money or whatever that is debatable, but your goal should be to excel and be accepted to the best schools possible. your goal should not be to look for shortcuts because you are scared of failure, your goal should be to beat challenges as they come along because you have the drive and talent to do it.

there was a young man i grew up with who in junior high who decided he wanted to be a surgeon someday. he read everything he could, he outworked everyone through high school and college, got into a top medical school, outworked everyone and excelled there, and just last week matched to neurosurgery. never along the way did this guy think it was okay to "just have fun and worry about things later."

are there some people who cruise through high school and college and don't decide they want to be doctors until much later, but still make it as neurosurgeons? i'm sure there are. but if you have a dream now, a lucky few's successes shouldn't encourage you to take it easy or sell yourself short for the next 10 years.

tl;dr don't take it easy, don't settle, don't sell yourself short, believe in the dream and be determined to excel

 

[JPodel]

not sure what i am doing in hSDN but since i'm here, i disagree with most of things people are saying in this thread and want to help point a youngster in the right direction. if you want to be a neurosurgeon, or be successful in any other field or industry for that matter, "just having fun" should not be your philosophy. your goal should be to do as well as humanly possible in school, to distinguish yourself outside of the classroom as through athletics, music, service, whatever you are interested in, and then--in your precious spare time--have a little bit of fun. if you want to beat the odds to become a neurosurgeon THIS should be your life life philosophy, and it's not something you can just flip a switch and turn on ten years from now, you should adopt this mantra into your life now.

nor should you "wait 4-6 years and then start really thinking." what i think most people are saying is that you are young and have a lot of life experiences to come that will shape your life goals. but that shouldn't stop you from dreaming big now--thinking critically about your future and constantly revising your plans along the way is an important part of the journey. the ability to make important life decisions is an acquired skill, not something that just happens to you later in life. "not thinking" and putting things off is never a good philosophy to have.

nor should you be okay with settling for "any accredited four year university." if you want to turn down harvard to save money or whatever that is debatable, but your goal should be to excel and be accepted to the best schools possible. your goal should not be to look for shortcuts because you are scared of failure, your goal should be to beat challenges as they come along because you have the drive and talent to do it.

there was a young man i grew up with who in junior high who decided he wanted to be a surgeon someday. he read everything he could, he outworked everyone through high school and college, got into a top medical school, outworked everyone and excelled there, and just last week matched to neurosurgery. never along the way did this guy think it was okay to "just have fun and worry about things later."

are there some people who cruise through high school and college and don't decide they want to be doctors until much later, but still make it as neurosurgeons? i'm sure there are. but if you have a dream now, a lucky few's successes shouldn't encourage you to take it easy or sell yourself short for the next 10 years.

tl;dr don't take it easy, don't settle, don't sell yourself short, believe in the dream and be determined to excel

👍👍😀

 

[auburnO5]

not sure what i am doing in hSDN but since i'm here, i disagree with most of things people are saying in this thread and want to help point a youngster in the right direction. if you want to be a neurosurgeon, or be successful in any other field or industry for that matter, "just having fun" should not be your philosophy. your goal should be to do as well as humanly possible in school, to distinguish yourself outside of the classroom as through athletics, music, service, whatever you are interested in, and then--in your precious spare time--have a little bit of fun. if you want to beat the odds to become a neurosurgeon THIS should be your life life philosophy, and it's not something you can just flip a switch and turn on ten years from now, you should adopt this mantra into your life now.

nor should you "wait 4-6 years and then start really thinking." what i think most people are saying is that you are young and have a lot of life experiences to come that will shape your life goals. but that shouldn't stop you from dreaming big now--thinking critically about your future and constantly revising your plans along the way is an important part of the journey. the ability to make important life decisions is an acquired skill, not something that just happens to you later in life. "not thinking" and putting things off is never a good philosophy to have.

nor should you be okay with settling for "any accredited four year university." if you want to turn down harvard to save money or whatever that is debatable, but your goal should be to excel and be accepted to the best schools possible. your goal should not be to look for shortcuts because you are scared of failure, your goal should be to beat challenges as they come along because you have the drive and talent to do it.

there was a young man i grew up with who in junior high who decided he wanted to be a surgeon someday. he read everything he could, he outworked everyone through high school and college, got into a top medical school, outworked everyone and excelled there, and just last week matched to neurosurgery. never along the way did this guy think it was okay to "just have fun and worry about things later."

are there some people who cruise through high school and college and don't decide they want to be doctors until much later, but still make it as neurosurgeons? i'm sure there are. but if you have a dream now, a lucky few's successes shouldn't encourage you to take it easy or sell yourself short for the next 10 years.

tl;dr don't take it easy, don't settle, don't sell yourself short, believe in the dream and be determined to excel

I feel sorry for you, I really do.

 

[musclemilk619]

I feel sorry for you, I really do.

Lmao

 

[QuizzicalApe]

Ignore imymemine.

The advice you had received was to enjoy yourself and just worry about doing well in high school. This is a good kind of advice, because other than learning how to be a good learner and setting yourself up to get into the college of you choice, there's not a heck of a lot you can do to get meaningful clinical experience or endear yourself to med schools at this point. You're too young to do a lot of stuff, and med schools don't really care about things you've done prior to college.

That being said, if you find activities that you can do that you would find to be interesting, fun, personally enriching, etc. then by all means, go for it.

The advice to the contrary, that you must avoid having fun (which must have been the point, since imymemine had expressed disagreement with with "have fun and be a good student") is just telling you to find the nearest stick and keep it up your ass forever.

There may be a pot of gold at the end of that autism spectrum rainbow, but if you don't enjoy the 4 years of high school, 4 years of college, and 4 years of med school, I don't see how you'd have the energy left to pretend to still have joy in some obscure corner of an obsessive heart at the end of a 7 year neurosurgery residency.

Tldr version: at each stage of the game, just be focused on setting yourself up for maximum success in the next stage. You can afford to start casting a longer look forward when you hit college. If clinical exposure and shadowing still tells you to go CT/neurosurg (and that would be a decent time to try some preliminary exposure to relevant stuff) it could be a good time to attach yourself like a little limpet to a lab doing relevant research to set yourself up for a lifetime of more of the same.

Also have fun don't be a humorless dick 🙂