Education · 1 of 4
The path
Every doctor's road, a full surgical residency, then a second match into one of the smallest programs in Canada.
- 1
High school
Grades 11 and 12
Top marks in biology, chemistry, math and English. You need a very high average for a science undergrad.
- 2
Bachelor's degree
3 to 4 years
Any major works. Keep a GPA (grade point average) above 3.8, volunteer, do research. Write the MCAT (medical school admission test).
- 3
Medical school, the MD (doctor of medicine)
3 to 4 years
Acceptance rates are 5% to 15%. Classes, then clinical rotations. Surgery and pediatrics electives earn the reference letters that decide the match.
- 4
General surgery residency
5 years
Matched through CaRMS (the residency matching service). Adult surgery: abdomen, breast, trauma, with in-hospital call from year one. Pediatric surgery rotations happen along the way.
- 5
Pediatric surgery subspecialty
2 years
A second match near the end of general surgery. Newborn surgery for birth defects, childhood cancer surgery, trauma, and the everyday: appendix, hernias, swallowed objects. Pass the Royal College exam to become FRCSC (Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada), then register with your provincial College of Physicians and Surgeons.