Education · 1 of 4

The path

Every doctor's road, a full surgical residency, then a second match into a tiny subspecialty.

1. 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. 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. 3

   Medical school, the MD (doctor of medicine)

   3 to 4 years

   Acceptance rates are 5% to 15%. Classes, then clinical rotations. Surgery electives earn the reference letters that decide the match.

4. 4

   General surgery residency

   5 years

   Matched through CaRMS (the residency matching service). Abdomen, breast, trauma, and in-hospital call from year one. Cardiac surgery is the other door into thoracic.

5. 5

   Thoracic surgery subspecialty

   2 to 3 years

   A second match near the end of general surgery. Lung cancer resections, esophagus surgery, keyhole and robotic chest surgery, airway work, chest trauma. 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.