Education · 1 of 4

The path

Every doctor's road, then a direct-entry surgical residency.

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. Urology electives and reference letters decide the match.

4. 4

   Urology residency

   5 years

   Direct entry from medical school through CaRMS (the residency matching service). Surgical foundations first, then kidney stones, prostate and bladder cancer, kidney cancer, incontinence, transplant and children's urology.

5. 5

   Royal College exam, licence, often a fellowship

   1 to 2 years

   Pass the Royal College exam to become FRCSC (Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada). Register with your provincial College of Physicians and Surgeons. Many add a 1 to 2 year fellowship.