Education · 1 of 4

The path

You become a general surgeon first. Pediatric surgery is a fellowship on top of that.

1. 1

   High school

   Grades 11 and 12

   Biology, chemistry, physics and math, with the grades for a college where you can hold a very high grade point average.

2. 2

   Bachelor's degree

   4 years

   Any major, as long as you finish the pre-medical science courses and sit the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT).

3. 3

   Medical school

   4 years

   Classroom science then hospital rotations, ending in a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO).

4. 4

   General surgery residency

   5 years

   Five years of operating, on call, across trauma, cancer, vascular and everything else. Many trainees add research years on top.

5. 5

   Pediatric surgery fellowship

   2 years

   Two more years in an accredited program. It is one of the most competitive fellowships in American medicine.

6. 6

   Board certification

   During and after fellowship

   The American Board of Surgery requires certification in general surgery first, then a pediatric surgery qualifying exam and a certifying exam.