Becoming a plastic surgeon requires 14 years of intense training and dedication. High school students should focus on science-related fields and maintain good grades to get into medical school. After medical school, general surgical and specialized training is required, as well as passing certification exams.
While the idea of becoming a plastic surgeon sounds lucrative and exciting, it’s not a career for the faint of heart. The fourteen years of training usually required to achieve this goal is intense, and someone who wants to become a plastic surgeon must examine whether they are willing and able to put in the long hours and dedication required to complete the training. Some ways to gauge whether this career might be a good fit include interviewing medical students, talking to plastic surgeons, or volunteering at a hospital or clinic.
A person who wants to become a plastic surgeon should start planning their high school career by focusing on getting a solid academic record. In addition, he or she should build solid foundations for college and medical school by studying advanced science courses like biology, chemistry, and physics and taking advanced math courses. Not taking these courses in high school will require more work in college and medical school. While training and certification requirements to become a plastic surgeon can vary from country to country, nearly all countries will require a person to complete advanced education and training to become a plastic surgeon.
After finishing high school, a person who wants to become a plastic surgeon will need to complete a four-year undergraduate degree at an accredited college. Although an undergraduate degree in a specific field is not usually required to study medicine, a student should elect a course that focuses on science-related fields. Popular specialties include pre-medicine, biology, chemistry or physics.
Admission to medical schools is competitive, so it is essential that a person desiring to become a cosmetic surgeon maintains a high grade point average in college. Additionally, as each medical school has specific requirements for admission, aspiring plastic surgeons should review the medical schools that interest them to determine which schools may be the best fit and whether the college’s courses will meet the schools’ prerequisites. Typically, prospective medical school students start the medical school application process towards the end of their college years.
In addition to earning a relevant college degree and maintaining good grades, an individual looking to become a cosmetic surgeon will usually need to take a standardized entrance exam, such as the Medical School Admissions Test (MCAT), before being admitted to the medical school. medicine. The MCAT is a standardized, multiple-choice test that helps medical school admissions committees determine which students are likely to do well in medical school. Admission requirements vary by country, but most are very selective.
Once admitted to medical school, medical students will complete a program that usually lasts at least four years. During the first two years of school, medical students attend lectures and classroom labs focusing on basic sciences. Students then work with patients in a clinical setting, under the supervision of a physician. Next, students often complete elective clinical rotations, which offer a chance to further explore specialties. After completing medical school, the physician receives a degree, such as a Physician (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO).
After medical school, an individual looking to become a plastic surgeon may spend three years undertaking general surgical training and two or three years of specialized training in the field of plastic surgery. Also, to practice as a plastic surgeon, a candidate may need to pass certain certification exams. In the United States, for example, a candidate will need to pass the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) as well as a certification exam administered by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS).
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