How Do You Become A Vascular Surgeon?

There was a time when a general surgeon could perform most surgical procedures indicated in a patient's care. Now, the field of general surgery has been greatly subdivided into a number of subspecialties. One of these is vascular surgery--surgery on blood vessels. Because blood vessels are often injured in auto accidents and gunshot wounds, vascular surgeons are often involved in the care of patients with significant trauma. Vascular surgeons deal with some of medicine's highest drama. Step 1 Maintain a high grade point average in high school. Step 2 Apply to a college with a history of placing its graduates in medical school. Once accepted, maintain an even higher grade point than you did in high school. Take the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT). Step 3 Begin to select medical schools to which you want to apply in your junior year of college. Apply to at least three. Step 4 Begin looking at general surgery residencies towards the end of your third year in medical school. Step ...  more