Article: Even in high school, you can start planning for a career in orthopedic surgery. In fact, the earlier you starting planning, the better. You need to have a high aptitude for school work, which entails testing well, having good study strategies, and learning things quickly.  Plan to maintain a good high school resume—including high grades, high test scores, community service, and clubs and organizations—in order to get into a top college. Your college application should also include an impeccable entrance essay, evidence of personal attributes that will do well in college (i.e. leadership qualities), and letters of recommendation from teachers. Classes that are most directly related to orthopedic surgery in high school might include biology, anatomy and physiology, chemistry, and the Advanced Placement (AP) versions of these courses. In high school and college, you should do your utmost to develop good study habits. These habits will be your key to success in medical school, during your residency, and if you have your own practice. Orthopedic surgeons should have strong skills in study management, self-discipline, memorization, organization, and concentration. All surgeons need to show signs of a mechanical ability, specifically being good with their hands and fingers. Surgery is a delicate skill, especially when operating on the spine. Orthopedic surgeons must have excellent finger coordination. Do things like playing cards, sewing, playing guitar, or making jewelry.  Orthopedic surgeons also need to have extremely good 3-D visualization skills in order to execute successful surgeries. You can develop these spatial skills by practicing drawing, drafting, or even by playing video games.  Orthopedic surgeons are also usually very active individuals, enjoying sports and showing leadership in athletics. The first step after high school for an orthopedic surgeon is to get into a good undergraduate college. Orthopedic surgeons should major in biology, pre-medicine, or a field related to this. After obtaining a Bachelor’s of Science in one of these fields, aspiring surgeons can look toward medical school.  Just as having a strong high school resume was required to get into a good undergraduate program, a strong and well-rounded college resume is required to get into medical school. In order to apply for medical school, undergrads must take the MCAT, a standardized entrance exam that proves you are ready for the rigors of medical school. The MCAT can cost anywhere from $100 to $2,000. After obtaining a BS in biology or pre-med or something similar, and getting a high MCAT score, your next step is to attend medical school. During these four years in medical graduate school, you will earn a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) or Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree. Maintain high grades and skill performance here in order to get a residency.  There are only about 650 residency programs available each year, making this a highly competitive field. The most important part of an orthopedic surgeon’s training is their residency, which should last five years, and specializes in orthopedic practices. Most residencies today include four years of orthopedic surgery training followed by one year of training in general medicine.  The final year of general medicine can be in general surgery, internal medicine, or pediatrics. Some residencies require even more general training, and include only three years of orthopedic training with two years of general medicine.

What is a summary?
Make an education plan. Develop strong study habits. Learn finger dexterity. Complete four years of undergraduate college. Finish four years of medical school. Do a 5-year residency.