<p>I am pretty much set on becoming a neurosurgeon, and based on some calculations, I know that I might be in my 30s before I will have completed my education and begun my practice. So my question is this: Does anyone know of good programs in places like India (or anywhere actually) where the education is more specialized and I can complete my education in my mid-20s?</p>
<p>After having talked to several people, I am confident that there are excellent institutions outside of the United States who can train motivated and goal-oriented students without the hassle of MCAT exams and applications to medical schools that have very low acceptance rates.</p>
<p>Thanks in advance to anyone who can enlighten me on this issue.</p>
<p>There are several things that I don't think you are taking into serious consideration. First, you need to consider carefully where you want to practise. If you are talking about training outside of the US and then returning to the US to practice you may find that your training is not acceptable to receive board certification or even basic licensure. If you are really sure on being a neurosurgeon and plan on practising in the US, I would contact the major neurosurgical professional society (not sure which one is considered the principal, respected society; I see several on the net) and ask them about your plans and what barriers they would be to returning to practise here. There also is a reason why it takes so long to train as a neurosurgeon and despite what you may think it's not just to limit the field. It's because the training required is not something that you can pick up in a few years but rather requires the many layers of medical school and residency involved. The only short-cuts I would consider are those that combine undergraduate with medical school where you can shave off 2 years. That would be something to consider. Otherwise I would strongly discourage you from your approach.</p>
<p>I want to become a doctor too, but I would never say that I want to FOR SURE persue one certain specialty at this moment. How do you know that you seriously want to become a neurosurgeon if you don't even want to experience the 3rd and 4th year of med school? Those are the years where you get to experience the different types of specialities, but I assume you want to skip that since you want to finish everything in your mid-20s.</p>
<p>Just to be clear, a 6-year undergrad-medical program compresses the undergrad-basic science years, not the clinincal years which are typically 3rd and 4th year.</p>