- What books would you recommend?

 

- What specific, special courses can I ask for?

 

- Should I volenteer more in hospitals?

 

 

Excuse me for asking, but what is the starting salary for a neurosurgeon in the United States?

If you want to be a neurosurgeon you have to become a MD first. If you want to be a neuroscientist, i.e. a non-clinical researcher, then you should do a suitable degree - biology, biochemistry, psychology. Actually a lot of neuroscientists orginally did a degree in physics. It's quite multidisciplinary field so there are a lot of ways into it.

 

But it sounds like you want to be a neurosurgeon - go to medical school.

 

I'm the UK, not the US but I think it all works pretty much the same over there.

Be prepared for a lot of school.

 

I mentioned it in another thread but if you want to become a neuroscientist you'll need a Ph.D. So you're looking at 4 years of undergrad, about 5 of thesis work, plus about a 3 year post-doc.

 

The time frame will be similar to become a surgeon (although I know muc less about this career choice). You're looking at about 4 years undergrad, 4 years medical school, then a long residency 4-8 years.

 

Either way you look at it; it'll be tons of school. Just be prepared.