How competitive is a general surgery residency?

General Surgery residency is highly competitive, considered one of the more challenging fields, with a high volume of applicants per spot (around 1.5:1 in recent years), excellent match rates (nearly 100% for U.S. MDs), and a strong emphasis on high USMLE scores, research, publications, and strong letters of recommendation for top programs. While generally competitive, it's less so than fields like Neurosurgery but tougher than Internal Medicine, with specific challenges for DO and International Medical Graduates (IMGs).

Is it hard to get a surgical residency?

The odds of an IMG getting any US Surgical residency are slim to none. The top US grads compete for the highly desired residencies. All surgical residencies are highly desired. US med grads get first priority for US residencies.

What are the most competitive surgical residencies?

The 10 Most Competitive Residency Programs in 2025

• Dermatology.
• Neurosurgery.
• Plastic Surgery.
• Radiation Oncology.
• Diagnostic Radiology.
• Orthopedic Surgery.
• Interventional Radiology.
• Otolaryngology.

How many people drop out of general surgery residency?

General surgery residency attrition rates are relatively high, often cited between 12% to 20% over five years, with some studies showing even higher figures, and are generally higher than other surgical specialties, with common reasons being lifestyle challenges, a move to other specialties, or burnout, disproportionately affecting women and minority residents.
 

Do surgeons make 1 million a year?

Yes, many surgeons, especially in high-demand specialties like neurosurgery, orthopedic surgery, and cardiovascular surgery, can earn over $1 million annually, though this often requires long hours, high efficiency, and sometimes owning part of a practice or generating extra income from consulting or business ventures, with averages in these fields often exceeding $600,000-$800,000. While the average surgeon earns significantly less, top performers in lucrative fields or those who run their own successful private practices can reach seven figures. 

How to Ace Your General Surgery Residency Interview

What doctor makes $500,000 a year?

Doctors in surgical and high-demand procedural specialties frequently earn over $500,000 annually, with top earners often being Neurosurgery, Orthopedic Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Cardiology, and Thoracic Surgery, driven by complex skills, high demand (especially with aging populations), and lucrative elective procedures or emergency needs. Other fields like Radiology, Gastroenterology, Urology, and Anesthesiology also see average incomes exceeding this threshold.
 

Do doctors work 7 days on 7 days off?

Yes, many hospital-based doctors, especially hospitalists, work a common "7 days on, 7 days off" schedule, working long shifts (often 12 hours) for a week, including weekends, then having a full week off, which allows for long periods of rest but can lead to burnout during work weeks. This schedule ensures continuity of care for patients but is just one model, with other specialties like emergency medicine or surgery having different patterns, and some doctors even prefer more frequent, shorter shifts.
 

What is the hardest surgery residency?

What are some of the Hardest Residency Specialties to Match?

• Neurosurgery.
• Orthopedic Surgery.
• Ophthalmology.
• Otolaryngology (ENT)
• Plastic Surgery.
• Urology.
• Radiation Oncology.
• Interventional Radiology.

Is general surgery in high demand?

Despite the rising demand for surgeons, the number of general surgeons entering the workforce is not keeping up with the pace. AAMC, known as the Association of American Medical Colleges, has projected a shortage of between 15,800 and 30,200 surgeons in the United States by 2034.

What's the easiest residency to get into?

The easiest residencies to get into generally fall under primary care and other less competitive fields like Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, and Pathology, due to higher demand, more available spots, and sometimes lower score requirements compared to surgical specialties. Family Medicine is often cited as the most accessible due to high demand and shorter training. However, it's crucial to balance "ease" with your genuine interest and long-term career goals.
 

What are the chillest residencies?

Some of the least competitive residencies are:

• Family Medicine.
• Internal Medicine.
• Psychiatry.
• Emergency Medicine.
• Pathology.

Which surgeon is most in demand?

Plastic Surgeon. Plastic Surgeons are in demand fields that will increase more in the upcoming years, as they deal with a wide range of conditions, including congenital abnormalities, aesthetic problems, and traumatic injuries.

What is the best college for general surgery?

Best Medical Schools for Surgery in the US

• The University of California-Los Angeles Medical School.
• Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.
• Yale School of Medicine.
• The University of Pittsburgh Medical School.
• Emory University Medical School.
• Baylor College of Medicine.
• Cornell University Medical School.

How old is the average surgical resident?

Surgical Training

According to the responses, the training of surgical residents starts between the ages of 24 and 30 (average age 26.5). The training period varies between 5 and 10 years (average 6 years).

How hard is it to match into general surgery?

In 2022, the categorical general surgery match rate for US seniors (4th year medical students in the US applying to the match) was 72% (1059/1467), 53% for DO seniors (212/397), and 29% (348/1207) for other applicants (US IMGs, non-US IMGs, and MD grads (1).

Do surgeons make money during residency?

Earnings vary by specialty. Orthopedic surgery residents average $60,700 a year, general surgery residents make $61,000 a year, residents in plastic surgery and aesthetic medicine make $65,600, and specialized surgery residents have an average annual salary of $65,700.

Which surgeon had a 300% mortality rate?

A surgeon with a "300% mortality rate" refers to a famous, likely exaggerated, story about Scottish surgeon Robert Liston in the 1800s, where an amputation supposedly killed the patient, his assistant (whose fingers he accidentally cut off), and a spectator who died of shock, making it the only surgery with more deaths than people involved, though primary sources are lacking, notes www.fibonaccimd.com. 

Can surgeons make 1 million a year?

Yes, many surgeons, especially in high-demand specialties like neurosurgery, orthopedic surgery, and cardiovascular surgery, can earn over $1 million annually, though this often requires long hours, high efficiency, and sometimes owning part of a practice or generating extra income from consulting or business ventures, with averages in these fields often exceeding $600,000-$800,000. While the average surgeon earns significantly less, top performers in lucrative fields or those who run their own successful private practices can reach seven figures. 

What are the disadvantages of being a GP?

Administrative burden – GPs often have a significant administrative workload, including medical note-taking, insurance documentation, and coordination with other healthcare providers. These administrative tasks can be time-consuming and detract from direct patient care.

What are the top 3 riskiest surgeries?

The three riskiest surgeries often involve the most delicate organs and complex procedures, commonly including brain surgery, open-heart (cardiac) surgery, and major organ transplants, due to high precision requirements and severe potential complications like hemorrhage, permanent neurological damage, or organ rejection. Other highly risky procedures frequently cited are aortic aneurysm repair, spinal surgery, and complex cancer surgeries, depending on the specific case. 

What is the rarest surgeon?

These highly specialized fields often require years of additional training, making them less attractive to many medical professionals. For example, oral and maxillofacial surgery and plastic surgery are both considered among the rarest specialties in medicine.

Why is general surgery residency so long?

General surgery residency typically lasts five years, though it may extend for those pursuing specialized fellowships or additional research. Each year builds progressively, from mastering foundational skills to managing complex surgeries independently.

What is the most overworked doctor?

Emergency medicine physicians experience the most intense burnout, with the highest emotional fatigue (68%) and depersonalization (55%). Therapists reported the next-highest rate of emotional fatigue at 61%, along with the highest mental fatigue (77%).

What is the golden rule for doctors?

But the essence of medical ethics, the golden rule, has been largely overlooked or undervalued: “Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them” (Matthew 7:12). If man lived alone, a code of ethics would be superfluous; only in society does it become requisite and intelligible.

Is being a doctor a 9 to 5 job?

No, most doctors do not work a standard 9-to-5; their hours are often long, irregular, and include nights, weekends, and on-call shifts, varying greatly by specialty, with roles like ER or OB/GYN having less fixed schedules, while some outpatient or VA physicians might find more 9-to-5 opportunities, though still typically exceeding 40 hours weekly.