What undergrad do I need for anesthesiology?

To become an anesthesiologist (an M.D. or D.O.), you need a bachelor's degree in any major, but science-focused degrees like Biology, Chemistry, or Biochemistry are recommended because they cover crucial pre-med requirements for medical school, such as biology, chemistry, physics, and math. While any major works if you complete the prerequisites, a strong science foundation helps build understanding of physiology, pharmacology, and the human body for medical school and residency.

What bachelor's degree do I need to become an anesthesiologist?

Simply put, there are no undergraduate degree programs in anesthesiology. If you are interested in working as an anesthesiologist, you will need to take undergraduate courses on a pre-med track or attend nursing school. Core courses for pre-med students include: Biology.

What classes should I take if I want to be an anesthesiologist?

Becoming an anesthesiologist requires 12-14+ years of training: a 4-year bachelor's degree (pre-med), 4 years of medical school (MD/DO), and a 4-year anesthesiology residency, plus optional 1-2 year fellowship for subspecialties (like pain, cardiac, pediatric), followed by state licensure and board certification exams. This extensive path ensures specialized knowledge in administering anesthesia, managing pain, and critical care for complex medical procedures. 

What is the best college to go to if you want to be an anesthesiologist?

Top Schools for Anesthesiology

1. Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Known for its strong emphasis on research and innovation in anesthesiology. ...
2. Harvard Medical School. ...
3. University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine. ...
4. Stanford University School of Medicine. ...
5. Duke University.

Do anesthesiologists make 7 figures?

With an average annual salary of $450,000, California tops the list of the highest-paying states for Anesthesiologists, followed by New York at $440,000 and Texas at $407,820.

So You Want to Be an ANESTHESIOLOGIST [Ep. 12]

Is anesthesiology a lot of math?

The ability to perform precise mathematical calculations quickly is of paramount importance throughout the course of a clinical career. On a day-to-day basis, the anesthesiologist will compute drug doses, drug concentrations, and various physiologic formulae.

Can an anesthesiologist make 800k?

Yes, anesthesiologists can definitely make $800k or more, with high earners reaching over $1 million, though averages are typically in the $480k-$540k range; achieving $800k often requires working in high-demand areas, taking extra shifts (call), joining private practices, or securing lucrative contracts, especially in states like California, Florida, or the Southeast.
 

What is the #1 pre-med school in the US?

There's no single "official" #1 pre-med school, but Harvard University, Johns Hopkins University, and Duke University consistently rank at the top due to exceptional advising, research access, clinical opportunities in top hospitals, and high medical school acceptance rates, often exceeding 90% for top applicants. Other perennial contenders include the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn), Stanford, UPenn, Columbia, and Northwestern, all offering strong science programs and support for aspiring doctors.
 

What major should I pick for anesthesiology?

Since you can't major in anesthesiology at the undergraduate level, you may be wondering, “What bachelor's degree should I get to become an anesthesiologist?” You have several options. Many students choose science-related majors — like pre-med, chemistry, or biology — to build a strong foundation for medical school.

Which major is best for pre-med?

While biology and chemistry are typically considered the best pre-med majors, pursuing a non-traditional path can set you apart from other applicants. Majors such as English, anthropology, or even art history might not seem like the obvious choice, but they allow you to develop a unique set of skills.

What is the best pre-med major for anesthesiologist?

Becoming an anesthesiologist takes dedication and time. It starts with a four-year undergraduate degree. While you can major in anything, focusing on pre-med or sciences like biology or chemistry helps. You'll need strong grades in important pre-med courses like biology, chemistry, physics, and math.

Is there a lot of chemistry in anesthesiology?

The author's statements that chemistry plays a significant role in anesthesiology and that it is the most widely reflected fundamental science in medicine certainly are truisms.

How much school is needed to be an anesthesiologist?

To ensure they can provide optimal and safe care to patients, aspiring anesthesiologists undergo extensive education and training. Anesthesiologists spend 12 to 14 years in school and training after high school.

Is anesthesiology a hard major?

Overall, becoming an anesthesiologist is a challenging but rewarding career path. With dedication, hard work, and the right training, you can build a successful career in this exciting field.

How to get a bachelor's degree for anesthesiologist?

While the steps to complete a bachelor's degree may vary depending on the program, they usually involve these key actions and requirements:

1. Earn a high-school diploma or equivalent. ...
2. Take standardized tests. ...
3. Select an area of study or program. ...
4. Apply to colleges. ...
5. Earn an associate degree. ...
6. Complete the required coursework.

Why is anesthesiology so highly paid?

Anesthesiologists earn high salaries due to extensive, demanding training (12-15+ years), critical patient safety responsibilities (managing life support during surgery), high demand vs. supply, and complex skills in pharmacology and physiology, justifying their significant risk and expertise in ensuring patient comfort and stability during procedures. Their pay reflects their vital role in maintaining stable vitals and managing pain, requiring constant attention and quick decision-making, with higher pay for complex cases or specialized areas like pain management or pediatrics. 

Is anesthesiology mostly math?

Although arithmetic is the foundation of anesthesiology, calculus also has some significance, though a smaller one. Anesthesiologists may encounter calculus while studying pharmacology, or the study of how medications move through the body.

How competitive is anesthesiology now?

Anesthesiology is not the most competitive specialty, but it is considered to be in the top 10. In 2025, the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) had a record-breaking number of applicants. Match data shows that 1,804 of 1,805 anesthesiology positions were filled.

What is the path to become an anesthesiologist?

Although physician anesthesiologists complete a minimum of eight years of medical training after college, following residency, many also complete an additional fellowship year of specialty training in specific areas such as pain management, cardiac anesthesia, pediatric anesthesia, neuroanesthesia, obstetric anesthesia ...

What's the hardest pre-med major?

Other challenging pre-med majors include biochemistry, neuroscience, and molecular biology, which are very content-heavy and demand deep understanding of complex systems. These majors often require additional upper-level science courses beyond the standard pre-med requirements, increasing the difficulty.

Is a 3.7 GPA too low for med school?

No, a 3.7 GPA is generally considered strong and competitive for medical school, but it's not a guarantee and becomes much stronger when paired with a high MCAT score and a robust science GPA. While MD school matriculant averages hover around 3.8+, a 3.7 is above the applicant average, especially if you show an upward trend in your grades, but a lower science GPA (BCPM) could raise concerns. 

What's the best undergrad for med school?

The best undergraduate major for medical school isn't one specific field, but rather a path where you excel and complete prerequisites like biology, chemistry, physics, and math, with Biology being the most common major due to course overlap. While science majors (Biochemistry, Neuroscience, Psychology) are popular and build strong foundations, unique majors like English or Sociology can help you stand out, as long as you maintain a high GPA, do well on the MCAT, and show commitment to medicine through extracurriculars. 

What is the lowest paid anesthesiologist?

Average Full-Time Anesthesiologist Salary

• The highest were in the $1,000,000 a year range.
• The lowest were around $200,000.
• The median salary was $500,000.

Do anesthesiologists work 12 hour shifts?

Yes, anesthesiologists frequently work 12-hour shifts, often as part of longer shifts (like 24 hours on call) or in combination with 8-hour shifts to cover nights, weekends, and emergencies in hospitals, though many also find roles with more standard hours in surgery centers or private practice. The specific schedule depends heavily on the work setting, but long shifts, call duties, and variable hours are common in hospitals to ensure 24/7 coverage for surgical needs. 

How much debt to become an anesthesiologist?

How much debt do anesthesiologists have? Medical school grads–including anesthesiology students–carry over $240,000 in average federal student debt. Considering their high salaries, income-driven repayment plans* don't work for most of these individuals with some exceptions.