The Training You Need, When You Need It

Learn about surgical career pathways, specialty options, Surgery Interest Groups, medical school timelines, and resources for prospective surgical residents.

• So You Want to Be a Surgeon
• Why become a surgeon?
• Surgery Interest Groups & SIG Blueprint for Success  
• Medical Student Educational Modules
• Online Guide to Choosing a Surgical Residency
• National Professional Development Seminars for Medical Students
• Medical School Timeline
• Websites for Prospective Surgical Residents

Access curricula, educational modules, tutorials, and simulation-based skills resources designed to strengthen foundational surgical knowledge and clinical preparation.

• ACS/ASE Medical Student Core Curriculum 
• ACS/ASE Medical Student Simulation-Based Surgical Skills Curriculum 
• Integrated National Curriculum in Surgical Education 
• Medical Student Educational Modules 
• National Tutorial Seminars for Medical Students

Explore professional development opportunities, mentorship and networking resources, electives, and guidance to help you prepare for career decisions during medical school.

• National Professional Development Seminars for Medical Students 
• Medical Student Program at Clinical Congress 
• Mentorship and networking opportunities 
• Electives During Medical School
• Residency application and interview preparation

Find guidance on selecting and evaluating residency programs, working with a residency advisor, preparing for the interview process, understanding residency expectations, and transitioning into surgical training.

• Choosing Your Surgical Residency Advisor 
• Questions to Consider When Choosing Residency Programs
• Residency Interview Process 
• Questions to Ask During Your Residency Interview
• Selecting Residency Programs 
• What to Expect in a Surgical Residency Program 
• Residency Readiness Course
• I Didn’t Match. What’s Next? 
• Successfully Navigating the First Year of Surgical Residency: Essentials for Medical Students and PGY-1 Residents
• Suggested Readings for Residents 
• Financing Education and Loan Repayment
• How many years of postgraduate training do surgical residents undergo?

Discover ACS events, Clinical Congress opportunities, the Medical Student Program, Quick Shot presentations, and other ways to learn, present, and connect nationally. 

• Medical Student Program at Clinical Congress 
  • Quick Shot Presentation Session (ACS) 
  • Medical Student Abstract Guide 
• Clinical Congress registration/Clinical Congress 2026 
• Other ACS Conferences  

Learn how to become a medical student member, connect with medical student leaders, participate in Surgery Interest Groups, update your ACS profile, and subscribe for updates.

• Become a Medical Student Member 
• Medical Student Executive Committee 
  • Contact Anita Johnson for more information. 
• Surgery Interest Groups 
• Update your profile  
• Subscribe for medical student updates  
• Explore Educational Resources for Every Stage of Your Career