Neurosurgeons perform extremely complex medical operations on the brain, spinal cord and other components of the nervous system. They treat individuals suffering from all kinds of neurological conditions and diseases, such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, schizophrenia, and epilepsy. Successful neurosurgeons must be patient, confident and rational individuals who exhibit solid judgment and surgical skills. They must be passionate about their work and care deeply about their patients. They also need the stamina and commitment to complete the long, arduous training process, which typically takes at least 13 years.

1- Start preparing for the career while still in high school. Excel in mathematics, biology, physics, chemistry, anatomy and psychology courses. Volunteer at a local hospital and start thinking seriously about how you are going to pursue this challenging career.

2- Choose an appropriate college or university and apply for admission into the undergraduate school. Base your decision on the quality of the school's math and science departments, and if possible choose a school with a strong undergraduate neuroscience program. Consider other factors such as cost, distance from home, lifestyle, size of the school and matriculation statistics.

3- Obtain a bachelor's degree in one of the natural sciences and complete requirements for med school. These requirements typically include coursework in biology, organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, anatomy, calculus and English. Strive for a diverse liberal arts curriculum with plenty of elective courses in the humanities, social sciences and fine arts. Medical schools like to accept well-rounded individuals.

4- Take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) exam. Your scores on this exam are one of the main deciding factors in your acceptance into medical school and you should plan to spend at least six months preparing for it. Schools use the MCAT to predict your chances of success in medical school.

5- Choose and apply to a medical school with a strong neuroscience department and plenty of course offerings in this area. Again, consider other factors as well, such as cost, prestige, size of the school and available facilities.

6- Complete medical school and take the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Take classes related to neuroscience whenever you have the option. All aspiring doctors, including neurosurgeons, are required by law to pass the USMLE before they can practice. This exam tests an individual's knowledge of medical theories, practices and techniques.

7- Enter into a residency program with a focus on neurosurgery. Residencies for neurosurgeons are long and challenging due to the complex procedures, technology and concepts involved. Most take between six and eight years to complete. Stay focused and decide what area you want to specialize in.

8- Complete any additional training required for your specialization. You may choose to specialize in cancer treatment, pediatric neurosurgery, sleep disorders, meningocele repair, craniotomy or other area. Specialization usually requires at least one additional year of training.

9- Become an active contributor to the neurosurgeon and medical community at large. Many successful neurosurgeons don't just perform surgeries. They also contribute research in the field, teach classes to med students and lead seminars.