This book will be a 'how to' guide for medical students interested in pursuing a career in academic surgery. It will discuss personal traits and rationale for going into academic surgery. It will review accomplishments as a medical student that are key components of beginning an academic career and highlight what makes a student competitive for a surgical program. Sections will be devoted to mentorship, research experience and personal experiences that lead to success. The editors will also focus on gender and work-life balance issues that often are perceived as barriers to a career in academic surgery. It will also provide key dates and sample application information for students to use as templates.