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.