Neurology

Overview of Residency Training

To become a neurologist, four years of residency training are required. Only the latter three years are spent fully immersed in neurology, and residents must first complete an internship or postgraduate year 1 (PGY1). This preliminary year can be completed in medicine (i.e., medicine preliminary year). Some residents choose to complete this year in a transitional program.

According to the AMA and AAMC, there are over 1,800 residents training in 132 ACGME-accredited neurology residency programs. Fifty-seven percent are USMDs, 36% are international medical graduates, and 7% are osteopathic graduates.
 

2010 Match Data
 
U.S seniors are readily able to match into neurology. In the 2010 NRMP Match, only 3% of U.S. seniors who applied to the field went unmatched. However, top-tier university programs are quite competitive.

Osteopathic applicants may match into allopathic or osteopathic neurology residency programs. In 2010, approximately 50 osteopathic applicants matched into an allopathic program. There are seven osteopathic neurology residency programs.

In 2010, nearly 200 international medical graduates matched into the specialty. However, many fail to match. In the 2010 Match, 38.4% of independent applicants went unmatched (IMGs are considered independent applicants).

Why pursue Neurology as a Career?

Neurologists discuss reasons why they chose to pursue a career in neurology:

Robert Pascuzzi, MD
George Richerson, MD
American Academy of Neurology
Nancy Futrell, MD

2010 Neurology Physician Compensation/Salary

Find out how much a neurologist makes

Subspecialties of Neurology

Many fellowships are available in neurology. A full list of these opportunities can be found at the American Academy of Neurology website.

Excelling in your Core Clerkships

In a recent NRMP survey of neurology residency program directors, 52% cited "honors in clinical clerkships" as a factor in selecting applicants to interview. Our book, Success on the Wards: 250 Rules for Clerkship Success shows students proven strategies for success in core clerkships. Nineteen U.S. medical school have made our book a required or recommended text for third-year medical students. Read reviews of the book and Q & A with the authors. The first chapter is available free to read. The book can be purchased through our online store or at Amazon.

Excelling in your Neurology Clerkship

Evaluating medical students' performance in a clinical setting

Advice to medical students studying neurology

Neurology Residency Application

Almost all residency programs require applicants to submit their completed application through the Electronic Residency Application Service, also known as ERAS. ERAS does not, however, allow applicants to submit their curriculum vitae or CV as part of this application. Instead, ERAS requires all applicants to transfer information from their CV to the ERAS Application Form. It is the ERAS Application Form that is then sent to programs for review along with the the rest of your application.

Once the application is received, program directors will read it closely and carefully. The application will be used to assess the quality of your written communication skills. Programs place considerable emphasis on communication skills because effective communication has been shown to directly affect the quality of care given to patients.

Therefore, it is imperative that all information in your application is well communicated and error-free. In our experiences reviewing and editing applications, errors are common.

We have considerable experience reviewing and editing the ERAS Application Form can make sure that your application is polished, professional, and powerful.

Our ERAS Application Review/Editing Service can be purchased through our online store. All clients will work directly with Dr. Samir Desai, author of The Successful Match.

Important Information for the Aspiring Neurologist

Child neurology: past, present, and future: part 3: the future

Teaching the next generation of neurologists

Neurohospitalists: an emerging model for inpatient neurologic care

Outpatient training in neurology: history and future challenges

The challenges facing neurology, neurosurgery, and the neurosciences

After neurology residency: new opportunities, new challenges