Neurosurgery

2010 Match Results

Neurosurgery remains one of the most competitive specialties. In 2010, 15.1% of U.S seniors went unmatched. 

In the 2010 NRMP Match, only 1 osteopathic applicant matched into an allopathic residency program. Osteopathic students may also apply to the 11 AOA-approved neurosurgery residency programs.

Only 7 international medical graduates matched into the specialty in 2010. Seventy-six percent of independent applicants went unmatched (IMGs are considered independent applicants).

Why pursue Neurosurgery as a Career?

Neurosurgeons discuss reasons why they chose to pursue a career in neurosurgery:

Patrick Hitchon, MD
Farhad Limonadi, MD
Gregory Zipfel, MD
Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa, MD
Katrina Firlik, MD

2010 Neurosurgeon Physician Compensation/Salary

Find out how much a neurosurgeon makes

Subspecialties of Neurosurgery

Subspecialties of neurosurgery include endovascular neurosurgery, pediatric neurosurgery, stereotactic and functional neurosurgery, radiosurgery, spine surgery, neuro-oncology, neurotrauma and critical care, cerebrovascular surgery, epilepsy surgery, skull base surgery, interventional neuroradiology, and peripheral nerve surgery. The American Association of Neurological Surgeons has a directory of academic fellowships.

Excelling in your Core Clerkships

Core clerkship grades is an important factor in the residency selection process for neurosurgery. 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 Neurosurgery Clerkship

Medical student curriculum in neurosurgery

Neurosurgery 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 agree with the words of Dr. D. Roxanne Todor in the document So You Want To Be A Neurosurgeon. "Take time with your application. Sloppy or poorly organized applications reflect poorly on the applicant."

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 Neurosurgeon

The challenges facing neurology, neurosurgery, and the neurosciences 

Survey of United States neurosurgical residency program directors 

Challenges and opportunities for recruiting a new generation of neurosurgeons

Meeting the challenges of neurosurgery. The 2006 presidential address.

The neurosurgical workforce in North America: a critical review of gender issues

Challenges in contemporary academic neurosurgery

Seven challenges for neurosurgeons and physicians in the next decade