Step 1: Explore the Specialty
Before you pursue a career in Neurology, it's important to be well informed about the specialty. We've put together a great collection of articles and resources which are essential reading for the aspiring neurologist.
These articles will give you a better idea of the pros and cons of a career in the field, trends in the specialty, and hot-topic issues for trainees.
Step 2: Review Neurology Match Data
Securing a residency position in neurology is not difficult for U.S. MD seniors. There are many more positions than interested applicants. In the 2024 NRMP Match, there were 918 total positions at both the PGY1 and PGY2 levels. Only 6% of US MD seniors failed to match. Osteopathic and international medical graduate applicants find it more difficult to land positions with failure to match rates of 15% and 50%, respectively.
Neurology-Charting Outcomes in the Match for U.S. MD 2024
Charting Outcomes™: Characteristics of U.S. MD Seniors Who Matched to Their Preferred Specialty: 2024 Main Residency Match®
Neurology-Charting Outcomes in the Match for U.S. DO 2024
Charting Outcomes™: Characteristics of U.S. DO Seniors Who Matched to Their Preferred Specialty: 2024 Main Residency Match®
Neurology-Charting Outcomes in the Match for IMGs 2024
Charting Outcomes™: Characteristics of International Medical Graduates Who Matched to Their Preferred Specialty: 2024 Main Residency Match®
Step 3: Understand Residency Selection Criteria
"We receive over 400 applications a year and interview around 90 candidates," writes the Department of Neurology at Beth Isreal Deaconess Medical Center.
To maximize your chances of matching with your first-choice residency program in neurology, you must become well informed as early as possible. In particular, you need to know the criteria residency programs use to select residents.
We recommend beginning with the following resources:
Neurology-2024 NRMP Program Director Survey
Charting Outcomes™: Program Director Survey Results, 2024 Main Residency Match®
Check out these other recommended resources
Step 4: Develop your Strategy for Success
The process of matching into the specialty and/or program of your choice begins well before it’s time to work on the residency application. Success is the culmination of many decisions and actions that take place over a period of several years.
Many medical students struggle to become strong residency applicants not because they are not talented or hardworking, but because they lack knowledge or guidance about the actions they should take to position themselves for future success.
Complicating matters even further is the rapidly changing landscape in residency admissions making it difficult for both residency applicants and mentors to stay well informed. A recent study showed that 75% of faculty advisors had advising concerns due to lack of knowledge of current practices or recent changes to the residency application.
As competition for positions in the neurology residency match intensifies, it's more important than ever to be an informed candidate who has the "right" strategy for success. To develop the optimal strategy, use our book, The Successful Match. It's been designated recommended or required reading by the Association of American Medical Colleges, American Medical Women's Association, and numerous allopathic and osteopathic medical schools.
AMSA wrote the book "provides the medical student reader with detailed preparation for the matching process." Fully updated in 2025 with over 1,000 pages of powerful information, the book is a must-have resource to help you stand out from the competition.
This book will empower you to become a stronger neurology residency applicant. Inside, you'll find answers to the following questions and much more:
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How you can excel during an away or audition rotation in neurology?
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What are different themes applicants can write about in the personal statement that will resonate with neurology residency programs?
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What should your signaling strategy be in neurology?
For more powerful information, sign up for our periodic updates.
Step 5: Make the Most of your Preclinical Years
The preclinical years of medical school are important for students considering a career in neurology. "In evaluating each resident candidate, we consider a wide variety of factors including evidence of academic excellence, participation in research and/or academic activities, the development of an area of interest in Neurology or the Neurosciences, evidence of excellent verbal and written communication skills, and leadership in forming or participating in academic or community organizations," writes the Department of Neurology at Emory University.
Step 6: Apply for Scholarships and Awards
Winning medical school scholarships and awards can provide a major boost to your residency application, and set you apart from your peers. Awards can be placed in the application, MSPE (Dean's Letter), letters of recommendation, and CV. We have found that interviewers often ask about awards during residency interviews.
Step 7: Assess your USMLE Step 1 Score or COMLEX 1 Score
Step 8: Strive for Success During Clerkships, Observerships and Externships
Grades in required or core clerkships are very important to neurology residency programs. In a NRMP survey of neurology residency programs, 86% cited "grades in required clerkships" as a factor in selecting applicants to interview. Neurology rotations are also of obvious importance to international medical graduates seeking positions in the field.
Step 9: Prepare a Powerful Residency Application
Step 10: Develop a Powerful Personal Statement
Step 11: Deliver an Impressive Interview Performance
What if I didn't match?
If you were unsuccessful during your initial match cycle, you'll need to sit down with your dean or advisor to review your match strategy. In planning your reapplication, each of the steps above becomes even more important.
For those who seek additional expert assistance, we can provide that. Dr. Desai has had significant experience in helping re-applicants match successfully.
This is provided via a Strategy for Success Session. Dr. Desai will perform a comprehensive review of your credentials, assess your strengths and weaknesses, and provide you with a specific plan to implement tailored to your unique situation.