Preclinical Years
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The preclinical years of medical school are important for students considering a career in Neurosurgery.
Neurosurgery residency programs value involvement in extracurricular activities, community service, leadership, and research. According to the 2018 NRMP Program Director Survey:
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Leadership qualities are cited by 76% of programs as a factor used to make interview decisions.
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Demonstrated involvement or interest in research is cited by 76% as a factor used to make interview decisions.
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Volunteer/extracurricular activities are cited by 56% of programs as a factor used to make interview decisions.
In our book, Success in Medical School: Insider Advice for the Preclinical Years, we provide you with a detailed blueprint on how to do just that.
The preclinical years are an excellent time to build these credentials
3 ways to Build your Credentials in Neurosurgery as a Preclinical Student
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Schools with neurosurgery departments often provide opportunities to perform research during the summer following the first year of medical school. National sources of funding are also available. The American Association of Neurological Surgeons offers summer fellowships for medical students who want to perform neurosurgical research (Medical Student Summer Research Fellowship Program).
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The Congress of Neurological Surgeons and Council of State Neurosurgical Societies offer the Medical Student Summer Fellowship in Socioeconomic Research, an award given to students to conduct research on a socioeconomic issue affecting neurosurgical practice.
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The Women in Neurosurgery organization has developed a mentoring program that pairs the medical student with an experienced neurosurgeon.
For more information on how to stand out in Neurosurgery as a preclinical student, turn to our book Success in Medical School: Insider Advice for the Preclinical Years.