- Joined
- Apr 8, 2013
- Messages
- 349
- Reaction score
- 113
Last edited:
Hey everyone. Long time reader, first time poster. I'm a MS-3 at a midwest program. Thought I wanted to do Neurology for a long time but always loved procedures and surgery discovered Neurointerventional Surgery, and realized that Neurosurgery is my passion.
Unfortunately... I'm not the strongest applicant for Neurosurgery. Honestly - Step 1 was 218/82; probably about 50%-ile class rank, non-AOA, with decent clinical grades. Mostly high pass and sat pass (including General Surgery - ugh), though I did honor pediatric plastic surgery, neurology, and some other not-as-important electives. My evaluations have been pretty flattering, but my shelf exam scores suck a**. No research yet, though I will be getting at least one Neuroradiology/Stroke project in May that will hopefully lead to publication. I'm likable enough and work extremely hard on all my rotations, and my evaluations highlight this. But like I said, Step 1 = blaaarghhhhh.
Still, every day, can't shake the feeling that I should be applying to Neurosurgery instead of Neurology. I know everyone posts, "Do I have a chance?" I essentially have June and July to do out of towns. Though I could be pretty happy in Neurology and would probably gun until I got into neurointerventional, I would much rather sacrifice my life for Neurosurgery.
Any advice? Suggestions? Though I appreciate encouragement, honesty would definitely be preferred! Thank guys!
The annoying thing about applying to both NS and neuro or rads is that you have to interview for prelim spots too, which is a hassle.