- Joined
- Jun 7, 2016
- Messages
- 47
- Reaction score
- 83
First off, thank you for using the little leisure time you have to help aspiring neurosurgeons.
I have been striving towards nrsg since high school and next month, I start medical school at a mid-tier public institution in the South East. I could really benefit from knowing your thoughts on the following questions:
1. Did you, and/or do you recommend, applying to residency programs in specialties other than neuro as "fall backs", since neuro is so competitive? If so, what specialties do you think constitute good fall backs? (I thought maybe General Surgery?) If so, how should you distribute applications (example: 30 nrsg apps and 10 "fall back" apps?)?
2. Do you feel that physical fitness (being in very good shape) is very important as a neurosurgery resident? You mentioned in previous posts that you enjoyed running. I plan to be in good shape (healthy weight, balanced diet), but don't think I'll ever consider myself in "athletic" shape. Are most neuro residents fit or does this vary? During residency interviews, did you notice any kind of trend related to physical fitness?
3. As someone who wants to have children, do you notice a particular year/period of time when female residents choose to start a family? If not, in your opinion, during which year(s) do you think would be best (least difficult) to consider having a child?
4. You mentioned for external sub-internships to pick at least one place where many students rotate and one place you are actually interested in going. Can you give some examples of institutions for the former?
Thanks in advance!
I have been striving towards nrsg since high school and next month, I start medical school at a mid-tier public institution in the South East. I could really benefit from knowing your thoughts on the following questions:
1. Did you, and/or do you recommend, applying to residency programs in specialties other than neuro as "fall backs", since neuro is so competitive? If so, what specialties do you think constitute good fall backs? (I thought maybe General Surgery?) If so, how should you distribute applications (example: 30 nrsg apps and 10 "fall back" apps?)?
2. Do you feel that physical fitness (being in very good shape) is very important as a neurosurgery resident? You mentioned in previous posts that you enjoyed running. I plan to be in good shape (healthy weight, balanced diet), but don't think I'll ever consider myself in "athletic" shape. Are most neuro residents fit or does this vary? During residency interviews, did you notice any kind of trend related to physical fitness?
3. As someone who wants to have children, do you notice a particular year/period of time when female residents choose to start a family? If not, in your opinion, during which year(s) do you think would be best (least difficult) to consider having a child?
4. You mentioned for external sub-internships to pick at least one place where many students rotate and one place you are actually interested in going. Can you give some examples of institutions for the former?
Thanks in advance!