Board Scores for Neurosurgery

[aeneid]

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Hello anyone who might answer some questions for me:

I am a recent acceptee into medical school and had a few questions:

1. What Step 1 score will get an applicant into a quality neurosurgery program?

2. For all the UCSF/HMS/Duke students out there....how would characterize the degree of your training for the boards based on the style of your curricula. This, I hope, will get a good discussion between the tutorial/PBL and strict classroom/lecture formats. Basically, do or did you feel prepared to get that score referred to in question 1?

3. For any HMS students...what are the best hospitals to do the surgery core clerkship third year to insure an applicant will be prepared for electives and eventually a residency in neurosurgery?

I know there's a lot here, but I hope this gets some good discussion...Thanks in advance..

 

[Giving My .02]

Hello anyone who might answer some questions for me:

I am a recent acceptee into medical school and had a few questions:

1. What Step 1 score will get an applicant into a quality neurosurgery program?

2. For all the UCSF/HMS/Duke students out there....how would characterize the degree of your training for the boards based on the style of your curricula. This, I hope, will get a good discussion between the tutorial/PBL and strict classroom/lecture formats. Basically, do or did you feel prepared to get that score referred to in question 1?

3. For any HMS students...what are the best hospitals to do the surgery core clerkship third year to insure an applicant will be prepared for electives and eventually a residency in neurosurgery?

I know there's a lot here, but I hope this gets some good discussion...Thanks in advance..

There is a NS forum on studentdoctor.net, I would check there, they would know better than this forum. I think UCSF has a strong NS department. Go to the nsmatch.com website and do a search, you will find most of your answers there. Also I wouldn't worry so much about the Step I score before even entering medical school. I would see what those forums say focus on, research, etc. and then the boards. You might even change your mind. I think Columbia and Hopkins are the ivy leagues that produce the most NS resident applicants. Hope that helps.

 

[skypilot]

Also I wouldn't worry so much about the Step I score before even entering medical school.

🙂

 

[stinkycheese]

Also I wouldn't worry so much about the Step I score before even entering medical school.

Why not? When else to start thinking about how you want to approach your studying, approach the material, etc, in a way that will help you to retain the information come step 1 time? Remembering that the first-year basic sciences have a purpose, and thinking about how you want to learn it as well as you can the first time around to aid in step 1 review next year, is a great strategy, I think. It doesn't make someone a gunner to be thinking about these things now.

 

[rotatores]

Why not? When else to start thinking about how you want to approach your studying, approach the material, etc, in a way that will help you to retain the information come step 1 time? Remembering that the first-year basic sciences have a purpose, and thinking about how you want to learn it as well as you can the first time around to aid in step 1 review next year, is a great strategy, I think. It doesn't make someone a gunner to be thinking about these things now.

I love premeds...they remind me of the days when I was excited about medicine. My advice would be to chill and enjoy the first two years of med school...otherwise you'll just burn yourself out. And trust me...you're attitude will change with time.

rotatores
USUHS 2006

 

[stinkycheese]

I love premeds...they remind me of the days when I was excited about medicine. My advice would be to chill and enjoy the first two years of med school...otherwise you'll just burn yourself out. And trust me...you're attitude will change with time.

rotatores
USUHS 2006

Being prepared, studying, and thinking about the USMLE is not discordant with "enjoying the first two years." Before you make another comment about how I am only a pre-med and I don't know what I am getting into, let me tell you that I have several siblings in medical school and have taken classes with medical students this year -- I have plenty idea what I am getting into, and I know that I will have time to socialize, study, and do well next year at Tulane.

 

[rotatores]

Before you make another comment about how I am only a pre-med and I don't know what I am getting into, let me tell you that I have several siblings in medical school and have taken classes with medical students this year -- I have plenty idea what I am getting into, and I know that I will have time to socialize, study, and do well next year at Tulane.

Okay...chill buddy...I was just remembering the days when I was so excited about med school myself. Congrats on the siblings being in med school...that must make you an expert...let me guess...you've also got hours of shadowing experiences...or maybe your even a CNA. Whatever the case...my point was to try to enjoy the first two years as much as possible and to quit worrying about step 1.

good luck

 

[aeneid]

People, people..let's take moment to remember we al come from different persapectives...and also, not to be too serious about this....I'm simply asking these questions, because they are pertinent to where I attend and also because I am 100% sure about neurosurgery, I wanted to get some insights...

I did not want to start a name-calling thread....I appreciate the comments by eveyone so far, but just keep it clean and tasteful.... 🙂

 

[skypilot]

because they are pertinent to where I attend and also because I am 100% sure about neurosurgery, I wanted to get some insights...
🙂

Ha ha, kidding right?! 100%? Don't worry, if you work hard you will have no problem matching into Neurosurgery. It is not everyone's cup of tea... Go to the school you would enjoy the best. Most schools match students into Neurosurgery. 🙂

 

[Giving My .02]

I love premeds...they remind me of the days when I was excited about medicine. My advice would be to chill and enjoy the first two years of med school...otherwise you'll just burn yourself out. And trust me...you're attitude will change with time.

rotatores
USUHS 2006

Thanks for covering my back. The reason I said what I did is if the original poster went to the website I mentioned they would realize that the people their also agree a board score is not the only thing that will get you in. You need research, LOR, sub-I's. I am not an expert at all, but I have known a lot of pre-med's that think a 33+ will give them their choice of schools & then not get their pick of schools because they are lacking in another part of their application. The original poster looks at the website, it has many of the applicant's USMLE scores. That is all I am going to say. I won't check this forum again because I have no more advice to give & don't want to be ridicled for telling someone to not worry about at test that is two years away. I am not even worried about it, and it is 1+ years away for me. However, if you want to get a head's up there are many medical students that study with board review books along with their subjects. Talk around to the upper classman at your school about which ones they like, and that will help you. Later.

 

[bigfrank]

Step I for Neurosurg in 2005 match was ~235, unmatched Step I was ~217. US-MD match rate was >85%.

 

[ddmo]

Okay...chill buddy...I was just remembering the days when I was so excited about med school myself. Congrats on the siblings being in med school...that must make you an expert...let me guess...you've also got hours of shadowing experiences...or maybe your even a CNA. Whatever the case...my point was to try to enjoy the first two years as much as possible and to quit worrying about step 1.

good luck

LMAO!!!!! How true, how true.

Anyways, to the original poster. I would just put the fact that you are interested in NS in the back of your mind, don't let it close off your opinion of other fields. You would be amazed how many people hell bent on a specific field end up changing their mind with rotations and time.

Go to any of those schools you mentioned, learn the material, worry about boards 2nd year, do well on them, get some exposure to NS the first 2 years since you will be getting very little 3rd year, and just enjoy the ride.

 

[SocialistMD]

I'm simply asking these questions, because they are pertinent to where I attend and also because I am 100% sure about neurosurgery, I wanted to get some insights...

When I started medical school I, too, was 100% sure I wanted to do neurosurgery. Turns out, I didn't like it when I did it, but I really liked general surgery and here I am. My point is, keep your mind open.

That said, I do feel it is a tad too early to worry about Step 1. There is no way you can even begin to prepare for the exam at this time. Every medical school in the country will give you the curriculum it takes to do well on the boards, but remember that the school doesn't take your exam, you do. Don't use your school as a crutch or expect it to serve as a stepstool for your advancement up the proverbial ladder. Also as was stated before, there is much more to your application than simply your board score.

 

[automaton]

i hate premeds.

 

[Ross434]

i hate premeds.

👍

 

[aeneid]

Hey you all..it appears I've touched a nerve on this one....Believe me I do appreciate the info you all are spreading....I also appreciate the advice to keep my mind open. These perspectives are not lost on me...I have to admit, however, that I have had some experience working in the medical community, and am certain neuro is where I want to be. My thoughts on the boards was simply to get an acceptable baseline to shoot for. The impact of LOR, research are not lost on me either, and for that reminder thank you. My LORs were very instrumental in getting me into med school I think. I wasn't aware of the website posted by one of you, so that will be very helpful in the future.....As for the posters who say they "hate" premeds....are you serious? You've got to be kidding me...Grow up...I started this thread to get a few questions answered, not to engage in needless name-calling over the INTERNET!

 

[automaton]

congratulations

 

[No Fear]

Now that we're on the subject, what do neurosurgery residency directors actually look for in an applicant besides board scores. What bigfrank wrote surprised me; an average 230 board score of matched residents. That score is good, but not as good as bigfranks obviously--congrats by the way 👍 .

The reason I ask is that I was initially interested in it but have been leading towards other fields. This is because I am not anywhere close to being at the top of my class, I haven't taken my step yet (July), but have 12 "neurosurgery" publications and many other things besides grades going for me at school. I don't mean to put the "list" out there, I just want to see what my options are.

....the publications were done before being admitted to med school.