Child Neurology

[TheMaestro]

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I am posting this question twice: Once on the general residency forum and once on this forum.

How competitive is it really? Anyone have more info on the field and its future? I do know that it is highly in demand. All the other older posts on it are a bit outdated as the match is now done through ERAS and I believe you have to apply to a combined Peds and Child Neurology program instead of separately.

I'd especially appreciate stories from people who are in the field or residency and what they like/dislike about it.


Thank you.

 

[OddNath]

I'll be applying this summer and would love to hear people's experiences with child neuro as well!

Maestro, where did you hear that some programs may be switching to entirely categorical spots (i.e. matching to a 5-year program)? I just heard about the switch to ERAS recently from my school and haven't seen many websites with updated information.

 

[ACoordinator]

I'll be applying this summer and would love to hear people's experiences with child neuro as well!

Maestro, where did you hear that some programs may be switching to entirely categorical spots (i.e. matching to a 5-year program)? I just heard about the switch to ERAS recently from my school and haven't seen many websites with updated information.

Here's the *latest* on the match process for child neurology: http://www.childneurologysociety.org/assets/files/Match.pdf

Regarding 5 year programs: Several programs offer this option already(including mine). Basically, if an applicant matched with us through the SF Match, then he/she was guaranteed a prelim peds slot through the NRMP. The deal was that the applicant had to apply to both matches even though we have an integrated program, but that will no longer be the case with the switch to the NRMP. HTH...let me know if you'd like more info.

 

[OddNath]

Here's the *latest* on the match process for child neurology: http://www.childneurologysociety.org/assets/files/Match.pdf

Regarding 5 year programs: Several programs offer this option already(including mine). Basically, if an applicant matched with us through the SF Match, then he/she was guaranteed a prelim peds slot through the NRMP. The deal was that the applicant had to apply to both matches even though we have an integrated program, but that will no longer be the case with the switch to the NRMP. HTH...let me know if you'd like more info.

Thank you, that is very helpful!

 

[JKSD]

So by moving to NRMP that also means its no longer an early match, right? That's great to hear, thanks. Makes deciding between adult and child neuro much less stressful.

 

[AlternateSome1]

Regarding the switch to the NRMP: The word from the head of peds neuro here noted that the pediatric neurology will be in the NRMP for the upcoming cycle, however they will not be using ERAS until the next year. Apparently ERAS said they don't have enough time to add peds neuro by September, so there will be a peds neuro specific application process that is nearly identical to ERAS for one year until ERAS can support them. More programs will be switching to incorporate two years of categorical pediatrics into the peds-neuro process, so the application process should get simpler (and less underhanded).

 

[JKSD]

Will the deadlines be the same as for ERAS? Thanks

 

[Werg]

How competitive is it really?

My roommate applied for child neuro in 2009. At that time the most recent available stats had US seniors matching at 99%. Even with that, several programs ended the match with unfilled spots. So I'd say not competitive. Of course there is always self-selection among applicants.

Hopefully moving to NRMP will mean stricter rules too. When my roommate was doing the SF match, a couple programs contacted her saying "you're #1 on our list" or "we think you'd make an excellent 'match'" and then she ended up matching elsewhere. Which I'm pretty sure would be against NRMP rules. Needless to say, she was not happy about (one of) those programs.

 

[OddNath]

Regarding the switch to the NRMP: The word from the head of peds neuro here noted that the pediatric neurology will be in the NRMP for the upcoming cycle, however they will not be using ERAS until the next year. Apparently ERAS said they don't have enough time to add peds neuro by September, so there will be a peds neuro specific application process that is nearly identical to ERAS for one year until ERAS can support them. More programs will be switching to incorporate two years of categorical pediatrics into the peds-neuro process, so the application process should get simpler (and less underhanded).

Looks like the pedi neuro applications will be handled by AUPN for this upcoming 2011-2012 cycle. No forms yet, stay tuned!

 

[ep4514]

I don't see any information on the NRMP website about Child Neurology. Will applicants be using the NRMP for rank lists? Or how will that occur? Also does anyone know how to have your USMLE transcript sent to the AUPN?

 

[dogsnme2]

I don't see any information on the NRMP website about Child Neurology. Will applicants be using the NRMP for rank lists? Or how will that occur? Also does anyone know how to have your USMLE transcript sent to the AUPN?

Hi all,

I matched last year into peds and peds neuro, but this whole thing is more complicated for you guys than it was for me, and I didn't even think that was possible! From what I read, it looks like the peds neuro app is separate from the NRMP app for gen peds. You'll need to do two separate apps, but you won't find out where you are going for either program until March. Don't hold me to it, but that's the best I could make of it.

Good luck!

 

[medstudent628]

I was wondering if anyone on this thread did an away elective or knows about the advantages of an away elective for Child Neuro residencies. Does it help a residency application at all if I do an away in a different pediatric subspecialty than Child Neuro? My adviser suggested this to so that I have more variety in my 4th year schedule. I am uncertain whether or not it would be worthwhile to do an away elective if it is not in peds neuro in terms of getting an interview. Let me know your thoughts!

 

[acs204]

I was wondering if anyone on this thread did an away elective or knows about the advantages of an away elective for Child Neuro residencies. Does it help a residency application at all if I do an away in a different pediatric subspecialty than Child Neuro? My adviser suggested this to so that I have more variety in my 4th year schedule. I am uncertain whether or not it would be worthwhile to do an away elective if it is not in peds neuro in terms of getting an interview. Let me know your thoughts!

I'm applying to Child Neuro this year. I'm a 4th year med student in an average US allopathic school with about average scores and I did not do any away rotations. I still managed 15 interviews (all combined programs) and turned a few interviews down just because I couldn't fit them in (schedule fills up quickly with 2 day interviews for combined programs with peds one day and neuro the next. Plus you often have dinner the night before.)

Child neuro is definitely not the most competitive specialty out there. With so few spots at each program though, I would suggest applying broadly (I applied to 30 programs) and interviewing at as many as possible.

The recommendation I got from my advisor that I will pass onto you is that if you already have a specific residency you really hope to match at, I would go ahead and try and do an away at that place. It will allow you to see if it is a place that you want to train as well as giving that program a chance to know you. If you do not have 1 specific place in mind that you want to go, I would not feel pressured into doing an away rotation.

 

[dogsnme2]

I was wondering if anyone on this thread did an away elective or knows about the advantages of an away elective for Child Neuro residencies. Does it help a residency application at all if I do an away in a different pediatric subspecialty than Child Neuro? My adviser suggested this to so that I have more variety in my 4th year schedule. I am uncertain whether or not it would be worthwhile to do an away elective if it is not in peds neuro in terms of getting an interview. Let me know your thoughts!

I didn't do any away rotations in child neuro, but I think it can help, especially if you are interested in particular programs.