how many programs are you planning to apply to?

[drcushing]

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realistically how many programs can you interview at? Some say you don't need to go to more than 5 programs. Wouldn't around 6-8 be safer? say for an AMG. Would applying to 15 programs enough to get 6-8 invites?
any thoughts?
for those of you applying this year, how many are you applying and planning to interview at?

 

[Vader]

Those numbers sound right. I would shoot for 6-8 programs to be safe. Of course, it depends on the strength of your application and what programs you are applying to.

 

[marqaha]

Any thoughts from those applying this fall? Right now I only have 10 programs on my list that I plan on applying to. There are statistics available for what to expect given the number of programs ranked, but I haven't seen any statistics for matching success given the number of programs applied to.

 

[Eurosepsis]

ERAS charges the same fee for applying to up to 10 programs, so there's really no reason to do less than that. Keep in mind that you will most likely be applying to medicine prelim/transitional year programs as well, as many programs either do not offer a categorical program or have both categorical and advanced positions in the match.

I'm curious as to the reasons for restricting your scope of applying. Cost isn't that prohibitive, and you have plenty of ability to be selective once the interview invites start coming in. With the match becoming a tighter process each year, you are doing yourself a huge disservice to not maximize your chances in the application phase, where the cost is very low compared to the total amount you will spend during the interviewing process. Not to mention the fact that your ability to judge a program and find one that is right for you increases with your exposure to other programs during the interview season.

Ideally, you will at the very least want a good mix of programs at, above and below your perceived level of competitiveness. You should also want to apply to a good amount of prelim and transitional programs, as those spots can be more competitive than neuro spots at the same institution. I personally applied fairly broadly and am very pleased with the result of my match.

 

[typhoonegator]

Application time is not the time to be stingy. Apply broadly, and for each city you apply to for neuro, apply to as many prelim programs as you can. You won't really know how competitive you are until the interview invites start coming in. If you get a lot, then you can start declining some of them.

Competition for prelim spots have gotten tighter and tighter in the last few years. Do not underestimate this issue. If you don't secure a prelim year, your advanced program can't do too much to help you, and you'll basically be forced to take a year off. Don't let this happen.

 

[NeurologyICU]

Can you apply to Transitional programs as well? I had the impression that you can only apply to Medicine Prelims, but I might be completely off. If you can apply to Transitional, do all of them meet the requirements for Neuro, or you have to look at each Transitional program separately?

 

[RAD345]

Any programs that offers 8 months of internal medicine is good for doing your prelim, but most transitional programs do not offer this.

 

[NeurologyICU]

Any programs that offers 8 months of internal medicine is good for doing your prelim, but most transitional programs do not offer this.

Does anyone have a list for which programs offer 8 months of IM for prelim years? I was under the impression any IM prelim program was fine, but if that's not the case, which programs have prelims that do offer 8 months of IM? Also, when you say IM 8 months, does that include the ICU month, outpatient clinic or 8 months of inpatient IM? Is there a website that lists all the requirements for the prelim year? Thanks for the help.

 

[Eurosepsis]

http://www.acgme.org/acWebsite/downloads/RRC_progReq/180_neurology_07012010.pdf - section IV.A.4.b

This year must include at least one of the following:
IV.A.4.b).(1).(a) eight months in internal medicine with primary
responsibility in patient care, or
IV.A.4.b).(1).(b) six months in internal medicine with primary
responsibility in patient care and a period of at least
two months time comprising one or more months of
pediatrics, emergency medicine, internal medicine,
or family medicine.
IV.A.4.b).(2) Residents must spend no more than two months in
neurology during this year.

The vast majority (all?) med-prelim positions fulfill these requirements, and most transitional programs as well, through the second set of guidelines. In my experience, some TY programs tailor the curriculum to your advanced program's requirements. You can always contact the program coordinators of the respective programs to make sure.