strongly interested in neuro and cardiothoracic surgery

[shreypete]

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I am currently an MS1 studying in Europe (it's a 6 year medical program). I don't know if it's too early in the program, but I have always been interested in neuro- and cardiothoracic surgery (mainly because I have so many of them in my family). I still have 5 long years to go but I would like to plan ahead in time so that I don't regret later that I hadn't spent any time on doing so. I would like to return back to the States once I finish my medical course here and I know that it's even more competitive as I will be treated as an FMG.

My university has quite a strong neurosurgery faculty but I don't know if approaching them so early would be a good idea? I'm hoping that I'll be able to do some sort of research and perhaps even scrub in a few surgeries next year (with the consent of the dean of the faculty). I certainly hope to do my clinical rotations in the States. What are the requirements for an FMG to match into a neurosurgery residency in the States? For eg. What are the range of USMLE scores reqired for FMG's to match into such a competitive residency? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.Thank you.

 

[travoltage]

I am currently an MS1 studying in Europe (it's a 6 year medical program). I don't know if it's too early in the program, but I have always been interested in neuro- and cardiothoracic surgery (mainly because I have so many of them in my family). I still have 5 long years to go but I would like to plan ahead in time so that I don't regret later that I hadn't spent any time on doing so. I would like to return back to the States once I finish my medical course here and I know that it's even more competitive as I will be treated as an FMG.

My university has quite a strong neurosurgery faculty but I don't know if approaching them so early would be a good idea? I'm hoping that I'll be able to do some sort of research and perhaps even scrub in a few surgeries next year (with the consent of the dean of the faculty). I certainly hope to do my clinical rotations in the States. What are the requirements for an FMG to match into a neurosurgery residency in the States? For eg. What are the range of USMLE scores reqired for FMG's to match into such a competitive residency? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.Thank you.

it is going to be very difficult for you to match into a US Neuro residency....not impossible but very very very very difficult. i believe the average board was something in the upper 230's low 240's for neuro matches....ur gonna need killer lor's and really know some people....US md students already have enough trouble as it is getting into neuro residencies

 

[shreypete]

Wow that sounds quite scary, yet I guess it's reality. But how do you exactly "get to know people"? As in do you acquire contacts by doing clinical rotations and stuff like that? What if I took about 3-4 years of after med school and did research at a good american university? would that help in any way? (also I am planning to do my clinical rotations in the States from my fourth year and on I might be able to get some LORs from the American profs.) Thank you for you sincere advice.