Stupid question about pathway to neurosurgery

[undecided1995]

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I hope all is well with everyone. I had a question that some may find as stupid.


Is there a pathway to neurosurgery through a general surgery residency?

 

[drstranger]

no the only way is through NS residency, and not a dumb question at all.

 

[longhaul3]

No. Not a stupid question though. In the recent past neurosurgery residents did a prelim gen surg year, but now all programs are 7 years integrated.

On very rare occasions prelim gen surg interns can land a PGY2 neurosurgery spot. I can't think of anyone I know who did that. I do know many people who didn't match, did a gen surg prelim year, and then matched to a neurosurgery program and started PGY1 over again.

 

[agiraffe999]

No. Not a stupid question though. In the recent past neurosurgery residents did a prelim gen surg year, but now all programs are 7 years integrated.

On very rare occasions prelim gen surg interns can land a PGY2 neurosurgery spot. I can't think of anyone I know who did that. I do know many people who didn't match, did a gen surg prelim year, and then matched to a neurosurgery program and started PGY1 over again.

If you are in this position where you were aiming for NSGY but didn't match, can you take a research year and then apply again?

 

[longhaul3]

If you are in this position where you were aiming for NSGY but didn't match, can you take a research year and then apply again?

Yes. I believe some people end up delaying their med school graduation to take a research year and reapply with US senior status in the match. Some people I'm sure graduate and do a research year at another institution.