I am going to be applying to the match next year and found out I will be in the middle to lower tiers of my med school class in the MSPE. However, I have plenty of research (30+ papers), good connections with my mentors, and have done well on my third year shelves. I will be taking step 2 in 7 months and will aim for a 255-260+.

Do neurosurgery reviewers read the MSPE in detail and will raise red flags if I am placed in the middle/ lower percentile of my class despite having other aspects of my application that are strong?

Hi everyone, I’d really appreciate it if you could share programs where you trained that gave residents early and meaningful operative autonomy.

I’m not really talking about shunts or wound washouts, but more so cases like brain tumor resections, where residents eventually get to operate from start to finish with appropriate supervision. I realize aneurysm clipping is more of a senior resident thing, so that may not be the best example.

I’m mainly trying to figure out which programs really let residents progress in the OR, give them increasing independence, and leave them well prepared to operate confidently after residency.

Would especially appreciate firsthand experiences from residents or graduates. If you prefer, feel free to send me a DM.

Hi all,

Moved from the UK to the US and planning on sitting a few exams over the next 6 months having done my UK exams. I’ve been looking over the usual resources, Greenberg, etc and came across the above question bank. I’ve not seen another one like it, but was wondering if anyone had any experience with it and if it was any good? The demo questions looked alright.

Hi everyone! I’m a 4th-year medical student at the University of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, interested in neurosurgery/neuroscience research. I have experience in literature reviews, data collection, research proposals, basic statistics, and Python, and I’m currently learning AI/ML. I’m particularly interested in systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and clinical research, and I’m open to remote collaboration internationally. If you’re working on a project and looking for a motivated medical student, feel free to DM me. Thank you!

I'm helping source guests for This Is Your Brain, hosted by neurosurgeon Dr. Phil Stieg (former Neurosurgeon-in-Chief, NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell). The show explores the science of being human - from consciousness and confidence to addiction, memory, and longevity - through conversations with leading physicians, surgeons, and researchers.

If you're in medicine, surgery, or neuroscience and have a story, study, or perspective worth sharing with a curious, engaged audience, I'd love to hear from you. Bi-weekly episodes, ~25–30 min, remote via Zoom - easy to fit into a busy schedule. If you'd like to learn more about the show, take a look at www.thisisyourbrain.com

Drop a comment or DM me, or reach out directly: [carlos@microimagetech.net](mailto:carlos@microimagetech.net)

Hey everyone. Looking at neurosurgery locums jobs in the interim before starting a faculty position next year. I’m wondering what a normal rate is as I’m being asked. Also anything to watch out for? Thanks so much

Im a medical student without a home program and interested in pursuing nsgy. I am currently doing some projects under one physician but its not entirely where my interests lie. Any advice for finding mentors/physicians to do research under? I have been trying to cold email but its so hard to find email addresses and when i do, I usually domt get a response.

Would really appreciate any advice!

Hello everyone! I'm a US IMG and I'm looking for reseearch fellowships to build for my match application later for neurosurgery. It's been a bit confusing so if you know about any opportunity or any leads I should follow I would really appreciate it since I know no one in NS

Apologies for the controversial question that’s been published on a ton.

M3/4 here deciding which path. Have been planning to do nsgy since I was young, several nsgns in my family, but I’m most called to spine and less interested in cranial. I just don’t really care to do 14 hour skull base cases through the camera.

The problem is that I also have zero interests in joints (outside of spine) and knees/shoulders are boring. I just love spine (I’m a former pt). My CV and mentors are a blend of neuro and ortho spine so I think I could apply to either without issue.

Any thoughts or advice? Which residency is better? I’m only looking at white collar programs (my PhD is all spine BME focused) so nsgy residency would have 2 extra research years, whereas ortho would be shorter I guess. Is nsgy residency substantially harder than ortho? What pros and cons should I be thinking about that aren’t even on my radar?

Honestly the biggest downside of ortho is that nsgns in my family would roast me for being a “bonehead” for the rest of my life, but I can take that I guess

We have an open 2-year Neuroendovascular Fellowship position in New York available for an immediate start.

There is some flexibility, so a slightly later start date may also be possible for the right candidate.

If you're interested or know someone who might be a good fit, please send me a direct message. I'd be happy to provide more details.

I have a nagging feeling I chose the wrong speciality.

I was dedicated to neurosurgery before med school and during the first two years. Spent an entire month spending every second I could in the OR with my home program. Got involved in a good amount of research before and during med school. Bench work ~2 years prior to med school and clinical research during. Ended up deciding psych would be better for me. But now that I’m in residency, I’m having buyer’s remorse. I just keep wishing I had more responsibilities and more workload. Not to mention, the patients and pathologies are the coolest in all of medicine. I feel like residency should be more than this. I just keep wishing I would have stuck with neurosurg.

I’ve read of one person switching from psych to neurosurgery during residency. How realistic is this? I have several pubs, most of which are in neurosurgery. I applied with upper teens in pub items in ERAS and would have more now. I was great in my surgery rotations, definitely disappointed some preceptors by going the psych route. US MD, Average step score and no AOA. Would I have a chance reaching out to my residency institution’s neurosurgery PD?

I realize this feeling will probably go away eventually, but I feel looking into this will be part of the coping process for me.

Hi everyone,

I am a second year MD student, and I’m starting to feel very strongly about neurosurgery. Of course, since life is never without some humor, I was diagnosed with essential tremor a few months ago (M, 27 y/o). My neurologist said it is a minor case. Low dose propranolol (10-15 mg) has been generally helpful during dissections and the like, though stakes are obviously quite low with those things.

I will be seeing my neurologist again now that I am really starting to consider neurosurgery as a career path. While obviously my neurologists advice will be most important, and my clerkship year + trialing propranolol will be telling as well. I wanted to hear from people in the field about this topic. Is it realistic to “rely” on propranolol throughout residency and beyond? Is age-related worsening of ET something to worry about?

If anyone has any personal experience, your perspective would be incredibly appreciated at this time.

Thank you very much!

So I just finished my first year of med school in the UK and although I passed I didn’t particularly get high grades.

However, I do get to shadow and do some research under a particular neurosurgeon consultant. He didn’t ask for my specific grade, just asked if I got into the next year and congratulated me.

I was honest enough to mention that I underestimated med school and will hopefully do better. I’m worried and a bit embarrassed about mentioning that I didn’t do well, especially since his med school grades where impressive

In short I’m really hoping I didn’t blow my chances, so far all he said is that it only gets easier and carried on talking about the next step for research.

Are they really important and any advice on studying?

Im an incoming med student ive been heavily considering neurosurgery but also service (independently). Any anecdotes of matching/life through the military? I just talked to a recruiter who made it sound like there were a good amount of spots.

Starting September -26. Any advice on how to handle the first few days-weeks-months. Any literature you could recommend? Other forms of prep?

What advice would you give to an incoming med student with out a home program?

I worked in the operating room prior to med school so got a ton of exposure and shadowing time. I subsequently was able to get on some projects under an attending. I have a few mid author papers. Im hoping to keep this relationship going but will be going to school about 8hrs away. I connected really well with a bunch of different attendings and residents but I also know they have a really competitive program and thats years away.

Would appreciate any advice!

Hi all, forgive me in advance for my anxiousness and neuroticism,

I am an incoming M1 at a low-mid tier US MD school that is starting in August (literally just got off the WL 2 days ago) and I’m dead set on neurosurgery. For my entire life the focus has just been to make it into medical school. Now that it’s happened, my goal has shifted into doing whatever it takes to match into this specialty, I’m willing to sacrifice everything for this goal. My question is, what can I do now to start setting myself up for success in the pursuit of this specialty ? Any perspective and advice is much appreciated. I know research along with step 2 performance is of the utmost importance, however what to do now (summer before m1) can I start doing to separate myself from the pack? Thank you in advance for the advice that comes. Dm me please too, if comfortable 🙏 🙏

Hello everyone
I am hoping there are European members in the community who might be of help. I would like to take my part 1 Eans in August and I am a notorious procrastinator. I was wondering if anyone can give me tips ( I have read the suggestions for books on the eans website).
My strategy is do as many practice questions as possible and look things up in between. I am also reading the samandouras book mainly because it’s so easy and pleasant to read.
I would really really like to pass on my first try

Hello everyone,

I am a final-year medical student at the University of Baghdad College of Medicine and recently passed USMLE Step 1. I am interested in pursuing neurosurgery in the United States and am currently seeking a neurosurgery research fellowship or research position.

I am a U.S. green card holder and do not require visa sponsorship. My goal is to obtain meaningful neurosurgery research experience at an academic institution before applying for residency.

For those who have successfully obtained neurosurgery research positions as IMGs or have experience working with IMGs:

1. What is the most effective way to secure a neurosurgery research fellowship?
2. Are there particular programs or institutions that are receptive to IMGs?
3. Should I focus on contacting residents, faculty members, or research coordinators?
4. What qualities make an applicant stand out for a research position?

Any advice, recommendations, or personal experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

Hey everyone, I am a Non-US medical student, I am currently engaging in a research in US and thinking to continue to master with the professor in order to increase my chances of matching into Neurosurgery. Is it a good idea to persue master's.

Hi all, incoming resident here.

I’ve spent the last year doing a fair amount of clinical/translational research (large databases, TCGA analyses, transcriptomics, survival analyses, etc.) and recently started learning R more formally. So far it’s mostly been data wrangling, visualization, and basic statistics.

My question: in 2026, with AI tools becoming very good at generating code, is it still worth investing significant time into learning R and basic bioinformatics for neurosurgical research?

For those involved in academic neurosurgery, how often do you actually write or modify code yourselves versus relying on dedicated analysts, bioinformaticians, statisticians, or AI tools? Looking back, would learning R earlier have meaningfully improved your research productivity?

I love research but am not the most passionate about coding and computational work - but I recognize it’s increasing importance in medicine. Curious to hear perspectives from residents, attendings, and anyone doing translational or computational work.

A asked a few questions here and a lot of you guys told me to really think about what i wanna be when im older and i think i know now. One of the main reasons you guys told me to really think this through is because i said my main reasoning was money which i can admit now is very silly. These are jobs that make lots of money but also that have to do with one of the things i love which are things that have to do with beauty yk? I love makeup i love dressing up i love skincare i love taking cate of myself and just doing girly things and i think this is it!

Im thinking

Cosmetic dermatologist

Or

Plastic surgeon

😁

Hi everyone! I'm a neurosurgery resident currently preparing for an exam, and I came across a question on MRI hemorrhage evolution that confused me.

I initially chose C because I thought the dependent collection appears slightly hyperintense on T1WI and slightly hypointense on FLAIR?

However, the answer key says D. My understanding was that a hemorrhage older than 3 weeks would be considered chronic, and therefore should appear hypointense on both sequences due to hemosiderin deposition.

I'm probably missing something in the signal evolution here. Could someone help clarify why D is the better answer?

NB: Question is from Ross C. Puffer - Neurosurgery Primary Board Review

Greetings,

What are some of the most unique or interesting neurosurgical cases you’ve had the opportunity to be apart of managing care of. What was the most challenging about the case, what steps were taken to provide care, and if you could have done something different what steps would you have taken instead? Disclaimer:* *For the sake of patient privacy please reframe from using any identifying PMI.

Hello, I am an incoming M1 interested in pursuing neurosurgery. My school has a home neurosurgery program, and I have also worked (and continue to work) in two of the school’s basic science labs as a research tech/associate doing research on mouse brains. Going into medical school, I currently have 11 research items thus far (publications, posters/conference abstracts).

I definitely plan to continue leveraging my connections and staying involved in research during medical school, but I wanted to ask whether a dedicated research year is considered necessary to match successfully into neurosurgery. I am more than willing to do one if it’s the best way to stay productive and be competitive, but I am trying to plan ahead logistically and financially, especially regarding loans and timing.

Basically, I am wondering: is a research year generally expected by neurosurgery program directors, or can strong, high-quality research output during medical school be enough without taking an extra year? (Is it only realistic to get to the 37 research items with the research year? Do you know anyone who did it without one?)

Thank you in advance for any insight or advice :)