is it better to withdraw subI apps before getting a decision? heard that programs won't interview you if you decline an offer to subI.

Hello Neurosurgery hub users!

I'm asking for advice on how to determine how much emphasis a program on research in the matching process? Is it mainly word of mouth, program reputation, who the chair is etc? 

I ask because I have built a solid application that is light on research. 259 step 2, excellent clinical grades, an MPH and what I believe will be very strong letters of recommendation from reputable faculty, but I am lacking in publications. Only 3 neurosurgery publications thus far in medical school (one 1st author, one 3rd author in a high impact journal), once you factor in case reports/abstracts/posters that number rises to 14 but from what I've heard those are not weighed too heavily. I hope I can continue building this part of my resume over the coming months but that is where I sit only 1 month from the end of M3. Truth be told I don't really enjoy research that much. While it can be interesting, it is not what has fueled my passion for neurosurgery. I'm sure I will continue to do some research as a resident/attending but I'm the type of applicant who would much rather do an enfolded fellowship to spend more time in the OR than do a research project as a PGY5. 

I know a research year would be recommended (which I am considering) but if I were to apply this coming year what programs have a history of not weighing research as heavily as their peers? I assume this would take the large academic centers like MGH/Pitt/Hopkins/UCSF etc off the table which I'm perfectly fine with as I'd be willing to go anywhere in the country to train. Any advice would be greatly appreciated as I'm trying to do my due diligence as I compile a list of potential locations to do Sub-Is and programs to signal. 

Thank you in advance

Step 1: Pass
Step 2: 239
2 Honors Not IM Not Surgery. 
20 Publications, 4 first author. (One Basic Science 1st Author, otherwise all Meta-analysis or Cohort Studies) 
USMD. Not T20 (T30, top 20 on Doximity for NS) 


For Reference. 
2022 charting outcomes. 
NS: 67% match rate (21 matched of 31) 
Gen Surg: 72% match rate (131 matched of 180) 
Neurology: 97% match rate (82 matched of 84) 


Any insight would be helpful. Unsure of what to do moving forward. 
Currently returning from a research year. 
Thank you.

How are these viewed for residency? Are they viewed the same as manuscripts?

Any schools that will even look at an app with a step 2 in the 240s? 
Provided all other parts of the app are great (research, grades, etc)

I was accepted to both sub-Is for USC and Cedars, but the USC sub-I isn't until Sept and ends the day ERAS is due vs. Cedars, which is in August. Which would you guys recommend doing? Would I be hurting myself by doing a sub-I at USC by it being so late in the game? One of the plus points is that USC interviews all of their sub-Is, I believe. There is a bit of a time crunch so I would appreciate any and all suggestions, thank you!

Hello. I made a post like this in the USMLE board about my general chances but would like some recommendations for specific Sub I. Found some of the feedback a little confusing in the other discussion and reposting here since this one is specific to the Sub I.

I did very poorly my first two years (some Cs, rest Bs) and a low 22x step 1. Since then I've done my PhD,  with 7 first author basic research papers (no cell/nature) Inc one in science translational and 4 in neuro journals, multiple other co authorship, and 7 other papers from other experiences from.my gap and first year. All are research articles except for 3 review papers. I'm in the process of pushing out some neurosurg articles over the next 2 years.

I'm trying to make a list of Sub I programs to apply to this year. I'm planning on 3. In the other thread I was told to apply to "MGH"-esque programs and less competitive programs such as Stanford, Michigan, Yale, Florida, West Virginia, and more. I found this a bit confusing since I would have assumed some of those names like MGH, Stanford, Michigan to be highly competitive and not even worth me doing a sub I at. 


I would ideally like to match into a research-focused program and would like to do Sub I's at institutions I have a chance matching at. My current list includes

UFlorida, UMass, UCSD, UIC, U Washington, Georgetown/NIH, Ohio State. With the recommendations above, I was thinking about looking into Stanford, Michigan, and MGH as well but I'm still not sure if I have a realistic shot at those places. Wanted to get your opinions.

Any other places I should consider applying to?

As above. Scored below 240. No Honors. Not T20.

Any numbers on what are chances of obtaining fellowship? e.g. similar to how NRMP releases numbers on residency acceptance rates

Specifically, interested in peds if anyone has that data.

Anyone know what programs are on probation this year?