How important is it to have Step 2 CK/CS complete prior to ERAS submission in September?

I scored a 250 on Step 1. I took time off for research after Step 1, and will be applying in the upcoming cycle. I would strongly prefer not to take additional time off studying now, so I can focus on my home sub-I and two aways in the summer.

Any calls from PDs yet? When can we start expecting to be contacted?

generally which programs consistently produce the most sought after residents / provide best junior level attending job prospects?

Any PGY 3 or 4 opening?

Hello,
I'm an MSIII planning to apply for neurosurgery this upcoming cycle. My school does not have a home program so I'm planning to do 3 away rotations at top tier programs (hopefully). How many programs should I apply to for aways? I've heard overdoing it can look bad if you're accepted into a program and turn it down, but I also don't want to risk not getting 3 offers. I recognize this is a nuanced discussion, but I'm just looking for input.

Step 1 score: 261
Step 2: not taken yet
Clerkships: I've honored 4/4 clerkships thus far (IM, FM, neurology, psychiatry); not sure how many I'll have honored by the time my applications are being reviewed
Research: 2 pubs in clinical research, 1 poster presentation

Thanks in advance.

How hard is it to get a position at an academic hospital if you didn’t train at a top 20 program? From what I’ve seen, residents at those programs have access to the resources and people who can make that much easier, it’s a self-propagating machine.

Hey if I don’t match you think it’s possible to scramble ortho? 

Ultimately I wanna do spine I just prefer spine with a side of brain but I’m ok in either tbh

Hello all, current M3 interested in neurosurgery. Have 10+ pubs, 20+ posters, and competitive step score. However, I feel like my life has revolved around neurosurgery completely for multiple years. I did not take a gap year after undergrad, but I have been considering taking one now by choice so I can have the opportunity to travel and have time for self-reflection and self-discovery (not necessarily to publish or bolster my application). I have no doubts about neurosurgery, but I understand that once residency starts that I won't be able to take this kind of time for myself.

Would this be a major red flag? Or would programs/PD's understand the intention and respect the decision?

Any new vacancies anyone heard of?

What's your practice for working up a patient with a newly-diagnosed "likely primary" brain tumor? If you have somebody with a new-onset seizure who's got what looks like a GBM on imaging, do you still get whole-body imaging to exclude mets?