Hey guys, just wondering, so I have 13 interviews and I'm unsure if I'll match so I've obviously started thinking about soap/scramble vs prelim vs preresidency fellowship vs research year

I honestly don't know much about the process and was hoping to ask for some advice and the pros and cons of each and how the soap even works. my school has been really unhelpful so I'm just lost and a bit overwhelmed by the situation.

thank you everyone in advance, I really appreciate it!

Hey everyone, MS2 here looking for some insight. I know that the average pubs cited on NRMP is around 18 for matched neurosurgery but that includes pubs along with posters and abstracts. Wondering how many actual publications I should be aiming for to have a good chance to match at highly academic programs like Columbia, MGH, Stanford, UCSF, etc. I understand the more the better but with the various projects I am taking on now I’m projecting about 8-9 papers before matching, a mix of some basic science and some clinical. Should I be aiming higher and putting more effort into picking up more clinical projects? I attend a highly ranked med school if that’s relevant. Thanks

Has anyone heard back on abstracts submitted for AANS 2020?

Any thoughts on the merits of doing more than 2 aways? Did anyone find that this substantively helped/hurt in your decision making and competitiveness as an applicant?

When is a good time to send a “I’m ranking you #1” email, particularly if my #1 program is already done interviewing? Thanks!

How is the trail going? What programs have stood out, good or bad?

Please post match results from today!

I recently came into a stryker sonopet aspirator, I bought a box at a garage sale and it happened to in there. I will sell it cheap, I just want it to go to the right place.

Hi, i tried my best to post this in the right section but my questions are a bit all over the place. I'm sorry if this is in the wrong section. (I also apologise if i offend anyone or come off as way in over my head or ignorant on the difficulty in the US match - it is not my intention )

I'm interested in the US because of family that is located there and its significance to medicine.

TLDR: What requirements would I need to fill to pursue surgery in the US and what would be the best pathway

Im currently an Australian 'premed' with an assured path to an MD at UWA. I rejected offers at higher ranked institutions (UQ with its ochsner program, UNSW, Uni of Sydney) because it was local (although I'm sure these ranks don't matter in the US?). I currently have a perfect GPA but am unsure in my ability to get a competitive mark in the MCAT (because it has been years since I've sat any aptitude tests). I'm sure if i apply for a graduate pathway I will however be able to receive another offer at Australian medical schools (via GAMSAT). 

The majority of my undergraduate background is in Neuroscience (and I'm not sure if this is a red flag for surgeries other than neurosurgery). I have family friends who are interventional neuroradiologists and neurosurgeons in other states, most of whom have done their fellowships in the US (How much of an advantage is this for potential LORs?)

I think there is a realistic chance that my immediate family (dad and mom) will be moving to the US (in the next ~10 years) and if this happens I wanted to pry about my options in pursuing a medical career in the US.

From my online research and limited knowledge either:
1. I can try and apply to a US medical school (however I doubt I will do well on the MCAT and am unsure about the ability to prove financial stability) and the costs would be high incase my immediate family stays in AUS
2. I complete postgraduate training in Australia and relocate to the US for a fellowship (would i be competitive in matching into a US residency after this)
3. I can complete medical school in Australia and try to 'match' into a surgery residency immediately after graduating

Also for the 3rd option, what scores should i be aiming for in USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK (considering I will have alot more time for dedicated study than US medical students), and what rough scores would indicate that i should give up on pursuing a surgery/neurosurgery residency. Furthermore, my school allows clinical electives in our final year - would this be recommended and how competitive would it be to find a relevant elective in the US (and would this adversely impact on my MSPE) (I know of past students doing clinical work in Torronto - would this be of any use).

Also are non-medical work experiences an advantage, or would it be better to invest the time in trying to score higher in the USMLE?

The current picture i have put together is to sit the USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK during/after my first year of medical school, and use the scores to determine whether it is viable to continue pursuing a surgery/neurosurgery residency. I would love to get involved in research after completing my MD but I am unsure on how this would work in the US or if it is viable for me to do research in any capacity in the US without residency?

Also is it viable to match into another residency after completing an initial residency (years after?). If this is the case would it be worth pursuing a less competitive residency and using that to build US connections and good standing before trying to match into surgery?

Again, I'm sorry because it feels like im way in over my head, especially when seeing some of the monster achievements of competitive applicants but I wanted to pry about these questions far in advance.

Thank you for your time

Happy Thanksgiving y'all! 
Quick question about Step 1. I scheduled my exam for the last week of April. I am planning to use BB, UFAP, USMLE Rx Qmax, Amboss question bank, and Sketchy. Do you guys think this is being ambitious? Thank you in advance!