I'm an international student in a top 40 US medical school and I've wanted to do NS since I was in college. I'm worried about not matching because of my stats and the fact that I'll need a J1 or H1b visa.
Stats:
Step 1: 238
Step 2: 240+
Honors in all except med and peds (high pass)
2 first author pubs, 1 first author review, 1 book chapter, 2 non-first author pubs
Currently taking a year off for NS research.

Should I apply to all possible NS programs and hope for the best, or dual apply with a backup (not clear on which other specialty yet)? My app basically screams NS so I'm also worried if I dual apply, the other programs will definitely know they are a backup.

How big a deal is this, if at all?

I've heard mixed things about this program. Can anybody who sub-I ed here comment on this program? Volume must be great, seems like most graduates go into private practice and stay around the area, neuro-onc and functional seem to be strengths. Any weaknesses?

Thoughts?

Both are in rust-belt-ish cities that have rebuilt around their medical center, affordable cities, super shitty winter vs shitty winter weather.

Buffalo known for endovascular/vascular and is building their overall reputation.
Case seems to do more open vascular / spine and has a slightly more established rep.

Overall they seem pretty similar?

Hey dudes and dudettes - what have you been wearing when you show up for a second look? Do you come in a suit, scrubs, business casual with white coat?

I'm taking a year off for research. That means 1 letter from my PI during my research year; another from my PI and mentor at my home institution, and a 3rd from my home department chair. 

That means I'll only be using 1 letter from my away rotations. I'll be doing two nonetheless. But I'm wondering: will programs on the residency trail see both away sites? Or only the one I use the letter for?

In other words, is there any point in picking two programs with, say, "geographic diversity", if programs on the trail will only see the one I use the letter for?

I'm at the end of the interview cycle. I take CK in a week. 

Part of me just wants to get it over with. I had a good Step 1 score. Will CK scores matter for the rest of my life? I.e. should I take extra time to study more, in case it affects fellowship apps later etc?

Sup y'all,
just curious as to what everyone thinks about Stereotactic and functional neurosurgery and the it's prospects/future? I've attended a bunch of procedures, and it was honestly the most interesting thing I've ever seen. On the other hand, the clinic days of the functional neurosurgeon was a drag, it was mostly just battery replacements for the DBS probes, is there anyway the surgeon can outsource that work? or is it ethically reprehensible?

Has anyone used it to study for primary ABNS exam?

It is described as "This indispensable book will help neurosurgeons and neurosurgical residents prepare thoroughly for written and oral board examinations," but I don't have a copy and can't tell if it's JUST focused on the 'neurosurgery' portion of the exam, or if it's truly comprehensive like Citow or Psarros?

Any advice appreciated.

https://www.thieme.com/books-main/neurosurgery/product/2094-neurosurgery-knowledge-update

So I got the invitation to VSAS today, but most of the application dates are for March/April/May of 2018 and nothing afterwards.

Do the other dates open up at a specific time? Should I just check VSAS every day until the dates for these programs show up?