I understand that in order to become a CNS/AANS chair you need to be an authority in the field and have unique contributions in academic neurosurgery. I am very disappointed to see Alex Valadka, Sacarrow or Shelly Timmons taking these chair positions. Sacarrow spent all his career in private practice. Valadka spent all his career as an owner for a private group in Texas and just moved to his alma mater in Richmond for chair position. Shelly Timmons joined organized neurosurgery 3 years ago and thanks to women in neurosurgery for getting her in the AANS washington committee.

Unfortunately, this beautiful speciality is going to fall apart sooner than later just because of politics and inapproriate biased nominations in organized neurosurgery. Historically, Neurosurgeons are poor scientists but good surgeons. This current generation in organized neurosurgery has poor surgeons and shitty surgeons

planning to apply this cycle. step 1 in low 200s, step 2 in 240s. have 6 1st author pubs in neurosurgery. took an year off for research. Grades: combination of HPs, couple of Hs and 2 passes. Not AOA. I have been getting mixed reviews from attendings regarding applying to neurosurgery. Some say its risky to apply and others say its all about LORs. Not sure wat to do? Will be doing sub Is this year.Would like to apply to some general surgery programs as a back up. But was told that chances of getting interviews in programs with dual application in the same program in very low.  Any input will be really appreciated. I am pretty firm on pursuing neurosurg.

My P.D. wants me to do an away rotation there. Is it a malignant program?

How much does it hurt my chances to have research in another surgical specialty? I did a research year in a different surgical field between M2 and M3, and now I'm having doubts about that field and am seriously considering NS after exposure to the field during third year. My Step 1 score is okay (250+), and my clinical grades are currently pending. Any input/advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

BWhat are the general consensus for cutoff for 
1) Having to take Step 2 early to make up for step 1.  What score necessitates making up for with Step 2?
2) A score where it's not worth it to apply regardless of your other metrics
3) A score where no one will give any interviews
4) Can research, letters, and 3rd year mitigate scores in a certain range
5) Scores that get screened regardless

Hi all, 
Has it ever worked for anyone (specially an IMG) to do a surgery prelim in order to match into NS in the future?
Talking about a decent applicant who maybe didn't match for something like not enough USCE. Any input on this?

Stay away from this program extremely malignant. Fired 7 resident last 5-6 years. Two in the past year. Residents hate each other, very shitty program. Home of quadruple scrub. Harbaugh is there but he is older than the dinosaurs talking about retiring soon, never operates anymore. While was there heard talks that Shelly Timmons might become the next chair. Which is warning sign. She is strong politician but sucks badly as surgeon. Made her career on ICU stuff and sucks badly in the operating room. Again stay away from this program I rotated there and could not wait for the moment to finish, very bad environment.

After looking through the works hours thread and SubI forum, I'm curious in compiling information on each program's strengths.

Which programs lean academic vs heavily operative? What about cranial vs spinal? What about between the different subspecialties? 

For example, I've heard so far that MGH/BWH are academic and cranial focused, Pitt and Barrow are great for operating, USC/Washington are balanced, etc

The whole Sub-I system is one big clogged artery. De-centralized applications, different application/lottery methods, different notification timelines.

I got a Sub-I at a good place recently, but this was my backup. I'm going to hear back about a dream place soon. Is it a complete dick move to accept the Sub-I, then cancel if I hear good news from the other place? This place is not somewhere I'd imagine will be high on my list, just wanted to try something new. Of course, I'd do it if I didn't get into my other choice.

Hey everyone, I'm in kind of a predicament. I start Step 1 studying tomorrow. Obviously this is my first priority over the coming weeks (got 6). The lab Im working in is on the cusp of finishing (next three weeks) work on 3 manuscripts which I have been offered authorship on. The PI likes me, is a good dude, and knows what Step 1 means for my ambitions. All three going to be submitted to high impact journals (Nature/Stroke). I legitimately think that these papers will be big. However this requires that I spend at least 3-4 hours in lab for the first couple weeks of my Step 1 time. I was wondering if anyone could give me advice on what to do, should I try and make it work? Or should I say fuck it and focus only on Step 1. I feel like this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for a medical student which is what is causing my hesitation. Obviously if I get worked on Step 1, the papers don't matter at all.