like the subject says lol

Anyone hear back about late breaking abstracts? Were supposed to be out last Friday

I'm an Asian American who has basically spent his entire life in California (high school, undergrad, med school). As I enter my last year of medical school, I'll likely be applying to residency programs in the Midwest. However, I am concerned about what it would be like for an Asian American to live/practice medicine in a predominately white area. If there are any Asian Americans on this forum who have done their residency/medical school in the Midwest, I was curious if you be open to sharing your experiences being a resident in these areas? I understand that racism exists everywhere. I've even encountered racism in my pretty liberal city (primarily at the VA). However, I'm concerned it would be amplified if I entered more conservative parts of the US.

As a resident logging cases near the end of my training at a large academic program, does anyone else feel like there is an overemphasis of spine in our residency training? Almost half of the cases are spine, and the minimum requirements favor spine over open vascular, tumor, functional, peripheral nerve, epilepsy, hydrocephalus, and trauma combined. Why is this? Most medical students entering neurosurgery  are not seeking to become spine surgeons (admittedly many do switch). What value is there to having senior residents do round after round of ALIF, XLIF, T10-Pelvis, and corpectomies they will never do again? This seems like a total misallocation of our training hours in the OR for those not pursuing spine.

MGH just started a spine fellowship. In general is a fellowship at MGH a good idea? Heard from many different people that their volume is low so curious about what to expect in terms of operative experience as a fellow. Does MGH have low volume in every sub specialty?

To paint a broad picture of myself, I go to a top med school with a top home neurosurgery program. I have 20+ publications and great board scores. 

My sub-Is will likely be scheduled for September and October of this year (unfortunately can't do it any earlier because of how my school's 4th year is set up which sucks). I understand that I'll need 3 LORs by September 28 which is when PDs can begin reviewing applications. My current plan regarding the 3rd letter is to ask for a letter during the early 3rd week of my first away neurosurgery sub-I and hope that it's on time. However, if I can't get this 3rd letter by the 28 deadline, I'll likely have to submit a 3rd home letter. Therefore, I was wondering if it's okay if 3 LORs come from my home program and then a 4th letter submitted in early October from my first away program. I'm not sure how I'll get a letter from my 4th sub-I, but the earliest I can probably get that letter is late October. Does anyone have any advice on what to do? I feel confidently about my overall application with the exception of this situation. Thank you.

Short story is that I take Step 1 on March 3 (my school takes Step 1 after 3rd year). Some programs mention that they require step 1 scores on their sub-I applications and additionally have a deadline of March 31. Does anyone know how stringent these programs are about the Step 1 requirement?

Anyone that can give insight into the Oklahoma program? Considering applying to sub-I there. Have heard that it is really great but some thread commented that it is likely in the bottom 10 residency programs. I don't necessarily care about prestige, I just want to get quality training -- be taking part in key portions of surgeries, minimize unnecessary scut, etc.

I was planning to work in the lab this summer of a well-respected surgeon. However, it fell through just today because of some unforeseen event. What to do???? I feel so depressed.

I was reading the twitter feed of the guy who wrote a book called "Surviving neurosurgery." but who then dropped out after 1 year in residency. 



He works as a consultant now. 



Anyways, he re-tweeted this tweet: "Medical training takes some of the most compassionate, idealistic young people in our society and systemically crushes their spirit. It’s easy to take advantage of people who are passionate about their work, who see it as more of a calling than a job."



Is that reaily the case? Does medical training really destroy you? Or was it just written by a bitter person?