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?

What wording do people use for letters of interest and intent? I plan to tell #1 they are #1, then the next few that they are "at the top of my list," then the next few that they are "very high" on my list, and the next few they are "high on my list." Then plan to tell the remining programs that I greatly enjoyed meeting their faculty and would be happy to train there. Any thoughts? Advice? Would this help or hurt me in their eyes?

I am well-aware this is not a common scenario but I feel the autonomy is so limited in my program with the exception of traumas. Is there a problem with leaving to another program as PGY 6 with potentially adding an extra year? Would you be comfortable to go to a fellowship (no fellowship secured yet) when you barely know how to open and close skull base and aneurysm cases? Attendings are heavily involved in exposure and critical portion of surgeries. 
Thinking of what surgeries I will be comfortable doing if I stay in this program makes me going nuts. I will be limited to simple intra-axial brain tumors, shunts, traumas, PCFs and simple laminectomies. 

What do people recommend here? Another point of view is just to graduate from my program and work on my skills later?

Hey guys/gals, does anybody have any experience with USF for sub-i or life as a resident? Have heard that it could be an understated gem before, but the program seems to be an enigma in terms of reputation and training. . Any ideas on strengths and weaknesses of subspecialties? Faculty mentoring and willing to teach? Overall culture, operative autonomy? Research heavy vs operative heavy? Just trying to gauge where it falls in regards to other programs in the southern part of the country especially in comparison to UF, Miami, Emory, or a Carolinas for instance. 

Thanks 

Anyone hear of PGY2 openings for upcoming academic year? Seems like it’s all word of mouth

Does anyone else find it off-putting that Aaron Cohen-Gadol is using Neurosurgical Atlas as a platform to funnel patients to himself and his business? Maybe this is just how things have to be to support a resource like Neurosurgical Atlas but this just reeks of exploiting what's supposed to be a resource for all neurosurgeons for personal gain.

I'm an MS3 who's been doing clinical research for the past 3 years. I've published many papers (20+) but over the past few months I've realized that I've missed the intellectual rigor that comes with working in a basic science lab. During undergrad, I employed 2-photon imaging/optogenetics to study the mouse brain, but didn't realize until too late that my interests were more actually suited towards molecular biology/computation. If I were to do a post-doc/fellowship following med school, I'd probably know less than an undergrad given that I never learned basic molecular bio techniques. 

Therefore, I was wondering if there was some way in the future that I can get involved in basic science studies without having to run a laboratory? I've seen some of the neurosurgeons at my institution collaborate with basic scientists, so perhaps that's one option? I also really enjoy computation/coding, although I'm not sure how to apply those skills. In general, I'm wondering if anyone here has seen any neurosurgeons participate in high level studies without having to actually run a traditional lab? I've seen presentations online from neurosurgeons like Chris Ames from UCSF who've done some high level research without running their own lab. I'm hoping to eventually go into spine as well with a focus on complex spinal deformity.