MS3 here at a mid-tier USMD school who just finished up their surgery rotation a few weeks ago. I missed the cutoff for honors by a few points on my shelf, so I will only get a pass or high-pass (should be high-pass since most residents and attendings seemed to like me well enough), but I’m worried this is going to be an issue when it comes to applying given the competitiveness of the field and the fact that step 1 won’t be a thing for my pool of applicants (so I’m assuming more weight will be placed on clinical grades and step 2 for this reason). 

Other info app as of now: I have 7 pubs. 3 of those are first author but not in nsg (did lots of basic science work in undergrad and some IM work in M2), and 4 are 2nd+ with 2 of them being case reports in nsg. I have a decent number of EC’s and did well in M1 and M2, though I know pre-clinicals don’t matter much. I’m just having trouble consistently doing well on shelves for some reason (have one honor and one high-pass thus far). In any case: is a pass or high-pass going to be a dealbreaker for a lot of programs? Any insights and advice on what to do moving forward is greatly appreciated.

Is there a spreadsheet somewhere with interview offer information and for swapping?
Or maybe just a thread to post when offers go out from somewhere so people know?

Does anyone have a list of programs that currently offer enfolded fellowships in PGY7?

Who would you say are the biggest names in Boston and who would be the rising stars? Carter? Chiocca? Curry? Richardson?

I'm a new M1 starting at a T5 school. I'm interested in neurosurgery (bunch of shadowing and some neuro research from undergrad). I'm trying to decide how to best allocate my limited time in the next few years. In general, it seems the most important factors for matching to academic programs (UCSF, MGH, Stanford, etc.) seem to be big-name faculty sponsor, then research (not just quantity), and finally sub-I and away performance.

A few questions:
1. The faculty I started research with (due to interest in functional) is not like the biggest wig in my home department, but his students (albeit few) have published well (in basic research) and gone to top academic programs. Meanwhile, when I contacted my program director, it seemed there weren't any open projects for me and he also said that it is better that I keep doing what I like within neurosurgery (my PD does brain tumor not functional) since that makes for a better "story" for applications. Is it true that I'm better off building my profile on what "niche" within nsgy that I enjoy or is just wiser to be as promiscuous as possible with project and mentor selection (depth vs. breadth)?

2. If it is indeed the case that I'm better off doing what I like over just some random junk project with a big-wig, how can I build bonds with the big-name people? Do I ask to regularly shadow them as an M1? Perform well on sub-I (are the big-names even there on sub-I?)? I'm on the board of my school's nsgy interest group so maybe use that to connect somehow?

3. for the Cali programs, what is the best way to go about getting on their good side as an out-of-state applicant? Is an away rotation the only way? Or a research year at the Cali program? Or do I pray my program director will just call on my behalf to the Cali director?

Thanks!

Are there any after hours resident social events that get scheduled during conferences like CNS, AANS, etc?

Any rising stars in skull base/open vascular? Seem to know the prior generation but curious about new faculty.

Can anyone share currently available PGY1 OR 2 spots?

How many percent of neurosurgery applicants were raised with a silver spoon? Seems like almost all of them. Will this change?

What programs are best to avoid if you can? (ie. malignant, miserable residents)

What programs have crappy resident culture?

Any programs where residents don't get good operative experience (triple scrub, low autonomy)

Input welcomed.