Now that rank lists are in, curious to see folks top and bottom three this cycle

Didn't match neurosurgery, had a spot open up in a radiology residency after a surgery prelim and took that route.

Would it be insane to re-apply for neurosurgery after ? Would anyone give a shot to someone who reapplied after completing a radiology residency? 

Or stick to the neurorad to NIR route? I've gotten some NIR experience during residency, much more than would be typical, so there may be decent odds of finding a spot and it would only be another 2-3 years vs 7.

I'll be starting med school this upcoming Fall, and I'm trying to decide between NYU, Columbia, and Mayo. I have full scholarships at all schools so finance won't be a decision factor thankfully.

I know it's quite early to say, but I'd like to match to NS and was wondering if anyone had thoughts on which med school would best prepare me for the path of an academic neurosurgeon. 

Are they all similar in terms of prestige and training level/exposures during clerkships? Or will one particularly be better or open more doors than others due to its prestige or network?

Hope this is not too much of a naive question. Thank you.

Do you log EVD removals as 62256 "Removal of complete cerebrospinal fluid shunt system; without replacement" in the ACGME system? I'm guessing this code refers to internalized and not externalized shunts

If you got an interview invite, did you have to reply immediately to get a spot? Or do they generally send out the same amount of invites as they have slots? Asking because I'm applying next cycle and will be working full time with periods where I don't have access to my phone

Do you guys typically do laminectomy first, followed by cage placement? Or put in cage first and decompress after. For open tlif

Alright I am an applicant with a weird situation and if anyone has some input please let me know. I applied this year and have a lot of interviews (ranking 32 places) and have super high stats/research etc, but the problem is that at almost every interview it was brought up that my chair letter was borderline negative. It is my fault and I did not know the answers to many questions he asked me on my clinic day with him, but basically I am here now and don’t have any “love letters” from any programs and the PD of my #1 didn’t even respond to my LOI which scares the shit out of me haha. I feel like I really need to prep for not matching and really don’t think I can ask my home PD/chair for help so I want to know if anyone thinks it would be a good idea to try again through a surg prelim, or if having a negative LOR is not something that can be overcome in a re-app as it will be remembered. I have a wife and kid and as much as I love neurosurgery, not about to gamble all our lives for a hopeless task and will try my best in SOAP for neuro/IM/FM if reapplying isn’t realistic.

wondering if anyone has joined army reserve or air force reserve during neurosurg residency? Is it feasible? what would program directors think if you tell them that? 1 weekend a month commitment & 2 weeks annually. If someone is currently doing that, please share experiences.

Please discuss.

I am a med student applying this upcoming cycle feeling a little discouraged by lack of support from my home program. I just don’t have faith the faculty I have worked with will make calls / advocate for me when the time comes despite doing what I believe are the right things (getting a good step, publishing 30 papers with various home faculty, doing a research year etc). Are there others out there that feel that way? Any tips for success in the match when you cannot necessarily rely on your home program?