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Neurology. A Guide to the Match. What is Neurology?. Clinical treatment of neurologic disease Chronic: MS, Parkinson ’ s, dementia, headache Acute: stroke, critical care Long-term patient relationships Evolving field with lots of research opportunities Not just “ diagnose and adios ”.
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Neurology A Guide to the Match
What is Neurology? • Clinical treatment of neurologic disease • Chronic: MS, Parkinson’s, dementia, headache • Acute: stroke, critical care • Long-term patient relationships • Evolving field with lots of research opportunities • Not just “diagnose and adios”
Low - 240 K Medium - 260 K High – 300K Career Paths $$ www.doximity.com/careers Medscape.com
Career Paths • Academic vs. private vs. mixed • Research opportunities • Basic, translational, clinical • Most residents fellowships academic affiliated or private practice • Some go directly to private practice
Fellowships • Fellowships are common, not overly competitive • https://www.aan.com/fellowship/ • Vascular/stroke, neuro-critical care • MS/neuro-immunology, movement, headache, pain, imaging, sleep, neuro-ophtho, oncology, cognitive, imaging • Neurophys – EEG/EMG, epilepsy, neuromuscular • Research • 1-3 years
Structure of Residency • 1 year medicine + 3 years neurology = 4 years • Categorical: all 4 included, no need for prelim • Advanced: PGY 2 - 4 • Often need separate prelim spot • Some programs have guaranteed spot, may or may not need to interview on same day or separately • ^^ They may not tell you this until your interview day
Structure of Residency • Categorical vs. Advanced In general: • Northeast: advanced • Midwest: categorical • West: advanced • South: categorical • Read program website, ERAS, FREIDA carefully!
Thinking of Neurology? • Join the AAN for free: • http://tinyurl.com/AANstudent(need dean or department to sign) • NIHSS Certification • Take Basic Neuro (NEU 801) as MS3, or early MS4 (B, C) • BGH/consult: variety of cases and attendings • GVI/stroke: high volume stroke center, hands-on • NICU: new student rotation • VA and WCHOB have fewer pts, so let coordinator know about your interest
Preparing to Apply • When you decide on neuro, contact Dr. Silvestri njs6@buffalo.edu (program director) • Take Advanced Neuro (NEU 805) early MS4 • Contact Eva Tamoga ejtamoga@buffalo.edu • Electives: research, neurosurgery, sleep, chronic pain… • Aways are NOT necessary • Research NOT necessary (but helpful) • But can e-mail Silvestri/faculty for advice if you’re interested
USMLE Step 2 • Schedule a date ASAP, they fill up! • Required by Dec. 31 of MS4 year per UB • Get CS out of the way • Most programs do not require CK, but it helps
Personal Statement • Start writing during/after rotation • Ask for help editing and proofreading
Letters of Recommendation • Ask early and follow up! • “Do you feel comfortable writing a positive letter…” • Provide draft of PS, CV, LOR request form • Optional: USMLE, list of programs • 4 MAX letters on ERAS • 3 neuro + 1 medicine, usually • Chair letter – Gil Wolfe gilwolfe@buffalo.edu • Many prelims require Medicine Chair letter – contact Anne Curtis early abcurtis@buffalo.edu http://tinyurl.com/ubmdneurologyfor affiliated faculty and e-mail
Selecting Programs • Assess your competitiveness • Step 1: 225, Step 2: 233 • Mean # Research: 3 • HUGE difference between Top and Middle Tier • Big name college XX big name program
Selecting Programs • Apply to 15-30 programs top/mid tier • More if weaker applicant • Easier to turn down programs • Prelims: more competitive! • Apply based on region, # advanced • Submit Sept. 15
Interviews • Invites begin ~2 wks after ERAS opens • Check your e-mail A LOT • Reply immediately; call if you don’t hear back • Have a calendar handy • E-mail coordinators directly about more available dates, waitlist dates, coordinating travel
Interviews • Schedule as many as you can • Some programs may surprise you! • Try to go on 10-12 • Cancel early so others can interview (and it’s polite)
Interviews • Late October to late January (F/G/H/I) • UB allows 3 days/elective for interviews • If you need more, ask attending directly; don’t e-mail department coordinator • Anatomy TA, radiology at VA, EMed, Path • E-mail Dr. Cohan about Neuro TA early (G/H/I) • Try to avoid Advanced Medicine
Interviews • Unofficial average cost: $10,000 • Reach out to friends and family in area • Check hospitals’ website if they have discounted rates at local hotels • Book flights early – Southwest, Priceline/etc • If you stick with one airline, you’ll probably fly enough to qualify for free flights • UB HOST: https://medicine.buffalo.edu/alumni/ub-host.html • Residency Relocation Loanshttp://tinyurl.com/relocationloans • Private companies tend to have better rates
Travel Wisdom • Take your suit as carry-on • Travel with phone numbers/e-mail of coordinator in case of delay/getting lost • Bring bleach pen, floss, extra pair of tights, umbrella
Pre-Interview Dinner • Informal setting, chat with residents: • Are they happy? • Do they like each other? • What do they think about the program? • Business casual • If the residents are drinking, you can too
Interview Day • 7:30-ish to 3:00-ish • Intro by PD or resident • Interviews: 3-6, 15-30+ minutes, usually 1-on-1 • Prepare questions! Read up on program. • Tour • Lunch with residents +/- faculty BE YOURSELF!
Common Interview Questions • Why neurology? What subspecialty? • Describe an interesting case. • Describe a difficult [anything]. • Personal strengths or weaknesses? • DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR ME?
After the Interview • Send thank you notes (e-mail okay) • Second looks NOT required, don’t get pressured • Take notes on program • NRMP Prism app
Ranking • ROL opens mid-January; closes late February • Consider: • Faculty and residents • Diversity/breadth of training • Research and elective time • Fellowship opportunities in-house; placement of residents • Location • The Match favors YOU; don’t try to game the system • Ask: Would I rather match here or not match?
Take Home Points • Do neuro rotation ASAP • Develop relationships with faculty • 3 neuro letters + 1 med/other • Research • Personal statement – don’t wait until September! • Maintain or get non-medical hobbies • Look into programs in May/June • Apply to 15-30, interview at 10-12 • Submit application at earliest date
Helpful Websites • FREIDA Online https://freida.ama-assn.org/Freida/user/search/programSearch.do • American Academy of Neurologyhttps://www.aan.com/ • NRMP Match Datahttp://www.nrmp.org/match-data/nrmp-historical-reports/ • Map of Residencieshttps://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=204426385331860659425.0004a0939179ebe1e105a&ll=41.836828,-82.661133&spn=25.947463,50.053711&z=5&iwloc=0004a0d55c140899131b2