New member to the forum with an interest in NS. Yeah, I know I’m only an MS1 but have done a bunch of shadowing and it’s an area I’m interested in. Just looking for a little advice on how to make myself competitive. I’ll give you a quick little bio about myself.
Job Experience : 5 years phlebotomy / lab tech
Research: 1 year neuronal regeneration , no pubs
2 years pathogenesis of E. coli bacteria , no pubs
Volunteer: Missionary trips, family medicine center volunteer, shadowing, etc.

I know I need high Step 1 scores and 3rd year grades. I’m playing on doing an externship in internal medicine . critical care during the summer of MS1.

What else could / should I be doing in order to give myself the best opportunity??? Thanks for your help and advice.

Thanks for the help. Apparently asking for advice is too much to ask from neurosurgical residents and attendings. You guys are way to busy to answer questions from us lowly medical students. I was just look for a little advice, but won’t make that mistake again. I’ll just continue reading everyone’s posts pissing and moaning about their field. Thanks.

Adam638 - 26 July 2008 08:30 PM

Thanks for the help. Apparently asking for advice is too much to ask from neurosurgical residents and attendings. You guys are way to busy to answer questions from us lowly medical students. I was just look for a little advice, but won’t make that mistake again. I’ll just continue reading everyone’s posts pissing and moaning about their field. Thanks.

sounds like a good plan brother

amen

My best advice would be to get involved in your neurosurgery department.  Start attending the educational conferences and if possible, shadow residents and try to help the team.  Get involved with whatever research projects you can- often there are literature searches etc. that you could do.

The field is not for everyone, so it helps the applicant and their application if they can get involved early.

First, don’t get so frustrated with some of the people that post in this forum.  Most that post these smart ass remarks are medical students.  Some attendings (see above post) and residents (like me), do care about helping each other out, and are passionate about the field of neurosurgery.  Anyhow, try looking at this great post in the Wiki.  Hope it helps.

http://uncleharvey.com/index.php/wiki/Advice_to_the_neurosurgery_applicant/