I’m entering the final month of my 3rd year.  Last week, I had a chance to spend 4 days on NS and absolutely loved it.  On day 1, I already began asking, “could I do this?” and by day 2, I was plotting out the complete overhaul of my 4th year schedule to set up a sub-I, aways, etc. 

Anyways, I come from a well respected medical school with a good NS program (well at least that appears to be the prevailing sentiment on this site...).  My board score was above the NS average but not off the charts or anything.  Our clerkship coordinator told me I could be competitive in NS for the match but I’m still worried I’m far behind the 8 ball compared to students who’ve loved NS from the womb. 

Is there any current residents out there who had a similar experience as I have, finding out about NS fairly late in the game?  Assuming I continue forward with my newfound interest, how did this play out when it came time for interviews?  Are top programs that often expect significant research experience still attainable?  (I’ve participated in some research but its in other fields: as far as what’s come from it, I’m hoping to have a small case series out soon as 1st author and have my name fairly far down on an basic science article from undergrad).  Were you able to easily show that while your interest was newer than some, it was every bit as real?  Any suggestions about the above are greatly appreciated.  Thanks!

see if your program inbreeds.  start there.
while making connections with them (neurosurgeons), do some research with them.  be honest, tell them you’re a johnny come lately and theyll advise you and help you with the process.

i’m willing to bet nearly everyone on this board had a neurosurgeon mentor who helped them out.  find one, jump on some research, kick ass on the aways.  your board score, as long as above average, means no rush to take your step ii.

interest is interest.  they don’t care when your interest was born, but that you have it.  prove it with awesome aways and the research.  chances are you’ll be okay.  not everyone here knew about neurosurgery from day 1.

do make sure this is what you really want though.  it’s a heavy investment.
good luck

I was relatively late, not as late as you, but had a similar epiphany.  I think you still have time to make a great showing in this process.

I didn’t feel that the fact I didn’t know I wanted to be a neurosurgeon from preschool was a problem during the interview process.  In fact I felt the opposite.  One I found out that’s what I wanted to do, I cleared as wide a swath as possible as rapidly as possible toward neurosurgery.

My perspective comes as a current 4th year who matched this last cycle.

Best wishes!

I was at about the same point in my career as you when I figured it out. I matched well, not superbly but at a great program that really fit my needs. I knew I wanted to do something surgical, but I was thinking CT vs plastics vs ortho for the majority of my third year. I had chosen ortho and didn’t decide on NS until late feb/early march.

It can certainly be done. You need to talk to your chairman and PD (if not the same person) before you do anything else. Let them know what your plans are, and be ready to answer questions about why it took you so long to figure it out. You’re clearly enthusiastic; when they see that, they’ll be in your corner.

Have your CV ready before the interview. Be ready to go over it, and make an honest assessment about where you should apply. Talk about where you should do away electives. If your step 1 score is above average, do not take step 2 until later in the year; it can only hurt you at this point, and even a 250 won’t add that much to your package.

You’re in good shape, and you should relax, but not too much. Your enthusiasm and interest will make up for your late entrance on the scene. Best of luck!