Adult neurology requires one year of internal medicine, followed by three years of neurology training. Pediatric neurology requires two years of general pediatrics followed by three years of neurology training.
There are many subspecialties including:
Autonomic Disorders
Behavioral Neurology /Neuropsychiatry
Cognitive Neurology
EEG/Neurophysiology
EMG/Neurophysiology
Epilepsy
Headache
Interventional Neuroradiology/Endovascular
Movement Disorders
Neurocritical Care
Neurogenetics
Neurohospitalist
Neuroimmunology/ Multiple Sclerosis
Neuromuscular
Neuro-oncology
Neurophysiology Combined EEG/EMG
Neuro-ophthalmology
Neuro-otology
Neuro-rehabilitation
Pain Medicine
Sleep Medicine
Vascular/Stroke
What Does a Typical Workday Look Like?
Some specialties are primarily spent in the hospital, others are predominantly outpatient based. There is a wide variety of how much time is spent in clinic. Neurologists who specialize in neurocritical care and stroke may spend all of their time in the hospital.
Most neurologists spend the majority of time in clinic seeing patients, performing/interpreting neurodiagnostic testing with some time spent seeing hospital patients. In general, neurologists are consultants and are asked by another doctor to evaluate a patient for a neurological disorder.
Important Qualities and Traits
Qualities recognized as important to neurology include:
- Detail oriented
- Intellectually curious
- Persistent
- Methodical
- Delving (need to relate well with patient)
To learn about recent research conducted in neurology, click here . Students interested in clinical neurosciences research can reach out to Dr. Bix or Dr. Engler-Chiurazzi for opportunities.
Additionally, students may want to pursue research opportunities through the DeBakey Scholars Program. This program offers medical students the opportunity to pursue and complete a longitudinal, structured, closely supervised research experience culminating in a capstone presentation prior to graduation. For more information, contact Dr. Derek Pociask.
Student Interest Group in Neurology (SIGN) is a student-run organization dedicated to helping students pursue their interest in the field of Neurology. You may also contact the faculty mentor, Dr. Longo , or the resident mentor, Dr. Gonzales .
Recommended T3 & T4 Coursework
Students interested in neurology may want to consider the following electives: Neurological Critical Care; Pediatric Neurology; Outpatient Neurology; Stroke. Additionally, students interested in specializing in neurology may want to take their sub-internship in neurology.
Summary Statistics (from "Charting Outcomes in the Match 2024")
Matched N = 488
1. Mean number of contiguous ranks | 13.1 |
2. Mean number of distinct specialties ranked | 1.1 |
3. Mean USMLE Step 1 score | 231* |
4. Mean USMLE Step 2 score | 250 |
5. Mean number of research experiences | 3.5 |
6. Mean number of abstracts, presentations, and publications | 8.8 |
7. Mean number of work experiences | 1.8 |
8. Mean number of volunteer experiences | 4.2 |
9. Percentage who are AOA members | 12.5 |
10. Percentage who graduated from one of the 40 U.S. medical schools with the highest NIH funding | 26.8 |
11. Percentage who have Ph.D. degree | 4.7 |
12. Percentage who have another graduate degree | 19.5 |
Note: Only U.S. MD seniors who gave consent to use their information in research are included.
*Only applicants who reported taking Step 1 prior to the transition to pass/fail included.
Special Considerations When Applying for Residency
Be aware that some programs include an internship years, while others do not. You will need to arrange for your own internship year with those that do not provide one. Also be aware that some programs offer research specific tracks while others do not. It may also be wise to look at the number of fellowships offered at each institution, both for future planning and to be aware that fellows may be first in line for the most interesting cases.
Please take advantage of the signals, be sure to check with your home program if they recommend you use a signal for that program.
Be sure to make your personal statement personal. You should reflect on your own experiences, and how these contributed to your decision to pursue neurology.
Only apply to programs in geographical areas in which you want to go. There’s no sense in applying to programs you have no intention of going to.
Away rotations can hurt your chances of matching at a program if you don’t put your best foot forward. Be prepared to give 120% to an away rotation if you choose to do one.
Where Past Tulane Students Have Matched
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How Many Programs Should I Apply To?
