Sub-specialties include spine, functional, vascular, neuro-oncology, skull base surgery, pediatric neurosurgery, and peripheral nerve surgery.
What Does a Typical Workday Look Like?
Important Qualities and Traits
Qualities recognized as important to neurosurgery include:
- Self-motivation
- Dedication to the specialty
- Ability to perform well in stressful situations
There are laboratory opportunities with Dr. Dumont, working on an animal model of aneurysm formation and rupture. There are also various clinical projects ongoing at different times. Currently, there is a project evaluating different technologies for the endovascular treatment of acute ischemic stroke.
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.
American Association of Neurological Surgeons is a student-run organization dedicated to helping students pursue their interest in the field of Neurosurgery.
Recommended T3 & T4 Coursework
Doing neurosurgery electives and sub-internships is highly recommended. In general, doing a neurosurgery rotation toward the middle to end of the T3 year would be preferred, after basic operative skills have been obtained in the general surgery rotation.
Summary Statistics (from "Charting Outcomes in the Match 2024")
Matched N = 161
1. Mean number of contiguous ranks | 16.7 |
2. Mean number of distinct specialties ranked | 1.0 |
3. Mean USMLE Step 1 score | 245* |
4. Mean USMLE Step 2 score | 255 |
5. Mean number of research experiences | 5.8 |
6. Mean number of abstracts, presentations, and publications | 37.4 |
7. Mean number of work experiences | 2.2 |
8. Mean number of volunteer experiences | 4.2 |
9. Percentage who are AOA members | 28.0 |
10. Percentage who graduated from one of the 40 U.S. medical schools with the highest NIH funding | 46.0 |
11. Percentage who have Ph.D. degree | 6.8 |
12. Percentage who have another graduate degree | 25.9 |
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
Doing away rotations to obtain additional letters of recommendation and getting additional exposure to neurosurgery is recommended.
Work hard and be useful during your away rotations, particularly if it is a program you would like to attend. Work well with the group and be respectful to residents, attendings, midlevel practitioners, and your fellow students.
Research experience is important and some of the very academically oriented programs will not interview you without it.
Where Past Tulane Students Have Matched
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How Many Programs Should I Apply To?
NRMP's Charting Outcomes in the Match 2024
NRMP's Program Director Survey 2024
American Association of Neurological Surgeons student resource website
Tulane’s Department of Neurosurgery website
Greenberg’s Handbook of Neurosurgery (book on Amazon)
Dr. Katrina D’Aquin can put you in touch with potential mentors.
