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
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.
- Detail oriented
- Intellectually curious
- Persistent
- Methodical
- Delving (need to relate well with patient)
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.
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 2022")
Matched
Measure (n=465)
|
1. Mean number of contiguous ranks |
14.5 |
|
2. Mean number of distinct specialties ranked |
1.1 |
|
3. Mean USMLE Step 1 score |
233 |
|
4. Mean USMLE Step 2 score |
246 |
|
5. Mean number of research experiences |
3.9 |
|
6. Mean number of abstracts, presentations, and publications |
7.8 |
|
7. Mean number of work experiences |
3.2 |
|
8. Mean number of volunteer experiences |
7.5 |
|
9. Percentage who are AOA members |
11.4 |
|
10. Percentage who graduated from one of the 40 U.S. medical schools with the highest NIH funding |
30.5 |
|
11. Percentage who have Ph.D. degree |
9.4 |
|
12. Percentage who have another graduate degree |
13.9 |
Note: Only U.S. MD seniors who gave consent to use their information in research are included.
Sources. NRMP Data Warehouse; Top 40 U.S. medical schools with the highest NIH funding in measure 10 is from the NIH website (http://report.nih.gov/award/index.cfm).
There are no special considerations when applying for residency. Be aware, however, 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.
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
|
NRMP's Charting Outcomes in the Match 2022
NRMP's Program Director Survey 2020
Tulane’s Department of Neurology
Dr. Katrina D’Aquin can put you in touch with potential mentors.
