Specialty-specific review for Neurological Surgery (Neurosurg) applicants. Matched applicants averaged Step 2 CK 255. We help you meet that bar.
The patterns reviewers flag most often when screening Neurological Surgery candidates.
Insufficient neurosurgical research output (matched avg ~37 publications/abstracts)
No sub-internship at target neurosurgery program
Low Step 2 CK relative to matched mean of 255
Weak letters from neurosurgeons at well-known programs
Applying without a PhD or significant bench research
Volume of neurosurgery-specific publications and first-author papers
Sub-I performance at ranking programs
Strong letter from a neurosurgery chair or PD
Step 2 CK above 250
Research year or dedicated research time
Three concrete moves we'll work through with you, drawn from current NRMP / Charting Outcomes data.
Plan a dedicated research year in a neurosurgery lab and target ≥2 first-author publications — the matched MD average is ~37 total abstracts/presentations/publications.
Complete 2–3 away rotations and identify at least one program where you can obtain a chair-level letter of recommendation.
Use all 25 signals strategically, weighting toward programs where you have a prior research connection or faculty relationship.
We'll pair you with a reviewer who's served on Neurological Surgery selection committees. Your personal statement, CV, and signal strategy — line-edited against the bar above.
Data sourced from NRMP / AAMC, NRMP / AAMC. Match year 2025.