foreign student considering surgical residency

[deadly_nightshade]

Hi dear all who are reading this post..

I am a foreign first year medical student (entered here right after high school) and have 5 more years to go ) Well, that means I have 5 more years to do whatever I need to do to become a "competitive" applicant for a "surgical" program in the US.. To be specific, I wanted to be a neurosurgeon since I was a kid so... Statics indicate that only 11-13 immigrants per year make it to a neurosurgery program in the states.. Seems like mission impossible not just seem, is actually...

Assuming that I will do extremely well on all levels of USMLE, I am now pondering about the rest of my application that will get me into a neurosurgery program..
What would be considered to be more impressive, community service or research? If I remember correctly, there is a full blank page titled community service in the application. To tell you the truth, I thought research was more impressive and "important" than community service...

I assume the expectations from the foreigners should be different than the natives.. What are they then?? Any ideas...

I would appreciate any suggestions on how to become a super-competitive and qualified neurosurgery residency applicant...

Thanks in advance

[Scottish Chap]

Congrats on making it into medical school. For neurosurgery in the U.S.: outstanding medical school grades, outstanding USMLE scores, and research.

Keep in mind that the stats for several of the international physicians making it into neurosurgery residencies in the U.S. includes U.S. citizens who went overseas for medical school, and internationals who have completed partial or complete training in neurosurgery in their own country.

[deadly_nightshade]

Thanks so much for answering and the congrats!

I heard exactly what you said about completing "full" neurosurgery residency in the native country and then getting a residency position in the US. One of my profs' friend did that.. so I know a living example )

I have another question..Is there a gender based selection? I could see hardly any females in the programs that I looked, and I am a female.. Does the admissions intentionally not admit females or are there not many females wanting to do this job? or some other reason...Would being a female put me under any disadvantage??

Thanks in advance..

[Scottish Chap]

Thanks so much for answering and the congrats!

I heard exactly what you said about completing "full" neurosurgery residency in the native country and then getting a residency position in the US. One of my profs' friend did that.. so I know a living example )

I have another question..Is there a gender based selection? I could see hardly any females in the programs that I looked, and I am a female.. Does the admissions intentionally not admit females or are there not many females wanting to do this job? or some other reason...Would being a female put me under any disadvantage??

Thanks in advance..

It's true - there are only a handful of female neurosurgeons in the U.S. I have a friend in her 4th year of residency.

It's completely illegal to discriminate based on gender in the U.S., but I think one issue is the demands of the career and its effect on family life. It is the absolute toughest medical specialty on family life. You work harder as a neurosurgeon than as a resident, and it's for the rest of your life. I have a friend who was competitive enough to be admitted to residency, but he backed off at the last minute for this reason. Many of the neurosurgeons he spoke to told him frankly that they would not do it again if they had the choice; it's cool for a few years, but that wears off and you are a slave to the profession - at least out here. If it's what you want, go for it. You will make it work.

[deadly_nightshade]

Well... it is a personal choice...
thanks for the reply..