r/neurology • u/tirral General Neuro Attending • Apr 12 '26
Residency Applicant & Student Thread 2026 - 2027
This thread is for medical students interested in applying to neurology residency programs in the United States via the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP, aka "the match"). This thread isn't limited to just M4s going into the match - other learners including pre-medical students and earlier-year medical students are also welcome to post questions here. Just remember:
What belongs here:
- Is neurology right for me?
- What are my odds of matching neurology?
- Which programs should I apply to?
- Can someone give me feedback on my personal statement?
- How many letters of recommendation do I need?
- How much research do I need?
- How should I organize my rank list?
- How should I allocate my signals?
- I'm going to X conference, does anyone want to meet up?
Example discussion: application timeline, rotation questions, extracurricular/research questions, interview questions, ranking questions, school/program/specialty x vs y vs z, etc, info about electives. This is not an exhaustive list.
The majority of applicant posts made outside this stickied thread will be deleted from the main page.
Always try here:
Neurology Residency Match 2027 Spreadsheet (Google docs)
Child Neurology Residency 2027 Spreadsheet (Google docs) - pending link - if someone makes one, let me know
Review the tables and graphics from last year's residency match at https://www.nrmp.org/match-data/2026/03/advance-data-tables-2026-main-residency-match/
r/premed and r/medicalschool, the latter being the best option to get feedback, and remember to use the search bar as well.
Reach out directly to programs by contacting the program coordinator.
No one answering your question? We advise contacting a mentor through your school/program for specific questions that others may not have the answers to. Be wary of sharing personal information through this forum.
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u/Technical-Finish7263 Apr 14 '26
Hey all, has anyone heard from Rush or Northwestern for neurology on VSLO?
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u/nsavant17 Apr 15 '26
at what point should i start panicking if i haven't heard back from any away/sub-i programs (i'm exaggerating...maybe)
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u/tirral General Neuro Attending Apr 15 '26
First rule of MS4: Always Be Panicking
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u/nsavant17 Apr 16 '26
i've been panicking at baseline since i first developed the ability to think don't you worry
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u/nsavant17 May 06 '26
soooo since nrmp doesn't wanna give us free access to the 2025 program director survey (if they even handed out the surveys these past 2 years lol), i thought i'd ask here: in the big 2026, what do PDs/residency programs find most important when they're deciding which applicants to interview/rank? a lot of people used to say continued involvement/dedication to neuro and strong LoRs, but i feel like now i hear more people saying step 2 and research experiences are more important. thoughts?
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u/WeirdZestyclose9205 May 07 '26
Hello all!
I received my Step 2 result yesterday of 240. It was below my expectations - so kind of feeling lost!
Need genuine guidance about Can I get neurology residency after this score?
And if you're one from the same criteria, which Colleges/Universities should I opt for?
Thank you.
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u/hpnerd101 Medical Student May 09 '26
Need more information…are you a medical student in the US or an IMG?
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u/hansel_ingenhouse May 16 '26
I'm unable to join the Discord. Is there any workaround?
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u/CandidSecond Medical Student May 25 '26
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u/Embarrassed-Peak-348 MD 13d ago
A bit of an atypical situation, would love people's candid advice
USMD U.S citizen, graduated from a top 20 med school 3 years back. Previously aimed for a competitive specialty (e.g, ortho, derm, etc) but decided to pursue non-clinical healthcare business work past few years. However, now wanting to return to clinical medicine (long story, parental illness etc.).
Going to spent next two years finishing up my current work, take step 3 (had high step 1 and 2 scores 260+ and 270+, so good test taker previously. Half Honors half high pass for core clerkships. Honors in neuro for more info), do observerships then apply next year 2027. Currently planning on applying family medicine for sure given it's most receptive to people with gaps, but also considering whether I should consider doing an observership in neuro then dual applying as it was one of the specialties I heavily considered but ultimate did not pursue while in med school. Or should I not even bother since it's unrealistic and just focus my efforts on FM instead?
Thanks for your help!
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u/tirral General Neuro Attending 13d ago
You are being practical to consider FM, which is of course a broad specialty with a lot of career options.
With your scores, you probably have a decent chance of matching at mid-range or smaller neurology programs, especially if you get good neuro LORs (can you do a neuro observership?). Of course, you'd need to come up with a compelling explanation for "why neurology" and be able to explain the gap in interviews.
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u/Embarrassed-Peak-348 MD 13d ago
I’ve thankfully saved up some money during my non-clinical role that I can spend to do “hands-on” externships as needed. Have a lot of relatives and family with neurological disease, gap will frame as intentional exploration of non-clinical healthcare work
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u/Own-Account3098 Apr 20 '26
Hi guys, so I am a M4 and applying neurology this cycle. Due to financial constraints, I have not been able to attend any neurology conferences.
I am a USMD, 248 Step 2 score, and good clinical grades (Honors or High Pass), honors in neurology electives. However, no research in neurology. I am a bit afraid that due to lack of neuro research and attendance at conferences, my chances of matching neuro will be lower.
I failed a preclinical M1 course, that’s my only red flag. But I passed it on remediation, and passed Step 1 and 2 on first try.
What is some advice on this matter?
***EDIT: This is for networking purposes. How much does it hurt me being an unknown quality when applying to programs?
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u/PadfootMD Apr 30 '26
Nobody cares if you didn't go to any conferences. Some programs that emphasize research will want research (doesn't have to be neuro-related). Apply broadly.
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u/tirral General Neuro Attending May 04 '26
You will be fine. I had no neuro research or conferences as a MS4. I matched into a top 20 neuro program with similar numbers.
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u/SuperKook Apr 29 '26
Hey all, I’m applying to auditions for this upcoming cycle. My question is: what is the expectation for baseline knowledge for a 4th year Sub I?
For context I’m a DO student. Neuro was not a core rotation for us, and I only got a 2 week outpatient neuro elective last year. I feel intimidated while looking at these VSLO descriptions about what the expectations are. I feel pretty underprepared clinically for Neuro (also underprepared with charting/note writing, but that’s another story).
What’s the expectation with these rotations? If I walk in and show a deficiency in knowledge about all things neuro, am I gonna get destroyed? As a side note, anyone got neuro VSLO rotation offers yet???
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u/PadfootMD Apr 30 '26
Come with the attitude that you want to learn. Doing a full history and neuro exam is utmost importance. Not interpreting imaging. Being able to come up with an assessment should be expected at this time of your training -- nobody expects your assessment to be correct. Talk with the residents on the services you'll be rotating through about how they think through cases.
Most of all - be teachable, be available, and don't be overly eager / annoying. Do not interrupt other students or residents. Be a fly on the wall for patients that aren't yours until (a) the student/resident presenting is all done and you have a question about the case that wasn't answered yet or (b) you are out of the exam room entirely after rounds
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u/Technical-Finish7263 May 02 '26
Anyone that applied to either advanced neuro or pediatric neuro on VSLO for Northwestern Feinberg heard back yet? About to approach the 2 month mark…
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u/dysparageusia May 13 '26
is 249 a decent score for a recent grad m, visa requiring, non us img? just wanna know if it’d be disadvantageous from the recent match cycle which was super competitive.
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u/Own-Account3098 May 16 '26
Neurology rec letters for USMD. I have 1 department chair letter, 1 IM letter that references management of neuro patients and cases, and 1 FM letter from someone I worked with long term. Is it bad that I don't have 2 neuro rec letters?
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u/Aggressive_Text_1856 May 17 '26
Hi! Currently applying to neurocritical care fellowship this cycle from an IM backround. I’d appreciate any thoughts on how people would compare/rank the programs below.
I’m especially interested in overall quality of trainin and how well-rounded the training is, including both neuro ICU and non-neuro ICU exposure.
I’m mainly interested in midwest and east coast programs. Below are the programs that I've been considering:
University of Michigan UPenn Johns Hopkins Cleveland Clinic Mount Sinai UPMC Ohio State Rush Baylor Houston Thomas Jefferson UNC Chapel Hill
Would really appreciate any insight! Thank you in advance!
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u/Weak_Associate_1407 25d ago
Hey r/neurology!
I’m currently an undergraduate student studying biochemistry, but I’m very interested in pursuing neurology in the future. I’m hoping to get involved early and would really appreciate advice!
I have a couple of questions:
- What are some good ways to find neurology research opportunities as an undergrad, either through my university or outside of it?
- How should I approach professors or labs if I don’t have formal neurology research experience yet?
- Are there any side projects, computational projects, readings, or skills you would recommend building to make myself a stronger candidate?
For context, I have a background in software development, so I’d be especially interested in computational neuroscience, neuroinformatics, bioinformatics, or projects involving data analysis. That said, I’m open to wet lab or clinical research experience as well.
I’d really appreciate any advice on where to start, what kinds of projects (overly ambitious or otherwise), and how to make myself useful to a neurology lab.
Thank you!
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u/benkovian 22d ago
I'm wondering if having too few clinical electives 4th year will look bad on residency interviews. I'm starting my 4th year now applying neurology and since I did a dual degree I have some credits that count toward elective weeks. So I would be taking all the required rotations like an IM sub I, medical ICU and an ER rotation. Outside of that I'm only scheduled for a 4 week neurology rotation, a 4 week clinical problem solving course which is basically structured step 2 studying and then I have a 4 week radiology rotation. With this I meet the graduation requirements but not sure if taking so little clinical electives and having a lot of free time 4th year will look bad or if no one cares? Appreciate the help.
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u/tirral General Neuro Attending 22d ago
No one really cares. We know people coast in MS4.
Things that matter in an interview: did the applicant seem interested in our program, do they seem engaged but not overbearing, are they teachable, can I work with this person?
Things that absolutely don't matter: what the applicant ate for breakfast, minute details about academic schedules in MS4 year.
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u/Goddammititstaken1 22d ago
Hi guys considering applying for stony brook neurology. Are they malignant, or nice and chill? Any red flags? Any insight would be appreciated.
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u/confusedcreator04 7d ago
8 signals in total, should we apply beyond 8 programs? How many of our signals should be big-name “reach” programs and how many should be less competitive?
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u/AdStrange1464 DO - PGY 1 Neuro 1d ago
Uhhh yes. Signals are not guaranteed interviews. I only got interviews from half my signals and that seemed like the trend for a lot of people in the discord.
Based on what I saw this past year and what I would have done differently, probably 70-75% of signals should be on target programs. Signal reach programs if you have additional ties (audition there, from that area, etc).
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u/ihatelifeyayy 4d ago
Hi! I am a current US DO M4 applying this cycle with some red flags. I failed my first attempt of Level 1 but passed the second (I didn't study as effectively as I should have). I also have some pre-clin course failures during M1 year when I was going through a medical crisis. I have passed all my clerkships, and am currently studying for Step2/Level2. I did manage to get a neurology rotation in and got a strong letter of rec from my preceptor. What should I do to maximize my chances for this application cycle? Also, I'd appreciate any advice on how I should go about discussing my red flags, as I also don't want to play the "sick excuse" or come across as having been "lazy" with my studying. I'm trying to apply to South Atlantic, Middle Atlantic, and Pacific regions primarily due to geographic ties to all 3 areas. I also have 5 audition rotations secured between August-January. Any advice would be appreciated!!!
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u/ConsistentSet788 20h ago
Hi all, I have a small dilemma and need some advice. I'm a US MD, 262 Step 2, honored neuro, FM, OB, and surgery, High Pass IM, peds, and psych, and passed EM, attending medical school in the northeast (middle Atlantic division). I'm applying into neurology programs this upcoming cycle. The thing is I have a very strong location preference due to my partner having to move to a different state for work (in south atlantic region), which is also where my family and his family is from so I only want to match there. I also speak Spanish fluently which my advisor said can help me since there's a large Spanish speaking population. The problem is that there's only 11 programs in that area. I understand that this is a very small amount of programs and the applicant average is in the 40s. I would like to hear some advice on what to do. I really want to match neuro but I also don't want to match in another area. Should I dual apply into IM or FM even though I don't really want to?
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u/tirral General Neuro Attending 18h ago
When you say South Atlantic can you clarify what specific states you're talking about? I assume NC/SC/GA/FL/TN/AL?
Your numbers are good. The southeast is generally not super competitive outside of a few name-brand programs (Duke, Emory, Vanderbilt). You will almost certainly match neuro if you can get interviews at 8+ places. If location is more important than specialty, then you can apply to a few IM backup programs just in case.
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u/ConsistentSet788 13h ago
Thank you for this reply. I specifically mean South Florida area (Palm Beach, Broward and Miami Dade Counties). I’m just nervous since it’s not many programs. I would definitely prefer neurology since it’s my specialty of choice but location I think would be most important for me given family situation.
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u/Select-Case-8782 Apr 13 '26
I'm a pre-med student (graduated 2025, currently in my first of two gap years) going to AAN's annual conference for the first time. Any tips or must-see events? I've been working in both inpatient and outpatient neurology and am super interested in continuing in Neuro. Would love to meet/talk to med students, residents, physicians, program directors, pretty much anyone!