How strategic engagement with programs drives neurosurgery match success
Program-specific engagement strategies are the strongest predictors of obtaining an interview in neurosurgery residency matching. Their growing importance after the transition to USMLE Step 1 P/F grading suggests applicants gain more from targeted connections than broad application volume. Declining application and interview count further reflect a trend toward more strategic engagement.
Authors
- Hithardhi Duggireddy (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-7628-8851)
- David J. Coté (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5419-1517)
- Angela P. Mihalic (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7578-0254)
- Rommi Kashlan
- Reem Dawoud (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4857-505X)
- Gabriel Zada
- Razan R. Faraj
- Jonathan A. Grossberg
- Ryan S. Chung
- Robert G. Briggs
Institutions
- University of Southern California (US)
- Emory University (US)
- The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Journal of neurosurgery
- Published
- 2026-02-01
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3171/2025.10.jns251839
- Primary Topic
- Diversity and Career in Medicine
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00