Skip to main content
menu

How to Apply

The Department of Neurosurgery participates in the National Resident Matching Program, and candidates must apply through the Electronic Resident Application Service (ERAS). Applications are accepted through December 1, 2024. 

For the 2025 ERAS® cycle, our program will be collecting and reviewing data from applicants' supplemental ERAS applications. Completion of the standard MyERAS application is a requirement; completion of the supplemental ERAS application is optional.

Interview Information

Interviewing is by invitation only, and we will be offering in-person interviews.  Invitations for categorical applications will be sent in October. Applicants can choose their interview date among the three offered.

Interview dates for the categorical resident 2025 Match are: 

  • November 14-15, 2024
  • November 21-22, 2024
  • January 9-10, 2025

The Interview Day

The evening before interviews, please arrive in Rochester by 4:00 pm. The day will start with a tour of Rochester followed by a casual event at Radio Social to meet with our faculty and residents. This is a relaxed atmosphere to get to know our residents and ask questions regarding our program.

The next morning is devoted to presentations by neurosurgery faculty in our academic conference format. Then an overview of the department will be presented by Dr. Webster Pilcher, Chairman, followed by an educational residency program overview by our Program Director, Thomas Mattingly, MD.

Virtual interviews begin at 9:45am – 11:40am; followed by a lunch break at 11:45 -12:15pm; in-person interviews resume at 12:20 pm and conclude at 2:15pm.

Lodging

The Department of Neurosurgery offers a complimentary one-night stay at the Hilton Garden Inn Rochester / University and Medical Center.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is your application deadline?
The deadline for applications is December 1, 2024. Only completed application packages are reviewed. Interviewing is by invitation only and ends January 2024.

What are your criteria for submitting an application?
We are registered with the National Rank Match Program (NRMP).  All applicants must be registered in the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS®) and the NRMP to apply to our program.  For more information, please visit: http://www.nrmp.org/residency/main-residency-match/ and https://www.aamc.org/students/medstudents/eras/

  • All ERAS materials
  • Medical school transcript
  • Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE)
  • USMLE Part One score (Step II required before start of residency program)
  • Personal statement
  • Three letters of recommendation
     

How many categorical spots do you offer?
The Neurosurgery Residency Training Program at the University of Rochester Medical Center matches two residents each year.  

What is the relevant board eligibility upon successful completion of your program?
The  American Board of Neurological Surgeons (ABNS) primary examination is an important step in the certification process. It is available to all residents in ACGME accredited neurosurgery programs and is designed to evaluate candidates’ knowledge and provide direction for continued learning. Residents may take the exam for self-assessment or for credit toward certification as determined by their program director. The ABNS and Resident Review Committee (RRC) require residents to pass the examination for credit toward certification before completing training. 

​Do you accept applications from international medical graduates?
All applications are considered on an individual basis but must comply with the New York State 12 Week Rule for Eligibility.  The following international medical schools have gone through a pre-approval process and their students may perform any amount of training outside their country (i.e. these schools are the exception to the 12-week rule) http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/med/medlic.htm.

What visa do you sponsor?
The University of Rochester sponsors  J1 visa only. See the eligibility requirements