Applying for Residency
The Carilion Clinic Neurosurgery Residency Training Program is open to graduates of Osteopathic Medical Schools. Competition for the single position every year is stiff. Applicants are generally of high academic standing with very competitive medical school board scores. Residency positions are open to applicants of all race, religion, sex and age.
Our program:
- Is rigorous and demanding intellectually, emotionally and physically
- Working hours are filled with educationally productive activities, within the 80 hour work week limits.
- Expects the residents to aggressively pursue self study away from the hospital setting.
- Holds our residents to extraordinarily high expectations academically and ethically.
- Hold our residents to high standards of moral conduct and medical systems citizenship.
Those applying for residency positions should do so through the ERAS system, but should also contact the program to underscore their interest and to track their application progress. Residency Program Coordinator: Rhea Jordan (540) 397-5812, rajordan2@carilionclinic.org.
All applications are reviewed with Invitations to interview being based on review of the following materials:
- Transcript
- Letters of Recommendation-3 required
- COMLEX Transcript- 500 minimum
- Personal Statement
- USMLE Scores (if available)
A few tips for the application process.
- Have all required documentation assembled early and make sure ERAS is complete as of your initial upload. This allows us to issue an invitation and offer you the best choice of interview dates.
- Have a strong personal statement.
- Have strong letters of recommendation. Example: a neurosurgery recommendation would carry more weight than an OB-GYN recommendation. Please do not use a generic letter of recommendation.
- Read the program requirements as listed in ERAS and do not apply if you do not meet those requirements.
Clearly the defining of a good fit can be quite challenging particularly when based solely on a written application and a one day visit. For these reasons, serious applicants are encouraged to schedule a 2 or 4 week rotation or 3 day shadow visit to better get to know our program and allow us to get to know you. While these visits are not required to apply or to be ranked and do not guarantee a higher rank than those who have not rotated, doing so allows greater exposure to all involved and allows all to get to know each other and the fit within our program. Please see the visiting students section to find out more details about the types of visits available.
Interview process - an overview
Generally, 15 to 30 applicants are extended interviews. Interviews are generally carried out in November through early January. All interviews are currently held on Tuesdays during our a.m. resident clinic and pomp didactics. Once invitations are extended, your time with us will look like the following:
Please plan to arrive in Roanoke prior to 6 pm. On the night you arrive for your interviews, the resident staff will take you to dinner at about 6:30 p.m. Casual business attire is recommended. Please meet them in the hotel lobby at 630 pm. They will have your cell numbers in case of any last minute delays.
Interview day:
7:00 am Meet with the Program Director or A. Program Director in the coffee shop (Java the Hut) on the first floor CRMH
8:30 am Meet with either the A. Program Director or Program Director for interview
9:30-11 am Discussions with attending staff. When not scheduled to be with one of the attendings, you will be paired with the resident staff and will
shadow them as they conduct resident clinic.
11:30-1 pm Lunch with the resident staff Lunch voucher is included in your packet.
1 pm Attend Grand Rounds with the resident staff
2:30 -5 pm Participate in neuroscience conference
5-6 pm Open forum discussions with remaining attending and mid-level staff. This is very casual Q & A type session in which you can ask
questions of us as well.
5:30 – 6 pm After open forum concluded, you are free to leave to return home.
Clearly the defining of a good fit can be quite challenging particularly when based solely on a written application and a one day visit. For these reasons, serious applicants are encouraged to rotate on the service for two to four weeks to better demonstrate their qualities to the selection committee members, as well as to better get to know the program. Medial students and graduates wishing to spend time on the service should contact the Program Coordinator, Rhea Jordan (540) 397-5812, rajordan2@carilionclinic.org. Every attempt will be made to accommodate as many interested applicants as possible. Although rotation on the service surely ensures greater exposure to members of the selection committee, it does not guarantee a higher rank than exceptional applicants who have not rotated.
Resident Selection Process
Historically the selection committee has focused on many variables and intangibles beyond class rank, GPA, and board scores, in establishing the rank orders. The committee is interested in as close to a ‘perfect fit’ as possible. The ideal candidate will be an aggressive learner and self starter. She/he will be an intellectually curious, critically thinking, empathetic, humane and hard working team player.
Resident selection is done through a committee consisting of the faculty members, residents, coordinator, and Physician Assistants of the service. At the end of the interview season, one or more selection committee meetings are held where all interviewed candidates are discussed and ranked. Generally around 10 applicants are ranked.
We adhere to the NRMP-OPDA Match Code of Conduct.
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