Specialty Advisor
Specialty Advisor(s)
Dr. Matt Swan
matthew.swan@mountsinai.org
https://profiles.mountsinai.org/matthew-swan
Program Director
Dr. Michelle Fabian
michelle.fabian@mssm.edu
http://www.mountsinai.org/profiles/michelle-fabian
Advice from Specialty Advisor
What should students be doing in year 1 and 2?
Exploring their neuro-interests; join the Student Interest Group in Neurology (SIGN) -- Dr. Krieger is the faculty advisor; shadow neurologists; participate in the "NeuroExperience" by shadowing a neurology resident on call; consider working on a neurology summer research project; use Brain and Behavior to meet faculty and ask questions.
What should students be doing in year 3 and 4?
Continue to explore interest in the field: immerse oneself in the neurology clerkship and perform stellar clinical work there; get to know the neurology residents, fellows, and faculty; request letters of recommendation from faculty you've worked with; write up a case report with a resident or faculty; if you've done neuro research in years 1-2, try and get abstracts submitted or a manuscript published (major conferences include the American Academy of Neurology, the American Neurological Association, and the Society for Neuroscience); consider being a TA in Brain and Behavior; continue to come to SIGN events; perform a neurology sub-I in the summer of 4th year before interview season -- Dr. Fabian can arrange this; come to Neurology session during Intersession; Meet with Dr. Fabian and Chair Dr. Vickrey regarding Departmental letter of recommendation.
Is an away elective recommended?
Away rotations are not necessary, but if an applicant is strongly considering residency in a different geographical region, it is helpful to have rotation experience there.
LoRs
Departmental letter necessary?
A Departmental letter is typically provided for our applicants in Neurology. Plan to meet with the Clerkship Director (Dr. Michelle Fabian) and the Chair (Dr. Barbara Vickrey) in advance of the letter-submission season to review your background, interests, research, and clinical experiences so that the letter can be well-informed.
Any specific writers needed?
Neurology applicants will generally have 4 letters, including the Neurology Department letter. The others can come from attending who you have worked with, who know you well and can strongly support your application. Plan to meet with any requested letter-writers to discuss your interests, provide your CV, and ensure they can write you a solid letter.
All from the specific specialty or from other specialties as well?
At least 1-2 letters from Neurologists are recommended. Typically other letters will come from applicant's medicine rotations, medicine sub-I, psychiatry, or other rotations where you feel your clinical work was top-notch and appreciated by the supervising faculty. Research letters are welcome if you have worked closely with a research mentor, and expected if you have had extended research training (Masters, PhD, etc).
Recommended websites
CiM Neurology Profile
The American Academy of Neurology
Information on the Mount Sinai Neurology Residency and Research track can be found here:
http://icahn.mssm.edu/departments-and-institutes/neurology/residencies-fellowships-and-research/neurology-residency
http://icahn.mssm.edu/departments-and-institutes/neurology/residencies-fellowships-and-research/neurology-residency/research-residency
Recommended journals
Neurology ('the green journal')
Annals of Neurology
Archives of Neurology
Brain