Neurological Surgery Residency Program
Duration: 7 Year(s)
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago
Chicago, Illinois, USA
Course TypeResidency Program
Course Specialty
Neurosurgery
Affiliation
Northwestern University - Chicago
Overview
The Neurological Surgery Residency Program at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine is a highly competitive ACGME-accredited seven-year training program that prepares future leaders in academic and clinical neurosurgery. The program admits three residents annually and offers extensive operative exposure through more than 4,000 neurosurgical cases spanning the full spectrum of neurosurgical subspecialties. Residents train primarily at Northwestern Memorial Hospital with additional pediatric experience at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago. The curriculum follows a progressive responsibility model, beginning with foundational neuroscience and neurosurgical rotations before advancing to complex cranial, spinal, vascular, functional, and pediatric neurosurgery. A distinctive feature of the program is the two dedicated elective/research years (PGY-5 and PGY-6), allowing residents to pursue laboratory research, clinical fellowships, international electives, or advanced academic degrees. Educational activities include weekly grand rounds, skull base and spine cadaver laboratories, multidisciplinary conferences, journal clubs, and simulation-based training. Residents are mentored by internationally recognized neurosurgeons and physician-scientists, with strong emphasis on innovation, research, leadership, and evidence-based surgical practice. Graduates are exceptionally prepared for American Board of Neurological Surgery certification and careers in academic medicine, subspecialty neurosurgery, and leadership within major healthcare institutions.
Admission Intake
JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Fee (INR):
-
Stipend (INR):
Residents receive an annual salary based on the McGaw Medical Centre House Staff compensation schedule.
Accomodation:
As Per Availability
Scholarship:
-
Eligibility
- MD or DO degree from an accredited medical school
- ERAS application
- Participation in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP)
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Personal Statement
- Medical School Transcript
- Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE)
- Letters of Recommendation
- USMLE or COMLEX examination scores
- ECFMG certification for international medical graduates (if applicable)
- Eligibility to train in the United States
Minimum Education
MD (Doctor of Medicine)Doctor of Osteopathy (DO)
Admission Process:
Step 1
Obtain an MD or DO degree from an accredited medical school.
Step 2
Complete the required licensing examinations:
- USMLE or COMLEX
Step 3
Prepare application documents:
- ERAS Application
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Personal Statement
- Medical School Transcript
- MSPE (Dean's Letter)
- Letters of Recommendation
- USMLE/COMLEX Scores
Step 4
Submit the application through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS).
Step 5
Applications are reviewed by the residency selection committee.
Step 6
Selected applicants participate in a two-stage interview process (virtual interview followed by an in-person interview for invited candidates).
Step 7
Participate in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP).
Step 8
Matched candidates complete credentialing and onboarding before beginning residency training.
