Residency Applications

Adult Neurology Residency

There are ten (10) adult neurology positions each year. We participate in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). NRMP provides a centralized application service for applicants who apply to multiple programs. All applicants are required to use this service.

The application process begins in the late Summer-early Fall. Applicants have to register with NRMP by November 30. A face-to-face Interview is required and this usually takes place early November through mid-January. Other details about the Match Schedule are available on the NRMP web site. In general, all application materials are processed through NRMP. Applications should be submitted via Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). Candidates must pass USMLE step 1 and step 2 (both CK and CS) in order to be considered for ranking. It is highly desirable to have USMLE step 2 scores available as early as possible in the selection process.

Preliminary Medicine Internship - Prior to starting adult neurology residency, each candidate must complete an internship that includes at least six months of internal medicine, and at least two of the remaining six months in internal medicine, pediatrics, or emergency medicine. More details regarding requirements can be seen on the ACGME website (see Neurology RRC). There are excellent preliminary medicine programs at Stanford Hospital, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center (our county hospital and a Stanford affiliate), and California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco. Others in the Bay Area include several in the Kaiser Permanente system, St Mary's Medical Center in San Francisco, and Highland Hospital in Oakland (link). We have a preliminary medicine internship arrangement with Stanford Internal Medicine for only two (2) of our ten (10) positions. This requires a separate application to the Stanford Internal Medicine Department who will conduct an independent assessment of your application and will make all decisions regarding interviewing and ranking. If you have applied to Stanford Medicine and want to coordinate interviews on your trip to Stanford, it is important to let us know well in advance. Additionally, we have set up Joint Advanced/Preliminary Programs at SCVMC and CPMC. Candidates interested in those programs should apply to both the Joint A/P Program as well as the standard Preliminary IM Program. The decisions regarding interviewing and ranking will be made by the IM Programs. Please note that obtaining high-quality preliminary Internal Medicine internships is as competitive as it is essential.  Candidates are strongly advised to apply widely.

Child Neurology Residency

There are three categorical child neurology positions a year.  Candidates thus match simultaneously to two years of Stanford Pediatrics followed by three years of Child Neurology, even though there is just one National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) application. NRMP provides a centralized application service for applicants who apply to multiple programs. All applicants are required to use this service.

The application process begins in autumn. Applicants have to register with NRMP by October 31. Two days of interviews (one in Child Neurology and one in Pediatrics) are required and usually take place in October through January. Other details about the Match Schedule are available on the NRMP web site. In general, all application materials are processed through NRMP. If desired, applicants may contact us directly and send appropriate supplementary materials. This may include curriculum vitae, publications, or additional letters of references. Interview is by invitation only and is an essential part of the application.

International Medical Students

We accept applications from international medical school graduates, although the application process is extremely competitive. Some clinical experience in the U.S. is mandatory. Only a select few with exceptional credentials are invited for interview. An international medical school graduate must have a valid ECFMG certificate, completed USMLE Part III, and one year of ACGME approved residency training prior to commencement of neurology training. (Two years of pediatric residency training prior to neurology is required for pediatric neurology candidates.)