Top 5 Spine Fellowships

I am a PGY-3 seriously considering spine. When did you guys start sending out applications? What months do places interviewing?

I have heard of Wash U accepting a resident late in his PGY3 year, are other programs this early? Can't believe you have to decide so soon.

You still have some time. I started researching programs in the winter. Then, I started emailing programs in early March for applications. Most have something online to download, some just want LORs and CV, and some email you info when it's ready. Some interviews come around in June, then the schedule heats up in July. It's been earlier every year though, so for all we know interviews could start in April or May this year?!?!?! Kidding, but don't be surprised.

It's pretty painful, but you have to be diligent and patient.

I went through this process 2 years ago...back then I think only 1 or 2 programs interviewed in mid to late August which at that time was considered very EARLY. Most interviews were in september, and a few in october.

So reading the above posts it is amazing how early interviews are being done now. The trend is disturbing.

It is tough...it is hard enough to decide on which programs to visit and get a good spot on merit in the absence of the match...

There are a lot of politics and games also being played...

Some of the top places (just talk to anyone in spine and you'll figure out which ones) have their spots given away/spoken for long before their interviews...you mentioned one above....

Unfortunately, nothing we can do to change things....

I interviewed somewhere where, in hindsight, the spots were given away two weeks before I interviewed there...that was aggravating...spent a lot of money and took time off work to go there....

You can only do your best and try to avoid some of these programs that waste your time interviewing for filled spots so that they can meet 'the future spine leaders of tomorrow'...if you do not have a big name in spine telling you to go there for the interview, I may not bother...I would have saved some dough...

You should start looking, as has been said earlier, in the middle of your third year (winter)...which is hard because many people have not done spine yet...

You should contact programs for applications in the Spring of your third year....

Hope this helps...

What is interesting is that many of the so-called top fellowships have not produced the spine leaders of TODAY. In last 12-15 years, how many of today's "leaders" trained at Jefferson, Emory, etc.? I cannot think of a single one, except perhaps Tim Kuklo at Wash U. Case Western has produced more of today's leaders in the last decade than all of these programs combined.

I would urge people remotely interested in spine to gather letters of recommendation, USMLEs, OITEs, med school transcripts, med school deans letters, and MCATs (for UVA program) early because those things can delay you.

If you are interested in MGH, Jefferson, contact those places early to get an application because it is a paper application.

The NASS database is a good source for fellowship info but there are a couple of places that are not listed or have incorrect information.
MGH - Kirk Wood - find from MGH website
Stanford/St. Mary's - wrong address/contact person
Cedars - wrong address/contact person. Would call for correct info.
HSS- wrong fellowship director
Watkins (LA) - does not exist anymore
Delamarter (LA) -

www.laspineinstitute.com/Fellows ... titute.htm
University of Texas - www.foarr.com
UCI - could not find address
UC Davis - email Dr. Gupta secretary for address

I WOULD ALSO CALL EVERY PLACE A FEW WEEKS AFTER YOU SEND IN YOUR INFO BECAUSE YOU ARE TOTALLY SCREWED IF THE OFFICE STAFF LOSE YOUR STUFF. Not that I am bitter about that or anything...

Also realize that interview dates are not set in stone and if you have a deadline or conflict, try to call the office and reschedule. I personally went on three early interviews and got two offers out of it.