The Neurological Surgery Department at Wayne State University participates with the San Francisco Match (www.sfmatch.org). Applicants apply through the match and applications are received by the department beginning in September. Applicants are screened by a selection committee and 24-30 applicants are chosen to interview. The applicants are invited to attend one of two interviews days hosted by the department. Interviews are conducted by the faculty with every selected applicant. The Chief Resident also participates in the interview process. At the end of the interview days, the applicants are ranked for the match list. The selected applicant receives an integrated appointment for a PGY-1 position as a surgical intern in the Detroit Medical Center. Applicants should also register for the NRMP for the PGY-1 position in General Surgery even though the position is guaranteed by acceptance in the neurosurgery program. Generally, only the most qualified applicants from superior LCME schools will be interviewed. We are looking for an applicant who is intelligent and personable, and has an unwavering quest for excellence. Humanistic qualities are not overlooked. The applicant should be inherently compassionate, congenial, pleasant, and be a team player. We look at the applicant's undergraduate and medical school GPA, honors, research, publications, especially in referred journals, presentations, AOA status, Dean's letter and letters of reference. The personal interview is very important in assessing all components important to a good "fit" for both the applicant and the program.