Why is general surgery not competitive?

General surgery is a rough slog. It is a lot of hard work and is not as well reimbursed as some of the easier specialties such as orthopedics or opthalmology. For this reason, it is not very competitive.

Is general surgery difficult to match?

Overall Competitiveness of General Surgery Residency and Chances of Matching. The overall competitiveness level of general surgery is Medium for a U.S. senior. With a Step 1 score of 200, the probability of matching is 38\%. With a Step 1 score of >240, the probability is 93\%.

Why do people choose general surgery?

The patient allows the surgeon to do something life-altering. The surgeon has the responsibility of someone’s life in their hands. I pick the lifestyle of general surgery: operating, constantly improving my skills, and giving my patients the opportunity for a better life.

Is general surgery better than neurosurgery?

Also, in a case of polytrauma, the general surgeon is (usually) the team leader and takes precedence over neurosurgery and orthopaedic surgery. Neurosurgery is generally limited to the brain and spinal cord (including the spine), so the depth of knowledge is greater, as compared to breadth.

Is general surgery Easy to get into?

General surgery can be considered a highly competitive specialty. In the 2018 NRMP Match, 1080 allopathic medical students applied for available positions. To maximize your chances of matching with your first-choice residency program in general surgery, you must become well informed as early as possible.

How tough is general surgery residency?

General surgery training has traditionally been so rigorous, that when residents’ work hours were limited to a maximum of 80 per week in 2003, many programs struggled to comply. If the application is accepted, the candidate is invited to sit for an eight-hour written exam that almost a quarter of them will not pass.

Can a general surgeon also be a neurosurgeon?

As a physician, you have already completed college and medical school. A general surgeon has already completed a surgical residency and might need only two or three years of specialty training to become a neurosurgeon, and some programs might be willing to admit you.