University of California (San Diego) Medical Center Program
Neurological surgeryUniversity-basedIMG: CHALLENGING
La Jolla, CA(Jolla, CA Metropolitan Area Metro)
17
Positions
#29
Specialty Rank
$86,819
PGY1 Salary
0.0%
IMG %
#29
Neurological surgery Ranking
76th Percentile
Top 24% of programs
Program Overview
Program Details
- ACGME Code:
- 1600521100
- NRMP Code:
- 1049160C0
- Program Type:
- University-based
- Total Positions:
- 17
- Interviews:
- 50
Contact Information
Admission Requirements
- Visa Sponsorship:
- H1B, J1, F1
Training Details
Training Structure
- Avg Hours/Week:
- 70
- Max Hours on Duty:
- 16
- Avg 24hr Off Duty:
- 1
- Lecture/Conference Hours:
- 4/week
- Night Float:
- Yes
- Vacation Days:
- 20
- Sick Days:
- 12
- Faculty Ratio:
- 1.20
Faculty & Teaching Environment
- Total Physicians:
- 21
- Non-Physician Staff:
- 1
- Part-Time Physicians:
- 2
- Female Faculty:
- 10.5%
- Outpatient Clinic Hours:
- 10%
Special Features & Unique Opportunities
UC San Diego Neurological Surgery's seven-year residency provides comprehensive training in all aspects of modern neurosurgery. The program's mission is to train the neurosurgical leaders of tomorrow. Residents train in high-volume settings that span the breadth and depth of neurological surgery sub-specialties while utilizing the most cutting-edge technologies available today. More than 2,000 procedures are typically completed upon graduation.
Program Offers & Benefits
- Housing stipend
- On-call meal allowance
- iPads, tablets, etc., or technology allowance
- Placement assistance upon completion of program into practice, fellowship or academia
Educational Opportunities
- Integrative medicine curriculum
- Curriculum to develop health systems leadership skills (e.g., QI project leadership, community/organizational advocacy)
- Formal program to foster interprofessional teamwork
- Alternative/complementary medicine curriculum
- Economics of health care systems curriculum
- Debt management/financial counseling
- Resident/fellow retreats
- Off-campus electives
- MPH, MBA, PhD or other advanced degree training
Research Opportunities
Research Rotation
Required
Duration
104 weeks
Salary Progression
$86,819
PGY-1
$89,311
PGY-2
$92,363
PGY-3
$95,549
PGY-4
$98,984
PGY-5
Benefits Package Details
Dental Coverage:Fully Paid by Institution
Disability Insurance:Fully Paid by Institution
Group Life Insurance:Fully Paid by Institution
Major Medical Coverage:Fully Paid by Institution
Inpatient Mental Health:Fully Paid by Institution
Outpatient Mental Health:Fully Paid by Institution
Major Medical (Residents):Fully Paid by Institution
Major Medical (Dependents):Fully Paid by Institution
Location & Lifestyle
Location Overview
Cost of Living & Housing
- Cost of Living Index
- 105(US avg: 100)
- Median Home Price
- $1.0M
- Median Monthly Rent
- $3.3K/mo
- Median Household Income
- $57K
- Rent as % of Resident Salary
- 45.6%(FREIDA)
Demographics & Community
- Metropolitan Population
- 39,356,104
- Median Age
- 30 years
- Bachelor's Degree or Higher
- 0.25
- Poverty Rate
- 25.0%
- Unemployment Rate
- 2.0%
Climate & Weather
Summer
70°F
Winter
55°F
Sunny Days
230 days
Precipitation
35"
Humidity
55%
Local Cost of Goods & Services
Coffee
$3.73
Restaurant Meal
14.94
Gas (per gallon)
$3.98
Gym Membership
37
Purchasing Power AnalysisEnhanced Data
Cost data updated: 6/12/2025
Application Information
Program Details
- ACGME Code:
- 1600521100
- NRMP Code:
- 1049160C0
- Total Positions:
- 17
- Interviews:
- 50
- Program Type:
- University-based
Contact Information
- Program Director:
- William Russell Taylor
- Email:
- wtaylor@health.ucsd.edu
- Program Website:
- Visit Website
- More Information:
- More Information
Application Timeline
- Application Period:
- 6/1/2026 - 9/22/2026
- Interview Period:
- 12/1/2026 - 1/31/2027
- Video Interviews:
- Not Available
Application Requirements
- Required Letters:
- 3
- Moonlighting Allowed:
- Yes
Examination Requirements
USMLE Requirements
- Step 1 Required:
- No
- Step 2 Required:
- No
- Min Step 1 Score:
- 235
COMLEX Requirements
- COMLEX Level 1:
- No
- COMLEX Level 2:
- No
Program Start Dates & Match Information
Start Dates
- Available Start Dates:
- July
Match Information
- NRMP Main Match:
- Yes
- NRMP Codes:
- 1049160C0
Institution & Program Size Details
Institution Information
- Institution:
- University of California (San Diego) Medical Center
- Primary Teaching Site:
- University of California (San Diego) Medical Center
- Contact Person:
- Cha Esguerra
- Contact Email:
- cesguerra@health.ucsd.edu
Program Size by Year
- First Year Positions:
- 3
- Positions by Year:
- PGY-1:3PGY-2:3PGY-3:2PGY-4:2PGY-5:2PGY-6:2PGY-7:3
Program Policies & Additional Information
- Smoking Policy:
- Smoking Allowed
- Salary Tax Status:
- Yes
- Paid Leave Days:
- 60
- Unpaid Leave Days:
- 120
IMG/DO Friendliness
International Medical Graduates (IMG)
- Visa Sponsorship
- J-1 through ECFMG, H-1B, F-1
- IMG Percentage
- 0.0%
- IMG Classification
- CHALLENGING
Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO)
- DO Percentage
- 0.0%
- DO Classification
- CHALLENGING
Rankings & Reputation
Program Rankings
This section is currently being developed with comprehensive ranking data and analysis.
Resources & Tools
Advanced Matching Tools
Maximize your match potential with our AI-powered analysis tools