Neurological SurgeryUniversity BasedSponsors J-1 and H-1B

University of California (San Diego) Medical Center Program

Neurological Surgery residency program in La Jolla, California, sponsored by University of California (San Diego) Medical Center.

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About University of California (San Diego) Medical Center Program

ACGME code
1600521100
Program director
Sharona Ben-Haim
Location
La Jolla, California
Data updated
October 3, 2026
Positions
3
First-year spots
Applicants
325
Latest cycle
Interview rate
17.2%
Of applicants invited
IMG residents
0%
Share of current residents
Visa sponsorship
J-1 and H-1B
For residents

University of California (San Diego) Medical Center Program is a university Based Neurological Surgery residency program in La Jolla, California, sponsored by University of California (San Diego) Medical Center. It offers 3 first-year positions, higher than the typical Neurological Surgery program (2).

In the latest application cycle the program received 325 applications and invited about 17.2% of applicants to interview. That is a higher interview rate than most Neurological Surgery programs, which interview about 14.3% of applicants.

None of the program's current residents are international medical graduates (IMGs), while the median Neurological Surgery program has 0%. The program sponsors J-1 and H-1B visas.

Residents work about 70 hours a week in their first year. The program offers research track.

Requirements and screening

USMLE Step 1 is pass/fail, so Step 2 CK is the score programs screen on. These are the details IMGs most often need before deciding whether to apply.

  • Step 2 CK minimum score
  • Step 2 CK scores of interviewed applicants
  • Application deadline
  • Residents' medical schools and countries

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Applications and interviews

How often applicants were invited to interview, depending on the signal they sent.

  • Gold signal: interviewed0%
  • Silver signal: interviewed0%
  • No signal: interviewed0%
  • Geographic preference matched: interviewed0%
  • Geographic preference not matched: interviewed0%
Positions offered
3
Interview rate
17.2%
Letters of recommendation
At least 3
Visa sponsorship
J-1 and H-1B

Current residents

Residents by medical school type

  • US MD graduates100%
  • US DO graduates0%
  • US IMGs0%
  • Non-US IMGs0%

Demographics

  • Women25%
  • Men75%
  • White56%
  • Asian19%
  • Hispanic or Latino31%
  • American Indian or Alaska Native6%
  • Other19%

Contact and location

Program director
Sharona Ben-Haim
Program coordinator
Cha Esguerra
Coordinator phone
(858) 357-3155
Program phone
(858) 444-7009
Sponsoring institution
University of California (San Diego) Medical Center

9300 Campus Point Drive #7893 La Jolla, CA 92037 Open in Google Maps

University of California (San Diego) Medical Center Program: frequently asked questions

Does University of California (San Diego) Medical Center Program sponsor visas?

Yes. University of California (San Diego) Medical Center Program sponsors J-1 and H-1B visas for residents. Visa policies can change between cycles, so confirm with the program coordinator before you apply.

Is University of California (San Diego) Medical Center Program IMG-friendly?

University of California (San Diego) Medical Center Program currently has no international medical graduates among its residents. For comparison, the median Neurological Surgery program has 0% IMG residents. It sponsors J-1 and H-1B visas.

How many residency positions does University of California (San Diego) Medical Center Program offer?

University of California (San Diego) Medical Center Program offers 3 first-year Neurological Surgery positions, and 3 were filled in the latest Match.

How competitive is University of California (San Diego) Medical Center Program?

University of California (San Diego) Medical Center Program received 325 applications and interviewed about 17.2% of applicants. The typical Neurological Surgery program interviews about 14.3%.

What Step 2 CK score do I need for University of California (San Diego) Medical Center Program?

USMLE Step 1 is now pass/fail, so Step 2 CK is the main score programs use to screen applicants. This page has University of California (San Diego) Medical Center Program's Step 2 CK minimum and score range of interviewed applicants. Unlock the screening details above to see them. Across Neurological Surgery programs, the median Step 2 CK score of interviewed applicants is about 256.

Do program signals help at University of California (San Diego) Medical Center Program?

Applicants who sent University of California (San Diego) Medical Center Program a gold signal received interviews about 0% of the time, silver signals about 0%, and applicants without a signal about 0%.

Where is University of California (San Diego) Medical Center Program located?

University of California (San Diego) Medical Center Program is located at 9300 Campus Point Drive #7893 La Jolla, CA 92037. Its sponsoring institution is University of California (San Diego) Medical Center.

Who is the program director of University of California (San Diego) Medical Center Program?

The program director is Sharona Ben-Haim. The program coordinator, Cha Esguerra, is the usual contact for application questions.

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