Student Interest Group in Neurology (SIGN)

The Student Interest Group in Neurology (SIGN) program is a network of more than 150 chapters in medical schools across the United States and Canada. SIGN fosters medical student interest in neurology by providing opportunities to participate in clinical, research, and service activities in neurology, increasing the student's neurologic knowledge, and creating an interest in the AAN. Please explore our website to find out what our group is doing. We hope that you will consider joining us at our next event.

SIGN Logo

Neurology Selectives/Electives

Medical Students Neurosciences Education 

Away Rotations

Access an online directory of Neurology clerkships the Tools and Resources Section for the American Academy of Neurology

Membership

Benefits of Joining SIGN

  • Socialize with students, residents, and faculty who share your interest in neurology.
  • Shadow neurologists.
  • Attend patient presentations and seminars.
  • Develop experience, leadership, and valuable contacts.
  • Join the nationwide SIGN network.
  • Meet other SIGN members at the Annual Meeting.
  • Apply for SIGN scholarships (see Scholarships/Awards Section for details):
    • $3,000 Summer Research Scholarship
    • $1,000 AAN Annual Meeting Scholarship
  • Free AAN Membership, which affords the following advantages:
    • Free AAN Annual Meeting registration, which includes scientific platform and poster sessions, Plenary Sessions, Colloquiums, Awards Luncheon, Opening Party, Exhibits, reduced Annual Meeting course fees and the Rush Line for courses.
    • Access to AAN Practice Guidelines.
    • Job Placement Tools via the Dendrite.
    • Access to the On-line Fellowship Directory.
    • Members-only access to the AAN’s web site.
    • Opportunity to be selected as an award recipient.
    • Option of subscribing to the Neurology journal at a reduced fee.
    • Free online access to current and back issues of Continuum: Lifelong Learning in Neurology®
    • Subscription to the member newsletter AANnews.
    • Volunteer opportunities in your field of interest.
    • Opportunities to network with the best neurologists from around the world.

How to Join

  • Submit dues ($10) to the group’s treasurer. Dues need to be paid on an annual basis, and only dues-paying members will be eligible to receive food/drink at group events.
  • Complete the application for student membership to the American Academy of Neurology (AAN). N.B.: Application must be resubmitted every year, and a student must be a member of the AAN in order to be considered for any of the AAN-sponsored scholarships/awards. Submit completed forms to group’s treasurer, who will have the forms certified by the Dean’s Office and will fax the forms to the AAN.

SIGN Opportunities

Clinical Opportunities & Shadowing

What does a neurologist do? How would I spend my day if I were to enter this field? What types of patients would I treat if I were to go into this field? How do the neurology sub-specialties differ?

If you are in the pre-clinical portion of your medical training, it is possible to get answers to these questions by shadowing neurologists in their clinics. Shadowing experiences may be as short as a single afternoon or as long as a semester or summer and can be tailored to meet your needs. 

If you are interested in shadowing experience, please contact Ms. Olivia Burch at 843-792-3222 or email burchon@musc.edu.

Research Opportunities

Funding for Student Research

  • AAN
  • NIH Summer Health Program
  • Drug Abuse Research Training (DART) Program
  • Arnold P. Gold Foundation

Scholarship Opportunities

American Academy of Neurology

See the following website for information about individual scholarships/awards:
Tools and Resources for Medical Students

Resources

SIGN Resource Manual

National Organizations