Applying to Radiology as a back up

[MD2001]

Hey guys

I'm applying for residency this fall (Applying for Rad-Onc) and am considering applying to radiology as a back up.

The problem is that I have no previous rotations in radiology (except a 2 week elective in the middle of surgery). I have no free time until October since I have rad onc aways scheduled..

If I have no radiology LOR and no previous radiology rotations does that basically eliminate any chances of matching? (I got a 246 on Step 1 and a mix of H, HP, and P throughout med school)

Any advice would be appreciated!

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[cowme]

Take a rads elective in october. You don't need a radiology LOR, just say you didn't get any exposure until october..by then you had already applied.

Don't apply to the same places for rads and rad onc.

 

[poloace]

radiology as a backup? that shouldn't even be a thought. you're either qualified enough to get into both or neither. radiology is no joke, kid. and, if its not what you want to do, you'll hate it.

p

 

[colbgw02]

radiology as a backup? that shouldn't even be a thought. you're either qualified enough to get into both or neither. radiology is no joke, kid. and, if its not what you want to do, you'll hate it.

p

I kind of get it. My understanding of the radiation oncology match is that there tends to be much more importance placed on rad onc research and audition rotations. Plus, when it comes to the match, it's a small enough subset that it will be more susceptible to variations around the mean. It's not like you can just have incredible numbers and a clean rap sheet (hyperbole) and match, like you can in radiology.

The better question is whether or not you'd enjoy radiology. A hate to be this obvious, but I feel like it needs to be said: their common use of radiation notwithstanding, they're very different fields. It doesn't follow at all that an interest in radiation oncology means an interest in radiology, or vice versa.

 

[RadOncDoc21]

I couldn't agree with you more. Radiation Oncology focuses on the use of radiation to treat cancer. You will see patients all day and if you don't like clinic, this is not the field for you.

You will have to not only learn a lot of physics but radiobiology as well as learn the indications for surgery, chemo and radiation to treat cancer. I know a lot of people assume the two fields to be very similar but other then the use of imaging to plan, the similarities of the two fields stop there. I have a lot of respect for radiologists and like surgeons, I could not do what they do (nor would I want to), but to each his/her own.

Good luck in the match!

My $0.02,

-R

I kind of get it. My understanding of the radiation oncology match is that there tends to be much more importance placed on rad onc research and audition rotations. Plus, when it comes to the match, it's a small enough subset that it will be more susceptible to variations around the mean. It's not like you can just have incredible numbers and a clean rap sheet (hyperbole) and match, like you can in radiology.

The better question is whether or not you'd enjoy radiology. A hate to be this obvious, but I feel like it needs to be said: their common use of radiation notwithstanding, they're very different fields. It doesn't follow at all that an interest in radiation oncology means an interest in radiology, or vice versa.

 

[2012mdc]

I kind of get it. My understanding of the radiation oncology match is that there tends to be much more importance placed on rad onc research and audition rotations. Plus, when it comes to the match, it's a small enough subset that it will be more susceptible to variations around the mean. It's not like you can just have incredible numbers and a clean rap sheet (hyperbole) and match, like you can in radiology.

The better question is whether or not you'd enjoy radiology. A hate to be this obvious, but I feel like it needs to be said: their common use of radiation notwithstanding, they're very different fields. It doesn't follow at all that an interest in radiation oncology means an interest in radiology, or vice versa.

Sort of related question. How similar or different would you consider a clinical IR practice that focuses heavily on interventional oncology vs radiation oncology? I find cancer interesting and was considered rad onc at one point but settled on radiology, likely IR with IO being the most intriguing part. Just curious

 

[cowme]

Sort of related question. How similar or different would you consider a clinical IR practice that focuses heavily on interventional oncology vs radiation oncology? I find cancer interesting and was considered rad onc at one point but settled on radiology, likely IR with IO being the most intriguing part. Just curious

Well, the main difference here is that radiation oncology is pretty much ENTIRELY clinic while at work (see patients from 9-5), then therapy planning during down time or at home.

IR with a heavy clinic side is more like a surgeon's schedule, with a couple full/half days of clinic, and the rest doing procedures.