California Programs Competitive?

[standoc]

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Hey all,

I'm a college senior considering radiology. i'm starting medical school either at michigan (where i'm accepted) or maybe stanford ( waitlisted). I am just curious, how difficult is it to get a spot in california ? I imagine its easier matching in california if I stay in the bay area, but that may not be an option.

thanks
Standoc

 

[michrad]

okay, let me preface by saying that i am only stating my opinion. first off, if you are only about to start medschool, you have ALOT to experience before you decide that you want to do radiology. that aside, certain things matter when applying for rads residency. first off, you have to do well in med school. when you are a competitive candidate for residencies, most programs want you to either be a stellar candidate (tough to stand out in this climate) or to have a legitimate reason for wanting to go there. being from cali originally, i can tell you that is a a good enough reason. number two, it never hurts to come from a good medschool. michigan is considered top notch, and you will not likely face any discrimination coming from there. plus, ann arbor is a sweet place to live in (i went there for undergrad, and absolutely loved the experience). that said, go to stanford if you currently love it and get in in the end. but michigan is nothing to slouch at. i will be starting my rads residency in ann arbor, and i am happy as can be to match there. good luck.

 

[standoc]

Originally posted by michrad
okay, let me preface by saying that i am only stating my opinion. first off, if you are only about to start medschool, you have ALOT to experience before you decide that you want to do radiology. that aside, certain things matter when applying for rads residency. first off, you have to do well in med school. when you are a competitive candidate for residencies, most programs want you to either be a stellar candidate (tough to stand out in this climate) or to have a legitimate reason for wanting to go there. being from cali originally, i can tell you that is a a good enough reason. number two, it never hurts to come from a good medschool. michigan is considered top notch, and you will not likely face any discrimination coming from there. plus, ann arbor is a sweet place to live in (i went there for undergrad, and absolutely loved the experience). that said, go to stanford if you currently love it and get in in the end. but michigan is nothing to slouch at. i will be starting my rads residency in ann arbor, and i am happy as can be to match there. good luck.

michrad,

I am originally from Michigan, but I had a good time in the bay area during college. I agree with you that it is early for me, but my limited shadowing experience makes that my tentative plan unless something changes it. I've heard that its extremely hard to get a position in california, and I can't predict yet if i'll be stellar, so I'm trying to find out more. I am certainly pleased to get into Michigan, i've grown up near this school and until recently i would have gone there without a thought.

If you anyone else has any other thoughts about this, please respond.

 

[michrad]

standoc,
i couldn't blame you at all for loving northern cali. yes, cali is difficult to match into in general. have you heard of the radiology website auntminnie.com? in a lot of ways, the med student discussion site has deteriorated since the match. but if i were you, i would go back to see the posts during this years interview/match process. be aware - if you are new to the site, take everything with a grain of salt. and the site tends to be dominated with posts from gunners, akin to "i am junior aoa, 250 board score, and 4 publications. do you think i can match?" and the like. but you can sift through and find out some good info.
best wishes. hopefully it eases up in the next few years.