Competitive Residencies: an honest question

[RedEric]

---

Members do not see this ad.

So call me a gunner or whatever...I promise I am not, but I know you will think so. I am embarrassed to even talk about this but its just something I need to know. Please bare with me...

So I really really want to go into Radiation Oncology! It is something I heard about when I was in high school and wanted to do it ever since. It was only recently that I learned it was one of the most competitive programs to get into! So we just finished our first semester and honestly, I worked my ass off. I don't think I could have tried any harder. We had about 3 sets of exams, but for the entire semester, we only get a single letter grade (H,HP,P,MP,F) to show for it all. Needless to say, I was in the running for an honors much to my surprise by the end. We got our grades earlier this week, and sadly I missed an honors by a FRACTION of a point. Approximately 1/4 of our class made honors. Now I was pretty bummed. Of course a high pass is great, but it also seems like that is my limit, as I definitely put as much effort in as I could.

So here is my question: seeing that Rad Onc is such a competitive field, and that it seems like MY best is not THE best, is it possible to end up getting into a high caliber residency like that with sub-best grades like that? I plan on taking a year to do research, since that is important, and I want to do everything in my power to help me get to that dream of mine. However, it seems like I am not cut out to be at the top of the class.

Does anyone have any suggestions, success stories etc? Again, sorry if this all seems a bit douche-y. I am NOT complaining about my grade, I am just worried its not going to be enough!

 

[mercaptovizadeh]

So call me a gunner or whatever...I promise I am not, but I know you will think so. I am embarrassed to even talk about this but its just something I need to know. Please bare with me...

So I really really want to go into Radiation Oncology! It is something I heard about when I was in high school and wanted to do it ever since. It was only recently that I learned it was one of the most competitive programs to get into! So we just finished our first semester and honestly, I worked my ass off. I don't think I could have tried any harder. We had about 3 sets of exams, but for the entire semester, we only get a single letter grade (H,HP,P,MP,F) to show for it all. Needless to say, I was in the running for an honors much to my surprise by the end. We got our grades earlier this week, and sadly I missed an honors by a FRACTION of a point. Approximately 1/4 of our class made honors. Now I was pretty bummed. Of course a high pass is great, but it also seems like that is my limit, as I definitely put as much effort in as I could.

So here is my question: seeing that Rad Onc is such a competitive field, and that it seems like MY best is not THE best, is it possible to end up getting into a high caliber residency like that with sub-best grades like that? I plan on taking a year to do research, since that is important, and I want to do everything in my power to help me get to that dream of mine. However, it seems like I am not cut out to be at the top of the class.

Does anyone have any suggestions, success stories etc? Again, sorry if this all seems a bit douche-y. I am NOT complaining about my grade, I am just worried its not going to be enough!

Perhaps you should ask a mod to move this to the Radiation Oncology forum. I wouldn't worry too much at this stage. You may make a few honors in the preclinical years yet.

 

[colbgw02]

You're new at this so you lack perspective. Don't worry; it happens to everyone. If your school is anything like mine, in a few years you'll realize that your preclinical grades mean barely anything as compared to clerkships and USMLE scores. It's much, much more important for you to do well on boards and in surgery and medicine than anatomy and physiology.

The research is a good idea, but research in rad-onc is even better. More so than any other specialty, rad-onc wants you to be published in rad-onc, IMHO.

Don't get scared off by match statistics. Sure, rad-onc is competitive, but don't self-select yourself out of the pool if it's what you really want. Getting to know the rad-onc staff at your hospital and networking is just as important as your numbers.

 

[Pinkertinkle]

You're new at this so you lack perspective. Don't worry; it happens to everyone. If your school is anything like mine, in a few years you'll realize that your preclinical grades mean barely anything as compared to clerkships and USMLE scores. It's much, much more important for you to do well on boards and in surgery and medicine than anatomy and physiology.

The research is a good idea, but research in rad-onc is even better. More so than any other specialty, rad-onc wants you to be published in rad-onc, IMHO.

Don't get scared off by match statistics. Sure, rad-onc is competitive, but don't self-select yourself out of the pool if it's what you really want. Getting to know the rad-onc staff at your hospital and networking is just as important as your numbers.

Its too bad getting honors in surgery or medicine is probably significantly harder and more luck based than preclinical grades.

 

[troopa]

Out of those who apply to the top-paying specialties, how many do you think apply just because they can (theyre at the top of their class) as opposed to truly applying because they genuinely love the type of work they'll be doing?

 

[spospo]

Out of those who apply to the top-paying specialties, how many do you think apply just because they can (theyre at the top of their class) as opposed to truly applying because they genuinely love the type of work they'll be doing?

i feel like this could go both ways though. yes, smart people may apply just because they can OR someone may want to go into one of those fields so they work their butt off in med school and thus they are at the top of the class.

i personally don't like the assumptions people make about students who are interested in the "top paying specialties." As of right now, i am highly attracted to anesthesia for reasons other than just $. I actually like the field, but i shy away from telling people that because i know what a lot of people assume. i'm not attacking you here, sorry if it sounds like that. just kind of stating how i feel 😀

 

[PeepshowJohnny]

Out of those who apply to the top-paying specialties, how many do you think apply just because they can (theyre at the top of their class) as opposed to truly applying because they genuinely love the type of work they'll be doing?

Very few actually. Derm is so competitive that I don't think anyone would be 100% confident of matching, so why risk it unless you love it? Plastics is actually very hard work and requires insane dedication...similar for ENT. Urology takes a special interest. Rad Onc? This is a field you spend a lot of time preparing yourself to match in (huge research requirement) so you don't see people flittering into it on a whim.

Radiology may be the "biggest culprit" but there's still people out there who wouldn't be a good fit for this field. I had a friend tell me that he was jealous of the fact that I enjoyed radiology, because he'd love the money and lifestyle but can't handle the field. Gas is somewhat similar, but again, I know people who say "I wish I could love anesthesia" because of the benefits.

 

[themudphud]

The fact that you have picked Rad Onc tells me that you are a very smart person (no inpatients, no rounds, no late nights, no real call and lots and lots of money money money) so I know you'll figure something out.

The research is good. Non-clinical courses are not a huge deal--do well on your medicine clerkship, medicine sub-I and rad onc elective/sub-I.

If you continue working as hard as you do, you will land somewhere for residency and that's all that matters for rad onc.

I'm pretty sure next year I'll be wishing that I was as smart as you.

 

[mikedc813]

PM me if you want. I just went through the application process last year and managed to sneak into radiation oncology....

I wasn't the best in my class, but managed to get one of the few rad onc spots (there's about 150/yr). You don't have to be the smartest, trust me. But you do have to show initiative, make the right connections, and also have relatively competitive scores and grades.

I learned that if you want something bad enough, you'll work your butt off to get there and usually things work out. That's what I did.

Research is the key....

 

[Dirt]

Approximately 1/4 of our class made honors.

Damn that seems ridiculously high. Top 10% roughly make honors at my school.