Did I just ruin my chances in rads?

[bd1987]

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[Adam638]

Take Step 2 early and do VERY well. Kill your 3rd year with honors. Get involved with some radiology research with hopes of a publication or two. Do 4th year away electives at places you think you would like to go. Probably not Duke or UCSF, but pick some middle to lower-tier programs and do well on your away rotations. All is not lost, but you have some ground to make up....Good luck 🙂

 

[bd1987]

What would you consider to be programs I'd have a shot at, given I kill Step 2 and do well on rotations?

 

[Adam638]

Check out AuntMinnie for subjective views on programs.

 

[jahbrony]

....

1. Can I even recover from this? That is, can I actually match in rads or is it off the table now?

Yes. Step 1, while a huge chunk of the application, it isn't everything. Strive for the following:

• Great third year grades
• AOA status
• Take step2ck early and crush it
• Meaningful radiology research (and if not radiology, then any kind of meaningful research)
• Solid letters of rec.
• Start networking. Meet rads in your department and other nearby departments. You don't have to be on a radiology rotation to do this either.
• Are you female? That may help.

2. If not, is there any chance I'll get an interview at places that aren't in the middle of nowhere? I'd really like to go to a big city, if possible.

To be honest, I think your best bet is with community programs or in lesser desired cities. Even though step 1 isn't everything, your desires are in tune with a large percentage of the rest of the applicant pool. And as you already know, many of them are strong applicants. If I remember correctly, in 2009 something like 450 people had scores of 241+ on step 1 and matched into rads. Now, it doesn't tell you where these people matched at, but I think it's fair to assume that many matched at desirable big cities (chicago, boston, nyc, etc.) Nothings impossible, but the odds are not in your favor. Big city is certainly possible...it just might not be the one you want.

3. Any advice on where to proceed from here?

See #1. Do well third year. Crush step 2ck early on. Start networking. Don't panic -- there's still a lot you can do to strengthen your app 👍

 

[a winner is you]

If not, is there any chance I'll get an interview at places that aren't in the middle of nowhere? I'd really like to go to a big city, if possible.

To be perfectly honest from my own experience, no. Unless you do an externship there and even then it might just be a courtesy interview with no intention to rank you. I had 250+ step 1 and step 2, top 25% of my class, and I had a lot of difficulty getting interviews in big cities outside of my region (even at lesser regarded programs).

 

[poloace]

stop asking and do.