Do I have no chance?

[Hopefulrad06]

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Hi all,

So I am super concerned and disappointed after a phone call with a company that helps get clinical experience for IMGs.

My step 1 score was less than 220 and I'm an old graduate who has completed radiology residency in home country. Moved to the US, giving USMLes and now I'm told I have slim to none chance as PDs don't look at step 2 CK score, it's step 1 that matters (95-98%) on the application.

I don't know what to do now. I can't retak step 1 but only try to improve on step 2, gain clinical experience and pray that I match into a program. But am I keeping too much hope? Should I look towards another speciality instead? If I match into a different specialty, is it possible to switch back to Radiology after 1-2 years?

Please help

Thank you.

 

[W19]

Look into pathology, FM and IM...

 

[Hopefulrad06]

Look into pathology, FM and IM...

Would I be able to switch to Radiology after a year if I match into let's say Pathology?

 

[radsisrad]

Doubtful.

 

[W19]

Would I be able to switch to Radiology after a year if I match into let's say Pathology?

Probably not. If you are dead set in becoming a radiologist in the US, it might not be possible with your stats. But if you just want to become a physician, I think you still have a shot at pathology, FM and IM in that order.

 

[Hopefulrad06]

Update for anyone who might come across this – DO NOT GIVE UP!

Despite many people advising me to give up on my dream of becoming a radiologist in the US with a 220 Step 1 score, I not only secured interviews but went straight into fellowships. Today, I’m successfully building my career as a radiologist in the US.

After speaking with many program directors, I learned that test scores are not the only factor they consider. Not everyone is a great test taker, especially older graduates who are essentially restarting their careers in the US. Keep pushing forward – your perseverance can make a difference!

 

[LegendaryBibimbap]

Counterpoint: GIVE UP NOW! Rads is overrated garbo job. Why would you encourage people to follow a crappy dream of grinding for 6 years to be a workstation slave?

EDIT: I just realized why some people like this love rads! Because they desperately squeezed into this specialty with low effort (barely studied for their grades and board scores, IMG'D their way ,in, etc.) so everything up to this point has been a breeze and now theyre grateful. Let me tell you: if you've been grinding this whole time with 99th percentile boards hoping for a reward at the end, save your energy now! The real grind begins at attending and it SUCKS LMFAO

 

[IM_to_ortho_hopeful]

Counterpoint: GIVE UP NOW! Rads is overrated garbo job. Why would you encourage people to follow a crappy dream of grinding for 6 years to be a workstation slave?

EDIT: I just realized why some people like this love rads! Because they desperately squeezed into this specialty with low effort (barely studied for their grades and board scores, IMG'D their way ,in, etc.) so everything up to this point has been a breeze and now theyre grateful. Let me tell you: if you've been grinding this whole time with 99th percentile boards hoping for a reward at the end, save your energy now! The real grind begins at attending and it SUCKS LMFAO

Can you expand on this what’s so bad about it

 

[LegendaryBibimbap]

Insane volume expectations which usually leads to crap quality output to compensate. Imagine sitting there 8-10 hours straight trying to take a test as fast as you can every shift.

For example, just saw a trauma/MVC case with multiocompartmental intracranial hemorrhage case totally called normal. I don't blame the rad at all, there's 10 more head CTs just dropped in the last ten minutes. Enjoy!

 

[IM_to_ortho_hopeful]

Insane volume expectations which usually leads to crap quality output to compensate. Imagine sitting there 8-10 hours straight trying to take a test as fast as you can every shift.

For example, just saw a trauma/MVC case with multiocompartmental intracranial hemorrhage case totally called normal. I don't blame the rad at all, there's 10 more head CTs just dropped in the last ten minutes. Enjoy!

Imagine being able to work from home anywhere in the world working for vrad or statrad better than dealing with an inbox