Dual Apply IR/DR or DR w/ESIR

[buddybrown78]

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Hello all,
I am an MS3 at a US MD school. I am almost done my clinical year, currently on OBGYN rotation and have pediatrics left. Recently decided that I want to pursue interventional radiology as my specialty. Spoke with one of the assistant deans for student affairs for 4th year planning and she said that I should dual apply for IR and DR. Mentioned that it is common practice and the worst that could happen is that I would just end up matching DR. I have spoken with others about this and have read through different posts online and it seems like it would make more sense to just apply to DR programs with an ESIR option..? Especially with a limited amount of gold and silver signals, which would have to be split between IR and DR programs. Currently in the process of hopping on some research projects but have very little in the way of research which makes me feel like going the DR ESIR option might be better than dual applying. What do y'all think? Any helpful advice/input would be appreciated.

 

[irwarrior]

If you have an interest in DR , I would apply to DR and find an ESIR program with a strong integrated program or even consider procedural radiology (MSK/ body/ mammo/ neuro/ pain etc).

If you know for sure you want to do 100 pct VIR and not afraid of the lifestyle and unpredictable nature of VIR which is much more like a busy surgical field, I would apply IR. There is growing bias from IR program directors against DR minded applicants as there is a 20 to 25 pct drop out from IR residencies. IR residencies are much smaller and it more greatly impacts their workflow. We are also seeing more and more bias from DR program directors against DR applicants who express interest in IR or have IR research or are involved in SIR etc.

The caveat is that the independent spots are getting harder and harder to fill as there are far fewer DR residents going into ESIR and so many independent slots remain empty. Given this VIR program directors are starting to pivot funding from independent to integrated slots. However, if you are a current ESIR it is very easy to match into a very good VIR program.