fourth year scheduling for radiology

[radsbuddy]

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So I'm trying to schedule my fourth year rotations and I'm hoping to get some helpful advice on how I should set up my 4th year rotations.

Which months would be the best to schedule radiology electives? As of now I'm thinking of doing 1 month diagnostic rads, then 1 month peds radiology, and 1 month interventional between July and September. Does this sound like a good plan?
How late can I do my radiology "audition" rotations? Would October or November be too late?
How early would I need to get LORs in?
When is a good time to fit in research?
When do most people take time off for interviews?

So many questions! Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks!

 

[colbgw02]

My initial impression is that you're doing too much radiology. It sounds like you're planning on doing 3 months plus your audition rotations. That's way too much, I think. A program director, whose advice I trust, told me once that too many rads rotations is a red flag on your application. They would rather see you get more clinical experience. If you haven't already done one, I would do one general radiology rotation followed by a subspecialty rotation, like peds or interventional, with the hope of getting a LOR out of the latter.

 

[radsbuddy]

My initial impression is that you're doing too much radiology. It sounds like you're planning on doing 3 months plus your audition rotations. That's way too much, I think. A program director, whose advice I trust, told me once that too many rads rotations is a red flag on your application. They would rather see you get more clinical experience. If you haven't already done one, I would do one general radiology rotation followed by a subspecialty rotation, like peds or interventional, with the hope of getting a LOR out of the latter.

Thanks for the advice! I was actually planning on doing just 3 radiology rotations. 1 each in diagnostics, peds, and interventional.

 

[MrBurns10]

Thanks for the advice! I was actually planning on doing just 3 radiology rotations. 1 each in diagnostics, peds, and interventional.

I agree with colbgw02...and I actually think 3 rads rotations is too much. How about one clinical and one research? Or one diagnostic and one IR? I think either one of those combos wouldn't be a red flag but anything more would.

Get your LORs in as early as possible. Have at least 2 turned in by early September. October is not too late for an audition rotation but I think November is pushing it...besides, you don't want to be missing days on your away to interview, and a lot of interviewing goes on in November.

 

[2012mdc]

No home program and no elective time 3rd year.

I planned to do 1 DR, 1 IR, and 1 more but I'm unsure of what exactly. Aug, Sept, and Oct. 1 in the region of my med school (South) and the other 2 in different regions (West, NE) I'm interested in for residency.

The one I'm unsure about could involve mostly research.

If only one is pure DR do you still think 3 is too much?

 

[sashIMI]

No home program and no elective time 3rd year.

I planned to do 1 DR, 1 IR, and 1 more but I'm unsure of what exactly. Aug, Sept, and Oct. 1 in the region of my med school (South) and the other 2 in different regions (West, NE) I'm interested in for residency.

The one I'm unsure about could involve mostly research.

If only one is pure DR do you still think 3 is too much?

i think 3 will probably ok since they're not all DR...but i wouldn't do more than 3. a lot of the students i came across during my auditions were doing ~2-3 auditions in radiology each (usually 1 in IR). i did 3 total (although one was an elective during 3rd year), 2 general, 1 IR. no one really questioned me about that. you'll submit ERAS in sept anyways so your future schedule won't be on it. but during interviews they might ask you where you're currently rotating and in what field. i did get asked occasionally what upcoming rotations i had planned...it seemed like sometimes they did want to know how strong my clinical base was or would be by the time i graduated?

 

[2012mdc]

i think 3 will probably ok since they're not all DR...but i wouldn't do more than 3. a lot of the students i came across during my auditions were doing ~2-3 auditions in radiology each (usually 1 in IR). i did 3 total (although one was an elective during 3rd year), 2 general, 1 IR. no one really questioned me about that. you'll submit ERAS in sept anyways so your future schedule won't be on it. but during interviews they might ask you where you're currently rotating and in what field. i did get asked occasionally what upcoming rotations i had planned...it seemed like sometimes they did want to know how strong my clinical base was or would be by the time i graduated?

Cool, sounds good. I have an IM Sub-I planned and then our required Ambulatory rotation so hopefully that's sufficient

 

[badasshairday]

Is doing only one DR rotation in 3rd year and then applying to Radiology a red flag? As in they might think you don't have enough exposure in the field to choose it?

I am also doing some Radiology research now and through 4th year to combat that.

 

[fun8stuff]

Is doing only one DR rotation in 3rd year and then applying to Radiology a red flag? As in they might think you don't have enough exposure in the field to choose it?

I am also doing some Radiology research now and through 4th year to combat that.

nope, some people don't do any radiology rotations. you don't necessarily need to do a rotation do get exposure. radiology plays a major role in most areas of medicine. You're interest could have been piqued by talking with the radiologist in the reading room during rotations, looking at studies on your own/reading reports, etc.

I did 3 rotations.... 1 general, 1 pediatric, 1 research.... mostly because I wanted a light 4th year. However, I think 3 is pushing it.

 

[sashIMI]

Is doing only one DR rotation in 3rd year and then applying to Radiology a red flag? As in they might think you don't have enough exposure in the field to choose it?

I am also doing some Radiology research now and through 4th year to combat that.

not a red flag at all...like fun said above, some people don't do any radiology rotations. some people knew from birth they wanted to be a radiologist, some knew 3rd year, some don't know until the day ERAS is due, and some don't realize it until they've gone through a whole other residency! you will get asked why radiology though, so have your story ready...

 

[radsbuddy]

Do I need to do a diagnostics radiology rotation before I do one in peds or IR?

 

[fun8stuff]

Do I need to do a diagnostics radiology rotation before I do one in peds or IR?

imho, no.

 

[RisingSun]

imho, no.

Your school may require it, though. A month-long DR rotation is a prerequisite for the IR elective here at least.

I think that any more than 2 months radiology is overkill, personally.

 

[DrVanNostran]

If I end up applying rads, I would end up doing 1 rotation in July or Aug. I already did one rotation during third year. Most people I talked to just chilled for the most part 4th year and took fun clinical electives (i.e. Emergency).

 

[fun8stuff]

If I end up applying rads, I would end up doing 1 rotation in July or Aug. I already did one rotation during third year. Most people I talked to just chilled for the most part 4th year and took fun clinical electives (i.e. Emergency).

fun...clinical??/ what? how can you use those in the same sentence?

 

[DrVanNostran]

fun...clinical??/ what? how can you use those in the same sentence?

Only in rads forum would that cause a laugh!

For the past month I have been contemplating on applying for IM with the later pursuit of heme/onc...then just yesterday I caught a glimpse of IM rounds and was reminded of the torture of that!

 

[fun8stuff]

Only in rads forum would that cause a laugh!

For the past month I have been contemplating on applying for IM with the later pursuit of heme/onc...then just yesterday I caught a glimpse of IM rounds and was reminded of the torture of that!

i did heme-onc electives and research (throughout undergrad and early med school). almost applied to IM... god, glad i didnt go that route! i liked everything but the actual day-to-day practice 🙄

 

[DrVanNostran]

i did heme-onc electives and research (throughout undergrad and early med school). almost applied to IM... god, glad i didnt go that route! i liked everything but the actual day-to-day practice 🙄

Imagine if medicine was just as efficient as radiology 😎

 

[radsbuddy]

I am planning on starting with a rotation in DR, then doing an IR or peds rotation and research. I was just wondering if I should do radiology research as my 2nd rotation or is it ok to do it at the end once I've done my other radiology rotations? Also is it possible to get involved with research while on a radiology rotation or should I actually take a month off for research? Thanks!

 

[choweee]

You could probably start research on your DR rotation if it's anything like mine was (reading room observation in the morning, noon conference, reading room observation in the afternoon... no duties, no attendance taken, most people left after lunch).

I'm taking a research month more just to take a break. I don't think the order really matters, just schedule it depending on your preference, I guess. What are your main concerns re: timing?

 

[chet]

Can anyone comment on if doing a DR month in July is bad timing? I know its discouraged in other fields due to the new residents but haven't heard anything regarding Radiology. Thanks.

 

[ar2388]

i did one in July at my home institution. I ended up helping the new fellows and residens quite a bit bc i knew the EMR well so I think i was helpful 🙂

 

[chet]

i did one in July at my home institution. I ended up helping the new fellows and residens quite a bit bc i knew the EMR well so I think i was helpful 🙂

Thanks for the reply.

My school gives very limited time for electives so I want to make sure I use them wisely. Can anyone else comment if I would be wasting a month by doing a DR elective in July?

I have no home program, so it would be an away if that makes a difference. Thanks!