how difficult to get into community rads program w/ below-avg stats?

[bulldog]

---

Members do not see this ad.

w/ step 1 in 210s range, almost all P's in a school w/ Honors, no activities, no research, and really nutting special on applications, is it possible to get into a no name radiology program? any lists of potential programs?

 

[ariwax]

There are no walk-in spots in radiology in the current climate. You should find a community-based program that you like, do an audition elective there, get LORs and pubs this year (or at least some research), apply BROADLY across the board, and hope for the best. You should get something if you apply to enough places, and rank every interview you get.

ariwax

 

[radiologywizard]

BUMP ... What about same situation with board score in the 240's. Advice on amt of applications, where? Chances? Thx

 

[bigfrank]

bulldog: apply to 50-100 programs in the hopes of getting 10 interviews -- which is widely assumed to give one a very high chance of matching.

radiologywizard: you'll be fine -- programs are notoriously obsessed with Step I scores. You'll probably get interviews at most places you apply. I think 10 interviews is also a reasonable goal. You have the luxury of being more selective in terms of the places you apply.

good luck to you both.

 

[plusminus]

bulldog: apply to 50-100 programs in the hopes of getting 10 interviews -- which is widely assumed to give one a very high chance of matching.

radiologywizard: you'll be fine -- programs are notoriously obsessed with Step I scores. You'll probably get interviews at most places you apply. I think 10 interviews is also a reasonable goal. You have the luxury of being more selective in terms of the places you apply.

good luck to you both.

Bigfrank,

Given a 210's Step 1 and applying to 100 programs, what do you think the chances are of getting 10 interviews (and ultimately matching). You are giving me hope that a 210's Step 1 will not eliminate me from the field but I am not sure if you are saying there is a chance (as in there is always a small chance for anything to come true) or if there is a significant chance.

Thanks.

 

[bigfrank]

It probably depends on how strong the rest of your application is. I would say that with strong letters and, very importantly, good or better M-3 grades, you would probably get 5-15+ interviews if you applied to 100 programs.

Keep in mind that there is a great deal of -- WTF!!??!!?? -- experiences that people have in terms of who gets rejected vs. interviewed.

Good luck!

 

[abcdef]

yes i was wondering along the same lines as 'bulldog'...let's say you have a person w/ a step 1 score ~200 and who has research experience (but no publications) and p's in a school w/ honors...any chance of getting into a specialty like radiology? would a much better score on step 2 help at all?? and/or getting good recs and doing well 3rd year?

 

[ljl1982]

From what I've heard, radiology resident selection tends to be geographical. For more specific advice you should meet with your Dean, faculty advisor, and/or program director of the rads residency program at your medical school.

 

[Tomjoad]

I hate to post another one of these, but I haven't seen another example quite like mine. Basically, my Step 1 is crap (201), but I then got 1/2 P's and 1/2 honors 3rd year (top 1/3 -- 1/4 of class), have research in basic IM and am currently invloved in 2 Interventional projects, and just got my 254 Step 2 score yesterday. I feel like I've been a pretty decent medical student who had a real bad day at the worst time (Step 1). I know radi programs typically use Step 1 for broad screening, so will my Step 2 score even help me at most programs or will I automatically be screened out before they even get to my grades and Step 2? I don't have any real aspirations of matching at any major university program, but what would my chances be at a non-major university or community program? Any thoughts or suggestions? Thanks in advance.

 

[flux=rad]

I hate to post another one of these, but I haven't seen another example quite like mine. Basically, my Step 1 is crap (201), but I then got 1/2 P's and 1/2 honors 3rd year (top 1/3 -- 1/4 of class), have research in basic IM and am currently invloved in 2 Interventional projects, and just got my 254 Step 2 score yesterday. I feel like I've been a pretty decent medical student who had a real bad day at the worst time (Step 1). I know radi programs typically use Step 1 for broad screening, so will my Step 2 score even help me at most programs or will I automatically be screened out before they even get to my grades and Step 2? I don't have any real aspirations of matching at any major university program, but what would my chances be at a non-major university or community program? Any thoughts or suggestions? Thanks in advance.

No novel ideas, stick with the basics. Apply to a lot of programs. If interviews don't come your way in a satisfactory fashion, start making phone calls indicating your interest. In some cases that may help get other parts of your app noticed, even if you have been passed over initially.

 

[cliffhanger]

Agreed, a Step 1 of 201 will probably be a major obstacle. However, you do have substantial evidence to show that you are just as good a candidate as anyone else matching into rads. You'll have to find ways to point that out to programs. The PD at your home institution will probably give you the best advice. Lots of away rotations at programs with low competitiveness may improve your chances. Possibly taking a year off for research. Talk to your PD.