How late is it to consider Radiation Oncology

[ERDOC555]

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UPDATE: After reading all of the responses and looking at the new match data from 2019 it appears that my initial fears of applying to Radiation Oncology late in the game have been assuaged. I really do appreciate all of the amazing advice and posts, and I do think that I will have a reasonable shot at applying Rad-Onc. I'm obviously really sad to see the changes to the field that have led to this decreased competition, but this may be a once in a lifetime oportunity for me to switch this late in the game.

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Interestingly enough I found that I really enjoyed radiation oncology, likely more so than other fields that I was previously considering. I feel like it is far too late to pivot towards radiation oncology at this point in third year. Step 1 is good >250, mostly clerkship honors, however research is all in other unrelated areas, not radiation oncology.

That being said, it seems like there has been a huge decrease in applicants the past 1-2 years, which could make it more favorable despite lacking field-specific research.

Also, I'm fully aware of some of the problems facing radiation oncology, so no need to push me away from rad onc based on the job market.

Just curious hear thoughts from people with a little more knowledge about the application process recently.

 

[medgator]

Other than hours, what made you consider the switch to RO. The work is quite different, as is the patient population.

That might come up during interviews

 

[Krukenberg]

I’d say most reasonable PDs are more interested that you’ve done research and understand the process, than whether your research is specifically in Rad Onc. I dont think it’s too late

 

[evilbooyaa]

Is any of your derm research on skin cancer? Change of hearts happen all the time, PDs will understand. I think if you could get some RO specific research (even an abstract submitted) by the time ERAS opens you'd be a lock to match somewhere (likely not at the most competitive programs however). 250+ Step 1 and good clinical grades will help. Doing rotations in rad onc and getting good LoRs will help as well.

Given that there are a multitude of threads about the job market already, let's try to not turn this one into another one of them.

Assuming you are an end of year MS3.

 

[nkmiami]

I’d say most reasonable PDs are more interested that you’ve done research and understand the process, than whether your research is specifically in Rad Onc. I dont think it’s too late

You will have no problem getting into at least a mid level program. Whether you can match at your top choice/location in the specialty is a different matter. Also, some attendings could help you at least submit and abstract with maybe several weeks of work a couple of hours a day. I certainly could.

 

[KHE88]

Rad Onc is lower on the competitiveness scale these days (for good reason) and all indicators it will continue to fall.

So I have little doubt you will match somewhere, even if you end up with minimal or no research and just a couple of away rotations.

But you need to be aware that you derm history will raise a lot of eyebrows. This specialty has had a problem with derm applicants using it as a backup given the well-known low match rate in derm and that both are very good lifestyle outpatient fields with (formerly) high compensation (but otherwise couldn't be more different). This will cause people to think you are only interested in it for the hours and the money. We have a handful of candidates every year for whom the post-interview discussion centers around whether or not they are applying to rad onc as a backup for derm, and these people typically get knocked down the ranklist (but certainly not off of it just due to that).

I will forego commentary about the wisdom of choosing rad onc over derm as you requested, but bottom line is that it will be a hard sell to convince people that you did an honest 180 from derm to rad onc and aren't dual applying when you are very competitive for derm. This doesn't mean you won't match (you will), but I'd say odds of getting your top ranks are somewhat lower.

 

[barsoum.michael]

Does anyone mind explaining why it has become less competitive and what are the problems facing rad onc? I'm very interested in entering into rad onc

 

[medgator]

Does anyone mind explaining why it has become less competitive and what are the problems facing rad onc? I'm very interested in entering into rad onc

Letter to Medical Students

Radiation Oncology is not the best field in medicine.

Would you advise M3/M4s to go into this field?