How likely it is for a foreign student to get into a radiology residency program?

[RicecakeY]

Hi guys,

I am not from the US and am currently in DVM2 studying in Australia. I do however have a US green card, and have always been planning to take NAVLE and work in the States as a GP. However, as we learnt more about diagnostic imaging in second year, I have started to gain more interest in radiology, so now I'm debating the merits of applying for a diagnostic imaging residency program in the US once I graduate.
In Australia, my previous school breaks had mostly been filled up with industry placements, so I haven't done any internship program or research. My grades are relatively good in comparison to my cohort, 'Distinguished' (~79-82 out of 100, ~top 15%), but definitely not in the top 5% of 'High Distinguish'. I don't know how to convert my grades to GPA so sorry about that. And I did not join any clubs because I have always thought I would just become a GP. I don't have any connection with a working radiologist.

In this sense, I guess I'm just asking how likely it is for a DVM student graduated from a school outside the US to get into a residency program? And is there anything I can do starting from right now to increase my chances of getting into a program? I would really appreciate any advice I can get, thank you!

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[pp9]

Hi guys,

I am not from the US and am currently in DVM2 studying in Australia. I do however have a US green card, and have always been planning to take NAVLE and work in the States as a GP. However, as we learnt more about diagnostic imaging in second year, I have started to gain more interest in radiology, so now I'm debating the merits of applying for a diagnostic imaging residency program in the US once I graduate.
In Australia, my previous school breaks had mostly been filled up with industry placements, so I haven't done any internship program or research. My grades are relatively good in comparison to my cohort, 'Distinguished' (~79-82 out of 100, ~top 15%), but definitely not in the top 5% of 'High Distinguish'. I don't know how to convert my grades to GPA so sorry about that. And I did not join any clubs because I have always thought I would just become a GP. I don't have any connection with a working radiologist.

In this sense, I guess I'm just asking how likely it is for a DVM student graduated from a school outside the US to get into a residency program? And is there anything I can do starting from right now to increase my chances of getting into a program? I would really appreciate any advice I can get, thank you!

I'm not familiar with radiology residencies so don't have a ton of specific advice, but it's not uncommon for a foreign graduate to end up stateside during internships/residency. Some programs do not accept non-US applicants, so be careful of that (they may not necessarily state this on their VIRMP page, either, so best to reach out and ask). Anecdotally, academic residencies seem to host more foreign residents than private practices but that's just from what I've seen. A decent portion of the residents I interacted with while in vet school were not from the US. I'm not sure if already having a green card changes anything - again another reason to reach out to programs you're interested in and ask.

I would find your nearest radiologist and spend some time with them. Join the radiology club if your school has one. Does Australia have any vet radiology associations? If so, join it and start networking/attending conferences as you can.

 

[battie]

@SkiOtter do you remember who did the radiology residency? They have a tiger as their profile pic.

 

[Trilt]

It's @allygator13 I'm fairly sure.

 

[RicecakeY]

I'm not familiar with radiology residencies so don't have a ton of specific advice, but it's not uncommon for a foreign graduate to end up stateside during internships/residency. Some programs do not accept non-US applicants, so be careful of that (they may not necessarily state this on their VIRMP page, either, so best to reach out and ask). Anecdotally, academic residencies seem to host more foreign residents than private practices but that's just from what I've seen. A decent portion of the residents I interacted with while in vet school were not from the US. I'm not sure if already having a green card changes anything - again another reason to reach out to programs you're interested in and ask.

I would find your nearest radiologist and spend some time with them. Join the radiology club if your school has one. Does Australia have any vet radiology associations? If so, join it and start networking/attending conferences as you can.

Thank you so much for the information! I will be getting a radiology rotation in fourth year, and currently we have a radiologist lecturer teaching classes to us. I will look into any radiology clubs or fellowships I can potentially join.

This might be too specific of a question, I was just wondering if you happen to know, as a foreign student if we get a LOR from a radiologist of another country, whose specialty might not be recognized by the US vet board, will the LOR still gonna be valid? This is one of my concerns as a foreign student. I know this is a very specific question, so it's totally fine if you don't have an answer. Few people get into a residency program straight away anyway, I know I'm more than likely to work for a few years as a GP first in the States before getting an internship or a residency. I will definitely meet radiologists in the States by then.

Thanks again for the advice!

 

[pp9]

Thank you so much for the information! I will be getting a radiology rotation in fourth year, and currently we have a radiologist lecturer teaching classes to us. I will look into any radiology clubs or fellowships I can potentially join.

This might be too specific of a question, I was just wondering if you happen to know, as a foreign student if we get a LOR from a radiologist of another country, whose specialty might not be recognized by the US vet board, will the LOR still gonna be valid? This is one of my concerns as a foreign student. I know this is a very specific question, so it's totally fine if you don't have an answer. Few people get into a residency program straight away anyway, I know I'm more than likely to work for a few years as a GP first in the States before getting an internship or a residency. I will definitely meet radiologists in the States by then.

Thanks again for the advice!

I would assume it would be fine since that person is just as boarded as someone in the US, but those who evaluate residency apps might be able to give you a more concrete answer.

 

[allygator13]

Hi guys,

I am not from the US and am currently in DVM2 studying in Australia. I do however have a US green card, and have always been planning to take NAVLE and work in the States as a GP. However, as we learnt more about diagnostic imaging in second year, I have started to gain more interest in radiology, so now I'm debating the merits of applying for a diagnostic imaging residency program in the US once I graduate.
In Australia, my previous school breaks had mostly been filled up with industry placements, so I haven't done any internship program or research. My grades are relatively good in comparison to my cohort, 'Distinguished' (~79-82 out of 100, ~top 15%), but definitely not in the top 5% of 'High Distinguish'. I don't know how to convert my grades to GPA so sorry about that. And I did not join any clubs because I have always thought I would just become a GP. I don't have any connection with a working radiologist.

In this sense, I guess I'm just asking how likely it is for a DVM student graduated from a school outside the US to get into a residency program? And is there anything I can do starting from right now to increase my chances of getting into a program? I would really appreciate any advice I can get, thank you!

Late to the party as I just got back from being overseas. I agree with what has been said by other posters; I know plenty of programs in the US that take foreign residents, but as mentioned above, not all of them do. One of my same year residentmates was from Australia! Definitely as others have mentioned, you will need strong relationships and connections with at least one radiologist to apply for a residency program. If the radiologist abroad is boarded (either by the American board [DACVR] or European [DECVDI]) that is fine, otherwise I'm not sure they will be recognized in the same way. My Australian residentmate did an equine internship and worked as an equine veterinarian for several years in Australia, and then came to the US and did an equine ultrasound fellowship at UC Davis before getting a residency. I'm not as familiar with other foreign residents' paths, but typically it still requires an internship first, whether that is in the US or elsewhere.