how to improve my app for radiology?

[bauhinia123]

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I'm starting third year rotations and I became very interested in radiology after looking at some neuro imaging when I'm rotating through Neurology. My Step1 score is below avg for radiology (234) so I wonder how can I improve my application for Radiology. I've been working on a cancer research project since MS1 and I have a couple podium presentations and publications from that project. In addition to honoring most rotations and doing well on step2, should I start a radiology research project (maybe take a year off to work on this while getting a MPH) or should I keep working on my cancer research project? If I do well in third year and on step2, will I be able to match into a mid-tier program? With a below avg step1, should I bother applying to radiology?

Thanks a lot for your time!

 

[Radlad]

1. Continue working on project. People care that you're committed to your research. My feeling on the interview trail was that nobody cares whether or not you did radiology specific research in med school. What seems to be of higher value to admissions committees is commitment to and genuine interest your work (i.e., you're not just doing research to check some box).

2. Assuming you do well on rotations, mid-tier and even higher-tier are in consideration. Seriously.

3. Granted, the score is below average for matriculating radiology residents if you look at the most recent Charting Match Outcomes report, but you shouldn't overly focus on what is one of many parameters used to invite you to interview. As one resident told my class once, a high Step 1 score isn't predictive of excelling in residency, but a very low one may signal a low probability of succeeding. Past a certain threshold for most programs, nobody cares how high your Step 1 score is. If your score were 200, I'd truly be concerned.

4. As much as an MPH is surely to draw attention from the resident selection committees, it'll mean little if you don't do well on the things that actually matter (i.e., clerkship grades, recommendations, research, steps). If you do decide to pursue the MPH, start thinking about how it will add value to your career, your future residency program, and society in general. People WILL ask. And as you know, nobody likes degree collectors.

You'll be ok! Seriously. Best of luck!