Interested in Radiology & Applying to Med. School

[Jason110]

Hey,

I figured I should post a message on this board, since some on the 'pre-med' board don't really know what they are talking about. I'm currently an undergraduate BME (biomedical engineering) major at Washington Univ. I'll be applying to medical school soon and I'm really interested in radiology (neuro- or interventional or maybe even both). I have done a lot of research here at MIR (Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology) -- though no publications, yet. I've done research in both the neuro- division and in the interventional division. I can tell you I've fallen in love with radiology as a subject.

Talking to some residents and fellows at MIR regarding medical school admissions, they say it's more important to graduate in the top 20% of your school from a 'mediocre' school than to graduate at the bottom from a 'great' school for a radiology residency. Is there some truth to this idea? Should I listen to what they say when choosing med. schools?

So, what should I look for when choosing one, considering my goals after medical school? I know that most people change their career plans many times during medical school, but your advice would be greatly appreciated.

Jason

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[Andrew_Doan]

While graduating in the top 20% of your class from a "mediocre" medical school will be looked upon favorably, I still think you should go to the most prestigious school you can get into. Look at the match list from Harvard, Hopkins, Wash. U, etc..., the students are getting into any residency they want.

For instance, there are few spots for neurosurgery training each year. In the early 1990s, there were eleven Hopkins students applying for neurosurg residency. ALL students matched. In this group who matched, there were some in the top 1/3, middle 1/3, and lower 1/3.

The question I propose to you is: how do you know that going to a "mediocre" school will make it any easier to be in the top 20%? You'll be surprised how tough the mediocre programs can be. Students from these programs know that they have to do well in order to match in the competitive residencies; thus, you'll find that many students will be studying very hard.

My advice is pick the program that fits your personality. If you have the choice of going to one of the big name schools and the program fits well with you, then pick the more competitive program. I have found that going to Hopkins has opened more doors for my colleagues than closed.

Good luck!

 

[carrigallen]

just go to whichever school is best for you. Don't try to second-guess your personal preferences...go to the best medical school available for you, including location, reputation, family, etc.

I don't believe that radiology will ever be so competitive that decent and dedicated students from any school fail to enter somewhere. Now finding a spot that might get you into IR or neuro later on might be tougher, but all the more reason to go the best medical school you can.

 

[Jason110]

What about the curriculum in the medical school? Are there some types of teaching (i.e. PBL) more conducive to radiology? What class(es) or concentrations are important to radiology (obviously pathology and anatomy)?

What should I think about schools that integrate radiology through the four years instead of having a 2-3 wk. elective/clerkship in MS III/IV? Is one preferable?

Jason

 

[Gauss]

whoa buddy - calm down
everyone "integrates" radiology into classes - anatomy, path, etc.
Generally schools have electives in radiology you can take in the 1st 2 years.
You have no choices as to what core classes you can take so you take what they give you. Concentrating so much on a specialty during med school would be detrimental to a broad-based medical knowledge.

Now let's get down to the meat of all this - I'd say rads is the next derm in terms of popularity. I know so many people that want to go into it for the lifestyle and money. It's gotten to the point that only the top 15% have a chance for residency, and by your time maybe the top 5%. Additionally it's pretty pathetic the miniscule level of nuclear physics that's expected of radiologists. So don't expect special physics knowledge or knowledge of the equipment to help you. It really all boils down anatomy knowledge.
NOw there's gonna be a surplus of radiologists real soon (next couple of years) and the field is not growing much so their salaries are gonna take a hit. So everyone now wants to do 'Interventional'.

My point with all this is that if you go into interviews saying you're committed to rads don't expect much sympathy. It's rather folly to lock into 1 field so early, especially one with the least patient interaction. IT's hard to get into other fields when you have the personality type of a radiologist who is inept with patient interaction. Yes I'm generalizing here, so go ahead and point out the exceptions if you need to.

 

[BenHoganFan]

IMO it doesn't matter what accredited school you attend as long as you perform well, do well on the boards, and have a great personality. Residency directors and admission committees for radiology programs look at the stats : GPAs, class rank, Boards and screen out everyone below a particular setpoint. Personality, research, other intangibles will distinguish a candidate from the rest of the pack. Obviously, attending a medical school that has a radiology residency program will help give you the exposure to the field, potential research and strong letters of recommendation (from academic radiologists) that will help your cause. Attending a medical school that is more primary care based will be more difficult to get the exposure and will necessitate doing an outside rotation or two to supplement your educational goals.

PGY 2
Diagnostic Radiology

 

[birdie]

Since I will be going to a med school which doesn't rank their med students (Creighton), will I be at a disadvantage even if I perform well?

 

[rajneel1]

go to a decent, cheap school and do research in radiology. that will help you no matter what school you go to.

 

[rajneel1]

birdie i don't think you will be at a disadvantage, if crieghton is pass/fail, then don't worry about grades and spend your time in the lab. lots of top med schools don't have grades (P/F)or rank their students like harvard, stanford, yale...and their students certainly do match.