MS1 Looking for Advice

[Printer5000]

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Hello everyone,

I am currently an MS1 and trying to plan my summer between MS1-MS2. I have worked with radiologists and techs for multiple years and I believe I want to be a radiologist. However, I really don’t have any mentors and am not sure how to maximize my chances for matching. I have been following this and other residencies forums for a few years now, but I feel like I still don’t know what I should be doing.

What would you recommend someone in my situation do? For reference, I go to a mid-tier US MD school, score slightly below average on written exams, have 1 undergrad research position with 0 pubs/presentations, first generation college student...(edited some information for anonymity)

I will meet with a school advisor in January to see if they can advise me. I know we have radiologists affiliated with the school, but I do not know how nice they are.

Any messages or PMs are greatly appreciated.

 

[SpartanWolverine]

Many schools have a list of alumni who are willing to mentor/advise students. I would see if you could get in touch with someone through your school to spend some time with.

 

[Printer5000]

Thanks for the reply. Yeah, we have a list of people who mentor students and none of them are radiologists. I plan to email them anyway and see if they would put me in a research project and mentor me. Maybe the radiology interest group can narrow my search if I can’t find anything.

 

[clutch21]

I wouldn't sweat any radiology specific mentorship right now. A strong Step 1 and good clerkship grades form the foundation for any application, regardless of specialty. If you can get some research in between MS1 and MS2, you'll be in great shape. It doesn't even need to be radiology specific. I'd also recommend keeping an open mind heading into your clerkships. You might end up wanting to do something else.

 

[Aurum]

The medical education system is tough enough to navigate even for someone of relative privilege, so congratulations on overcoming some major hurdles on the path to medical school.

I echo clutch21's advice on focusing on academic performance primarily and keeping an open mind. Does your medical school have a radiology residency? If so, the program director of said residency is a good person to email. If no residency, does your school require radiology during MS3 or have a MS4 elective? The attendings in charge of those rotations will be more receptive to working with medical students. Explain your interest and that you're interested in getting involved with research early.

If that fails, any research between MS1 and MS2 will bolster your application, so definitely email someone on that mentor list whose work piques your interest. Good luck!

 

[Printer5000]

Thanks everyone.

Fortunately, my school does have a radiology residency and usually accepts 1-2 from our class (and IMGs and DOs). My plan right now it to talk with an advisor and ask her/him about opportunities, then email the program director, then email other attendings associated with the school as a last resort.

Can someone explain the process of applying to radiology residencies and transitional/advanced programs and pros/cons. I still don’t really understand that part and I feel like there’s a lot I don’t know. The process worries me a bit because everyone who applies on this forum seems to have high stats, and I see myself being around average.

I do consider other specialists such as internal med (being a hospitalist), med-peds, and endocrinology (outpatient). The only downside to radiology is the low amount of patient contact.

Also, I do not think I would enjoy doing procedures (except maybe some fluoro); I definitely see myself as someone who works with my mind and not my hands.

 

[Cognovi]

everyone who applies on this forum seems to have high stats

Typical SDN. Orient yourself to the NRMP data to provide a more realistic picture.

I see myself being around average

That's the wrong attitude. As an MS1, it is too early to resign yourself to mediocrity. You don't have stats yet.

Can someone explain the process of applying to radiology residencies and transitional/advanced programs and pros/cons.

Radiology training occurs during post graduate years (PGY) 2 through 5. A full clinical year is required for PGY-1. An advanced program means it starts at PGY-2, so that you separately have to secure a position for PGY-1. A transitional year is a PGY-1 position and consists of rotations in multiple clinical specialties, such as medicine and surgery, and sometimes pediatrics, obstetrics/gynecology, psychiatry, neurology, and others. A preliminary residency is a PGY-1 position in one clinical specialty, such as medicine or surgery, or sometimes pediatrics, rarely obstetrics/gynecology. A categorical program is one that rolls in a PGY-1 clinical year, typically at the same institution, with the advanced program. When you apply to programs, you can apply to and rank both advanced and categorical programs. For every advanced program, you specify a ranked list of PGY-1 programs. Ranking advanced programs allows you to mix and match PGY-1 spots. Categorical programs are a bundled package, saving you an extra application but locking you into a PGY-1 program. The majority of positions offered are advanced positions.

 

[Printer5000]

Thank you for that information.

Do the advanced programs look more favorably on preliminary or transitional programs, or is there no preference?

 

[SpartanWolverine]

Thank you for that information.

Do the advanced programs look more favorably on preliminary or transitional programs, or is there no preference?

Basically no preference.

Advanced programs really have no say in what kind of PGY1 year you do -- though many suggest you do a prelim year at their hospital if there is one available. As many places with radiology programs also have prelim years available many 'advanced' programs can, in effect, also be considered roughly categorical if you decide to apply for prelim at those same institutions. Don't think they really care which you do otherwise, though... PGY1 doesn't seem to have much application to rads other than getting you familiarized with the hospital/system/people.

TY programs are usually seen as easier than prelim years and are thus quite competitive (actually moreso than radiology, in my experience this cycle).

 

[TCOM12]

Luck favors the prepared, so good job learning about the match process.

If you go to the radiology specific site, you’d get more anxious with posts of “I have a 265 step 1 and junior AOA, will I match?” It’s a forum. There are helpful people and there are trolls. Just be conscious of that.

But I agree with the guy/gal above. Focus on crushing step 1 and do well during clinical year 3. That is what will get you interviews.

And who knows, maybe you’ll like another subspecialty. Never pigeon hole yourself in medicine.

Best of luck.