MS3 late to the game...

[MantisTobogganMD]

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MS3 applying in next year's match. I recently decided to apply to Rad Onc. The problem is I have no Onc research, nor have I applied for any away rotations or even signed up for VSAS (changing from a field where aways are not required).

My stats are Step 1 >260 / AOA likely / top 25 school / 1 first-author on a surgical paper (non-onc) and some scattered abstracts/presentations (3-4).

How am I looking at this point? Will I need to take a year off to do research? Are away rotations absolutely vital?

I wish I were one of those all-stars who knew since day one they wanted Rad Onc and had all their ducks in a row, but I am taking the turns of life as they come. I would love to hear feedback from those of you who may have been in my shoes or know people who were. It would also be great to hear from people who review applications and how you view applicants such as myself. Thank you.

 

[thecarbonionangle]

have you done one rad onc rotation at your home program already, at least?

 

[xrthopeful]

have you done one rad onc rotation at your home program already, at least?

Don't be so neg, man

 

[MantisTobogganMD]

have you done one rad onc rotation at your home program already, at least?

I haven't. I realize I am putting the cart before the horse; unfortunately given my clerkship schedule and the quickly approaching match timeline, I may need to cancel a different Sub-I in order to pursue Rad Onc. Naturally, I want to make as informed a decision as possible.

Don't be so neg, man

It's all good. I am skeptical of my new-found interest as well.

 

[thaddeus]

From your post you seem like a cool guy/gal, so I hope you end up liking the field and matching in Rad Onc. Its a great field. Your stats are obviously very solid, and if you decided to apply this coming year you would stand a good chance of matching somewhere, especially if you manage to do an away rotation and get on a clinical rad onc project to the point where you at least have an abstract to show on the interview trail. That being said, the safest play would be to take a year off, get some solid research experience, and get your ducks lined up for away rotations at good programs. This would probably give you a lot more options in terms of quality programs where you would have a shot of matching. Not sure what your life situation is, but if a year off isn't totally off the table I would encourage it. A year seems like a lot right now, but when you finish residency and find yourself scrambling for jobs in mediocre locations (see some of the threads on this forum), you may wish you had taken the extra time and matched at the best program possible.

 

[Phantom1]

From your post you seem like a cool guy/gal, so I hope you end up liking the field and matching in Rad Onc. Its a great field. Your stats are obviously very solid, and if you decided to apply this coming year you would stand a good chance of matching somewhere, especially if you manage to do an away rotation and get on a clinical rad onc project to the point where you at least have an abstract to show on the interview trail. That being said, the safest play would be to take a year off, get some solid research experience, and get your ducks lined up for away rotations at good programs. This would probably give you a lot more options in terms of quality programs where you would have a shot of matching. Not sure what your life situation is, but if a year off isn't totally off the table I would encourage it. A year seems like a lot right now, but when you finish residency and find yourself scrambling for jobs in mediocre locations (see some of the threads on this forum), you may wish you had taken the extra time and matched at the best program possible.

Definitely agree. One year is not much time to learn more about the field that you want to be in for the rest of your career right?

 

[Neuronix]

I disagree. If you can match now, take the opportunity. The best way to do this is to get as much exposure to rad onc as you can as soon as possible. Do at least one rotation, preferably two, and try to set aside a month for rad onc research all early in fourth year. If you find you need the extra year to "up your brand" at a prestigious fellowship or learn more about/do research in a particular area of radiation oncology, it'll be more valuable to your career as a fellowship later than a pre-residency year now.

At least when you're nearing the completion of residency, you can weigh your job opportunities and decide whether an extra year at 60k salary is worth it to try to find a different job. It seems to me that very few US grads currently are interested in the fellowship route, which tells me that the residents not from "quality programs" are doing just fine. Where are these not quality programs anyway? Of the 80 or so rad onc residency programs, are there some programs where grads are not finding jobs? I'm not seeing it.