Number of Rads electives?

[bla_3x]

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Here’s the story, I don’t want this to be a “what are me y chances thread, so I’ll do my best.

VERY recently learned that I really want to do radiology, at least I really think that I do. I have been set on EM for a while now and consequently set my fourth year to achieve that end. While on a rotation at the end of my third year I spent a lot of time in radiology. I really enjoyed the people the work, etc. I didn’t think much of it b/c I had EM tunnel vision.
While doing fourth year didactics at my school something just snapped! I realized that radiology is the culmination of all that I like in medicine (LOVE anatomy, love to work with technology/physics, have always enjoyed reading imaging studies, etc.). The thing is, however, that I have found out so late. I have one open month in September. I am reluctant to give away my audition EM rotation (in August) for fear of loosing that option just in case.
Here’s how I look thus far:
Grades: >90% avg. don’t know class rank but I am in the osteopathic honor society (sigma sigma phi)
Boards: COMLEX step I – 96th percentile * NO usmle step I ! (I know, stupid)
Planning on taking USMLE Step II
Extra: club leadership with one “officer of the year” for my region.
Did help start a radiology club on campus but the officers let that die.
Great letter from EM doc (will likely say a lot about me and emergency medicine though.)
Great letter from IM doc (really focused on me and IM since that was what I wanted at the time
Great letter from FP doc,
Hope to get good letter from wherever I rotate in Radiology.

So, how many electives should I take? Will one be sufficient?
Also, anyone know of ANY programs out west that would be realistic ith the above info?

Thanks everyone!

 

[GammaRay]

Here’s the story, I don’t want this to be a “what are me y chances thread, so I’ll do my best.

VERY recently learned that I really want to do radiology, at least I really think that I do. I have been set on EM for a while now and consequently set my fourth year to achieve that end. While on a rotation at the end of my third year I spent a lot of time in radiology. I really enjoyed the people the work, etc. I didn’t think much of it b/c I had EM tunnel vision.
While doing fourth year didactics at my school something just snapped! I realized that radiology is the culmination of all that I like in medicine (LOVE anatomy, love to work with technology/physics, have always enjoyed reading imaging studies, etc.). The thing is, however, that I have found out so late. I have one open month in September. I am reluctant to give away my audition EM rotation (in August) for fear of loosing that option just in case.
Here’s how I look thus far:
Grades: >90% avg. don’t know class rank but I am in the osteopathic honor society (sigma sigma phi)
Boards: COMLEX step I – 96th percentile * NO usmle step I ! (I know, stupid)
Planning on taking USMLE Step II
Extra: club leadership with one “officer of the year” for my region.
Did help start a radiology club on campus but the officers let that die.
Great letter from EM doc (will likely say a lot about me and emergency medicine though.)
Great letter from IM doc (really focused on me and IM since that was what I wanted at the time
Great letter from FP doc,
Hope to get good letter from wherever I rotate in Radiology.

So, how many electives should I take? Will one be sufficient?
Also, anyone know of ANY programs out west that would be realistic ith the above info?

Thanks everyone!

Your record sounds strong. However, it's still gonna be very tough. Starting so late makes your application a tough sell. You may have trouble getting a letter in time. Also, not having taken step I and being a DO both put you at a disadvantage at most mid to upper tier programs (totally unfair, but true). However, you may have a chance at one of the community programs. Don't drop the EM rotation. Do the radiology elective in September. It's quite late, but your chances are much better in EM than radiology and you may not like radiology after doing it for a solid month. If you do, give it a shot. You may want to also apply to EM programs and rank them after the rads programs. Just don't apply to Rads an EM at the same hospital (looks bad). If you apply to both, keep it on the DL. Remember, you can send different LOR's to each program if you choose. Good luck!

 

[Cowboy DO]

One elective might be enough, just be sure you can get a LOR. I'm worried about securing one and im doing 2 rotations.

I'm not very familiar with any of the west coast programs, but i do know of at least one program over hear on the east coast that took a DO a year ago with just a comlex score. So it does happen. What school are you from? I would look at past match lists and ask around.

Also, I thought the osteopathic honor society was Psi Sigma Alpha. I thought Sigma Sigma Phi was an osteopathic service fraternity. There is an unfortunate mistake on the ERAS application forms, mistaking the two.


Gamma,

Im also doing a rotation in september, if i get a LOR from them and as long as its in before november it should be ok right?

 

[bla_3x]

Also, I thought the osteopathic honor society was Psi Sigma Alpha. I thought Sigma Sigma Phi was an osteopathic service fraternity. There is an unfortunate mistake on the ERAS application forms, mistaking the two.
QUOTE]

You are very right, I am sorry.
I guess I just got jazzed b/c there was some cutoff for rank/grades to get into this...or so our school says.

I go to AZCOM.
Does anyone think that taking usmle step II and doing well will help?
I never was thinking about getting into top tier (or close to that) programs.
I have just heard shady things about a lot of the DO programs...and I am one who really loves a good didactic program, something that AOA programs seem to lack universally.

Can I apply to both specialties, at different institutions, and not have the PDs know?
Can I rank both and not have them know?

Anyone know of programs that take applicants during the internship year?

 

[Cowboy DO]

You can still put Sigma Sigma Phi down, I would. There is an academic cut off so its not a bad badge to have.

I'm only a 4th year in your shoes so take my advice for what its worth. I would take step II it can't hurt, especially if you do well on it. It also might bolster your app for EM should you need that. You can apply to two specialties at once, so go ahead. From what im told PD's wont know unless you do it at the same hospital and even then they might never find out. However if they ask you at an interview you shouldnt lie. So go ahead give it a shot, rank both and see where the cookies crumble.

We might not match radiology but if we dont try our chances are 0%.

Good luck to you. Its refreshing to see someone in a similar spot as myself.

 

[GammaRay]

Gamma,

Im also doing a rotation in september, if i get a LOR from them and as long as its in before november it should be ok right?

You should be OK. It's just that I've had friends go through the match in previous years and have to pester letter writers for many months before getting the letter sent to the Dean's office. If you letter writer understands the deadlines and is a generally considerate person, you should be OK. Remember, your letter writer will only have about 2 months at most to write your LOR. Pick with care...

 

[GammaRay]

Does anyone think that taking usmle step II and doing well will help?

YES, absolutely... assuming the score is good.

I am one who really loves a good didactic program, something that AOA programs seem to lack universally.

Not so. Many top programs have excellent didactic programs. My home program is a good example.

Can I apply to both specialties, at different institutions, and not have the PDs know? Can I rank both and not have them know?

Yes and yes. PD's from different fields (Rads and EM, for example) and different schools don't talk.

Anyone know of programs that take applicants during the internship year?

Technically, they all can. However, if you want to start immediately after internship, you'll need them to somehow create a new spot for you. Or, you can take the place of someone who quits/gets fired. Otherwise, you'll have to sit out the year after internship or do another internship.

 

[Cowboy DO]

What’s you’re home program if you don’t mind me asking. I'd like to apply to a few DO programs but I heard they are unlikely to take someone who hasn’t rotated at the program.

 

[bla_3x]

What’s you’re home program if you don’t mind me asking. I'd like to apply to a few DO programs but I heard they are unlikely to take someone who hasn’t rotated at the program.

I have heard the same.
Its good to hear about the didactics!