The thing is you can’t really work in pathology unless you know what you are doing. You can’t gross, there’s no use in you previewing slides. You don’t want to work as a histotech.
The only way is probably to do research with someone preferably a chairman who can give you exposure in return for your volunteer work doing research. Maybe do pathology case reports or whatever. Work on a project getting a bunch of slides together and write a paper based on pathologic findings.
I would not do basic science or clinical research. That will not help your cause. Do pathology based research where you could publish in a pathology journal. Before you volunteer ask the person you are working with if you can also spend some time during signout in return for your research efforts. That is one way to get into a department. I would try to work with someone who publishes a lot. A chairman who has a lot of pull in the department abd who is willing to help you out. Not some lowly assistant professor. This can all culminate in you getting a good letter of recommendation for residency from someone famous and well known. If you get a good opportunity, you can kill three birds with one stone: publish a paper, get Path exposure and get a strong letter of recommendation from someone famous.
If you cant get any exposure, I would recommend the above tactic to get into a department.
Sad to say it but pathology is not a competitive field. Some mid to lower tier programs would love someone who has Path experience (can gross) and is reliable. I’ve seen program directors shout with joy after matching 3 applicants when they ranked 50 candidates. SMH.
During the interview season at some of the lower tier programs, the candidates look like the United Nations coming through the department.
You do have to show you have Path exposure however.
