Post match

[UHS05]

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MD Anderson - took 6, 1 MD/PhD from Vandy, 1 MD/PhD from Albert Einstein, MD/PhD from Northwestern, 1 from Mayo, 1 from Emory, ...

MSKCC - took 4, 2 MD from Cornell, 1 MD from harvard, 1 MD from Germany

Harvard - took 7 - 2 MD/PhD from Hopkins, 1 MD/PhD from Duke, 1 MD/PhD from Harvard, 1 MD from Harvard, 1 MD from Penn, 1 MD from Columbia

Stanford - took 3 - 1 MD/PhD from UChicago, 1 MD/PhD from Stanford, 1 MD from Columbia

Penn - took 4 - 1 MD/PhD from UIChampaign, 1 MD/PhD from Vandy, 1 MD from Penn, 1 MD from Brown

Chicago - took 3, 1 from Chicago, 1 MD/PhD from Albert Einstein, ...

UCSF - took 3, 1 MD from Michigan, 1 from UCSF, ...

UCLA - took 2 - 1 MD/PhD from NYU, 1 MD from UCSF

WashU - took 4, 1 from UTM, 1 MD from WashU, 1 MD/PhD from UCI, ...

Michigan - took 2 - 1 MD from Penn, ...

UAB - took 2 - 1 MD UAB, 1 MD/PhD from Michigan

Vanderbilt - took 4 - 1 MD/PhD from Vandy, 1 MD/PhD from UTSW, 1 MD/PhD from Miami, 1 MD/PhD from Howard

Hopkins - took 3, 1 MD/PhD from Hopkins, 1 MD from Hopkins, 1 MD from Tulane

Duke - 1 MD from Harvard

Yale - took 3, 1 MD from Columbia...

Columbia - took 2, 1 from UCSF, 1 MD from NEOUCOM

NYU - took 1, 1 MD/PhD from NYU

USC - took 1, 1 from Albert Einstein

UC Davis - took 2, 1 MD from USC, 1 MD/PhD from NY Medical

Fox Chase- took 2, 1 MD/PhD from Cornell, 1 DO/PhD from KCUMB-COM

 

[kimplera]

MD Anderson - took 6, 1 MD/PhD from Vandy, 1 MD/PhD from Albert Einstein, 1 MD/PhD from Northwestern, 1 from Mayo, 1 from Emory, 1 MD/PhD from Duke

MSKCC - took 4, 2 MD from Cornell, 1 MD from harvard, 1 MD from Germany

Harvard - took 7 - 2 MD/PhD from Hopkins, 1 MD/PhD from Duke, 1 MD/PhD from Harvard, 1 MD from Harvard, 1 MD from Penn, 1 MD from Columbia

Stanford - took 3 - 1 MD/PhD from UChicago, 1 MD/PhD from Stanford, 1 MD from Columbia

Penn - took 4 - 1 MD/PhD from UIChampaign, 1 MD/PhD from Vandy, 1 MD from Penn, 1 MD from Brown

Chicago - took 3, 1 from Chicago, 1 MD/PhD from Albert Einstein, ...

UCSF - took 3, 1 MD from Michigan, 1 from UCSF, ...

UCLA - took 2 - 1 MD/PhD from NYU, 1 MD from UCSF

WashU - took 4, 1 from UTM, 1 MD from WashU, 1 MD/PhD from UCI, ...

Michigan - took 2 - 1 MD from Penn, ...

UAB - took 2 - 1 MD UAB, 1 MD/PhD from Michigan

Vanderbilt - took 4 - 1 MD/PhD from Vandy, 1 MD/PhD from UTSW, 1 MD/PhD from Miami, 1 MD/PhD from Howard

Hopkins - took 3, 1 MD/PhD from Hopkins, 1 MD from Hopkins, 1 MD from Tulane

UNC - 1 MD from Indiana, 1 MD/PhD from UNC

Duke - 1 MD from Harvard

Yale - took 3, 1 MD from Columbia...

Columbia - took 2, 1 from UCSF, 1 MD from NEOUCOM

NYU - took 1, 1 MD/PhD from NYU

USC - took 1, 1 from Albert Einstein

UC Davis - took 2, 1 MD from USC, 1 MD/PhD from NY Medical

Fox Chase- took 2, 1 MD/PhD from Cornell, 1 DO/PhD from KCUMB-COM

 

[trjb]

I've noticed while reading through other threads that there are some posters who matched this year but have not posted their stats. If you do not mind, please consider posting. It really does help out.

 

[COhiker]

At risk of losing what minimal anonymity this site offers here goes:

Matched this year (04/05)
-Board Scores: 261 on both – if nothing else, I represent the rule that no matter how hard or little you study for the boards, you get the same score on both
-Degree: MD
-AOA and class rank: not AOA, top 20% of class
-Reputation of medical school: top 10
-Research: one year (out from school) of funded clinical and translational in rad onc at home institution. First author on a few papers in rad onc (1 real paper, several reviews)
-Honors in clerkships: core: med, surgery, neuro, ob; electives: cardiology, renal, med-subI, rad onc, med onc, pulm
-# and where you did away rotations: 1 month at MGH, 1 month at UCSF
-# of programs you applied to: 22
-Where invited for interviews: 19 (rejected from MDA, Colorado, MSKCC)
-Where matched: Harvard
-Anything that helped your app:
Several things really helped my not overtly strong application (no extra degree, not stellar grades, no outstanding pubs…). Most importantly was that right before submitting my ERAS application, I decided to take the advice I had been given from several fronts and ask one of the “big names” in the field to write me a letter or rec. I hadn’t wanted to because although I spent a year in the department doing research (and going to conference etc), I hadn’t really worked directly with him. I went into the process believing that it should be “pure” (i.e. only ask people who really know you for letters etc). In retrospect, I believe that letter (which happened to be flattering) opened more doors for me than any other single thing. In a process filled with serendipitous events, this was by far the most important. [I got this impression because most every interviewer wanted to talk about this letter writer – this goes back to an essential point made elsewhere: this is a small (and gossipy) field]

The year of research in the field was probably also helpful as was a strong letter from a great mentor (also in the field). Reputation of the med school and rad onc department might have helped some.

Away rotations were key – clearly. Our med school is very much against aways (“you can only look worse in person than you do on paper”) but for such a small field where personality matters, it’s silly not to let people get to know you.

Finally, in February and March when the real politics began, I decided to play it straight and tell everyone the truth. I don’t mean to make myself out to be some angel though; my reading of the cards suggested that this was my best (and perhaps only) strategy. For those of you who are thinking of applying, don’t underestimate this final component of the application process. Chairs are calling one another to see where students are really going and it behooves you to make everyone aware of your intentions.

Though I won’t list the interview as being “particularly helpful,” I will say that it was as helpful as it has been made out to be elsewhere on this board. Everyone who gets an interview is afforded the same opportunity – take advantage of it.

 

[stephew]

i think cohikers point that away rotatinos may place a key role is, well, key. Any place that says you can only look better on paper than in person is trlling you one of two things; 1) you may be someone who has a better profile than a personal impression or 2) they don't know what they're talking about. Nothing makes a program happier than taking a candidate they know and like. its like leasing before buying. Its up to you to be honest and figure out which it is.

 

[Gfunk6]

Several things really helped my not overtly strong application (no extra degree, not stellar grades, no outstanding pubs…).

😱 . . . not overtly strong???

Well, you do have humility, I'll give you that. 😀

 

[stephew]

😱 . . . not overtly strong???

Well, you do have humility, I'll give you that. 😀

🙂

 

[radonculus]

My stats were modest by todays standards Step 1 217/Step II 221, top 1/3 of a very below average medical school; 2 small publications, applied 50 programs offered 7 interviews. However, I was able to do 4 electives in radiation oncology. I planned this by performing a research elective Radiation Oncology/Clinical Radiation Oncology electives at the same institution for a combined 8 weeks in July/August followed by clinical electives in January and February. I started this process a good six months prior in order to file all the necessary paperwork. I stayed later than most residents, completed my dictations in a timely matter, researched my patients prior to their visit and completed a very thorough talk on my last day. I think the chairman was impressed with my effort and dedication which only enhanced my application. I later found out that he actually took parts of my talk for one of his presentations on the same subject. Additionally, I gave the same talk at all three institutions. My application stood out because of my away electives with three outstanding letters of recommendation. That particular chairman emailed/phoned my number one choice on my behalf. I think I succesfully matched in radiation oncology because of my away electives. When arranging your electives research the institution/individuals you are working with. Arrange face time with the chairman. I called the chief residents at all the institution for which I rotated to see whether or not that chairperson would be there during my rotation. My February elective was very helpful in that it was a month where there was less competition from other students for completing an elective. The chairman at my last elective called on my behalf as well. During the interview process be humble and yourself. This is one of the most important aspects of the application. During this past year I met several of the candidates at my institution. Each one equally amazing. My chairman even said he dosen't think he would have matched in these competitive times. We simply wanted to meet people that we could work with for the next few years. I hope this helps.

 

[Ottercreek]

I hope this helps.

This really exemplifies the profound importance of networking in the radonc field in order to have a chance of matching. Of course numbers are crucial, but this field requires that extra effort in forming relationships with the powers that be early on in Medical School.

I have a question (I'm soon to be an M2): Are the away electives competitive? Is it hard to secure an externship at some of the better programs?

Thanks.

 

[Gfunk6]

I have a question (I'm soon to be an M2): Are the away electives competitive? Is it hard to secure an externship at some of the better programs?

While a few externships are on a competitive basis, the majority are simply first-come, first-served (my experience). Therefore, apply as early as you possibly can (generally ~April of the year prior to your Match). At this time, schools usually allow rising seniors to choose their fourth year electives and sub-I's.

At the more competitive programs, more people apply and your chances of getting an externships during the "peak" months of July-October are reduced.

 

[Radonkey]

UCSF - took 3, 1 MD from Michigan, 1 from UCSF, ...

...AND 1 MD from Drexel