Potential Med Student

[Mulletfluf]

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Let me preface this post by saying that I have been a long time reader but have posted/responded very little. I think many of the members here have great insight and I respect everyones opinion deeply. Also, I have experience within radiation oncology and would love to continue my education within the field. I am a radiation therapist and currently training to be a medical dosimetrist (ojt - only because the degree programs in dos. are few and far between)

I am applying for med school admission this year and I have had moderate success. I have had 5 interviews all of which I am waiting to hear back from. Ideally I would love to continue on into radiation oncology, so I would like to position myself to obtain a residency should I get into medical school.

Does the medical school you attend play any role in obtaining a residency (speaking of US allopathic schools only)? The schools I have interviewed at are good schools, but by no means top tier. Should I not get in this year, I would be happy pursuing a masters in medical physics or radiobiology. In my opinion the benefit would be two fold, one I would show my continued interest in medicine/education and may help in gaining admission to a higher tier med school, and two should I eventually get into medical school it may help with a rad onc. residency. Thoughts?

Lastly, I have searched on end for radiobiology programs but I have found very little. Anyone else have any insight? Thanks

 

[Don'tbeagunner]

Are you kidding me?

 

[IndyXRT]

It depends on the program, but being in a top tier medical school is not necessary to obtain a residency position in radiation oncology. Doing well in the school you do go to will be essential. Research in radiation oncology or related fields (e.g. radiobiology) is helpful. Unfortunately, I don't know of any radiobiology programs (not that there aren't any, I've just never looked into it). If you're really interested in doing this, find an academic radiobiologist (connected to any academic radiation oncology program and probably listed on their web site) and ask them about it. If you do get in to medical school this year and you are interested in research, you should get in contact with someone in the radiation oncology program at that school to explore research options. Then work as hard as you can to get an excellent step I score (this will make your life much easier when applying).

Now, I'm not trying to represent these things as the only way to get to radiation oncology residency (nor the only important things to consider). I do think they would be helpful, though. Best of luck!