Rad-onc Or Any Competitive Residency

[buffettfan]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I know this is one of the hardest residencies to place into because the number of spots but I guess in general, if I was interested in Rad-Onc or any other really competitive residency....what are the steps to start taking from the start of M1? I am sure one needs to do some research so I was wondering do most folks do related research the first summer after first year? Or do some people do it thru-out the first year. Just looking for some insight. Thanks

 

[Long Dong]

You might wanna try the rad onc forum. There are alot people on that forum who can give good advice or you can read the FAQ.

 

[soeagerun2or]

I know this is one of the hardest residencies to place into because the number of spots but I guess in general, if I was interested in Rad-Onc or any other really competitive residency....what are the steps to start taking from the start of M1? I am sure one needs to do some research so I was wondering do most folks do related research the first summer after first year? Or do some people do it thru-out the first year. Just looking for some insight. Thanks

I always recommend seeing if you can pass your first quiz/exam. If that works then see how much free time you have.

 

[Law2Doc]

I always recommend seeing if you can pass your first quiz/exam.

Agree. You have no sense of how much time you are going to need to devote purely to classes until you start, so no point figuring out the stuff you should be doing on the side until you get your stride. Plus, a big chunk of the class is going to have to realize that they are unlikely to be in the running for the competitive specialties once they see that they are no longer the "A" student they were in college. Everyone shows up to med school thinking they are top of the heap but half graduate in the bottom half of their class. So some people start off with dreams of top specialties but by the end a handful are just hoping to pass everything.

Also it pays to keep an open mind. You (OP) haven't likely seen much so you shouldn't want to do a residency just because it is competitive. You need to see more and decide what you would enjoy doing for the next 45+ years of your life. Something that sounds cool in the abstract may not be all that much fun when you get there.

 

[MadameLULU]

Wait until you receive your grade from a couple quizzes and tests. Then make an appointment to meet with someone from the Rad-onc department at your school to shadow them and see what the field is like. Perhaps that person can serve as a mentor, if you really are considering Rad onc

 

[Tiger26]

Agreed, passing the first exam is key. When I failed our first biochem exam (1/2 class did too and I eventually high passed the class), I pretty much crossed off anything like integrated plastics off my list.