Radiology application question (# applications, etc.)

[bigfrank]

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Dear SDN friends,

I am an M-3 who has recently decided to pursue a radiology residency. I have fairly good stats (2XX Step I, XXXXXX in Medicine/Surgery/FP so far, no word on AOA yet) and have done some non-radiology research (1 summer).

I am in the midwest and would like to remain there. Does anyone have a "pulse" in regards to the number of applications I should submit and how many interviews I should accept to be considered a "safe match"?

Any feedback or help would be greatly appreciated. I think this field is fascinating and I am excited at the prospects of matching.

Finally, any comments on midwestern programs would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

 

[scootad.]

dont know much about midwestern programs but come on now. you'll do just fine. if you are geographically restricted to the midwest you could be reasonably safe in applying to 15-20 places but always include a few safety community programs. i dont think you will have any problems matching at a top midwest academic program as long as you dont come across too stuck up at the interviews. your step 1 is phenomenal (as you very well know). we know how much you crave this praise

but really, first anesthesia, now rads. we all know you will end up dermatologically pleasing with the rest of yer kind. 😉

 

[UnderDoc]

As a radiology-bound MS4 with pretty much identical stats to yours, my experience with interviews has yielded the following:

-Applied to 24 programs, 90% in northeast (where I'm from and would like to remain)
-Approximately 10 of the programs considered "top-tier" university
-The remainder are split between "mid-tier" university and community programs
-Rejected for interview from five of the "top" programs and four of the "mid" and community programs
-Left with a total of 15 interviews

Word on the street is that ten interviews will almost certainly land you a spot in the field. If you're aiming for research-centric residencies, then start trying to beef up your CV with publications ASAP. High board scores and clinical honors are not in themselves sufficient, especially if you are not hailing from a big-name medical school.

Best of luck with the match.

 

[bigfrank]

Thanks UnderDoc!! Your story is encouraging. I wish you much luck in the match.

 

[Rod Farva]

As a radiology-bound MS4 with pretty much identical stats to yours, my experience with interviews has yielded the following:

-Applied to 24 programs, 90% in northeast (where I'm from and would like to remain)
-Approximately 10 of the programs considered "top-tier" university
-The remainder are split between "mid-tier" university and community programs
-Rejected for interview from five of the "top" programs and four of the "mid" and community programs
-Left with a total of 15 interviews

Word on the street is that ten interviews will almost certainly land you a spot in the field. If you're aiming for research-centric residencies, then start trying to beef up your CV with publications ASAP. High board scores and clinical honors are not in themselves sufficient, especially if you are not hailing from a big-name medical school.

Best of luck with the match.

What if you're not aiming for a research-centered residency? Do you still need research, or can you cut it with board scores and not being a mutant on the interview?

 

[KerleyB]

Easy Farva, take a deep breath and count to ten.

If you have good boards/clinical grades, and good letters you can get interviews at big academic centers or less research oriented places, without any research at all. Probably a good idea to act interested in doing some sort of research in your interviews at either type of place though - it shows that you have academic curiosity in the field etc.

My story is big boards, good letters and clinicals w/o any shred of research and I got interviews at the majority of the big name places I applied to. I would say interview selection is less stringent at less academic institutions so.... you should be golden if thats your goal. Good luck!

 

[Rod Farva]

Easy Farva, take a deep breath and count to ten.

If you have good boards/clinical grades, and good letters you can get interviews at big academic centers or less research oriented places, without any research at all. Probably a good idea to act interested in doing some sort of research in your interviews at either type of place though - it shows that you have academic curiosity in the field etc.

My story is big boards, good letters and clinicals w/o any shred of research and I got interviews at the majority of the big name places I applied to. I would say interview selection is less stringent at less academic institutions so.... you should be golden if thats your goal. Good luck!

No, I'm hyperventilating and need to know NOW! I won't stop freaking out until March 2006. Now I need to start studying for physics boards, so I'm logging off.

 

[wannaberad]

What about high board scores with a publication but undistinguished clinical grades? No-name medical school. Top stuff's out of reach but how much geographical freedom do I have?

 

[KerleyB]

What about high board scores with a publication but undistinguished clinical grades? No-name medical school. Top stuff's out of reach but how much geographical freedom do I have?

Honestly hard to say. The general consensus is that radiology programs tend to be pretty regionally biased - ie. you have to be fairly spectacular on paper to get a west coast position from the midwest. However, the best thing to do is bring your app to the PD at your institution, and ask them to honestly evaluate it. They see piles of these things every year.

In the end, if you are not sure, just apply very broadly and then you will know - it will just cost you some extra $. Good luck!

 

[wannaberad]

Does it work conversely? I mean, I assume it's easier to get a midwest/south position from the east or west coasts than vice versa because there are fewer applicants...it seems like people are willing to go to a lot of trouble to live in or near large urban areas.

Hmmm...maybe doctors like blue states for some reason? Funny...most of the ones I've met have been Republican!

 

[ginger_flower]

dude, I don't even want to know what kind of slim chances I have with mediocre board scores, passes so far clinically, and a non-rads publication that is yet to be submitted for publication from an unknown east coast school. I guess California is out now! 🙁

 

[Pinkertinkle]

If someone wants to match into rads residency in California, would they have a greater chance coming from an average instate school (i.e. UC Irvine) or a bigger name out of state (e.g. Wash U) with all else being equal?

 

[Whodathunkit]

but really, first anesthesia, now rads. we all know you will end up dermatologically pleasing with the rest of yer kind. 😉

He used to want to do PM&R back in the day. I guess the better his grades got the more earning potential he wanted.

I hear Plastics pays pretty well...

 

[bigfrank]

He used to want to do PM&R back in the day. I guess the better his grades got the more earning potential he wanted.

I hear Plastics pays pretty well...

The [jealous] stalkers come out of the woodwork and are heard to mutter, "How dare he consider all fields of medicine -- the nerve..."

P.S. Whodathunkit, I enjoyed the whiney thread that you started on how pediatricians should get paid more money and that we could/should have fewer dermatologists. Are you projecting onto me?
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=90017

 

[peehdee]

what is "2XX"

Does it mean over 200? If so that could be anywhere from 200 to 280.

??????????????????

Dear SDN friends,

I am an M-3 who has recently decided to pursue a radiology residency. I have fairly good stats (2XX Step I, XXXXXX in Medicine/Surgery/FP so far, no word on AOA yet) and have done some non-radiology research (1 summer).

I am in the midwest and would like to remain there. Does anyone have a "pulse" in regards to the number of applications I should submit and how many interviews I should accept to be considered a "safe match"?

Any feedback or help would be greatly appreciated. I think this field is fascinating and I am excited at the prospects of matching.

Finally, any comments on midwestern programs would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

 

[Whodathunkit]

The [jealous] stalkers come out of the woodwork and are heard to mutter, "How dare he consider all fields of medicine -- the nerve..."

P.S. Whodathunkit, I enjoyed the whiney thread that you started on how pediatricians should get paid more money and that we could/should have fewer dermatologists. Are you projecting onto me?
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=90017

actually...I enjoy the fact that you remember my threads...THANKS! Did you contribute?



We should all be so happy that you didn't go into FP or PM&R or Peds...after all...if you're in it just for the money, those fields would leave you sorely dissatisfied.

Please let radiology pick you. I'd hate to think that you'd have to end up scrambling into FP....OH THE HORROR OF IT ALL!!! 😱 The meager living you'd make...

GOOD LUCK IN THE MATCH!

Edited to add that I don't remember posting that there should be fewer dermatologists...just better reimbursement for pediatricians. You must have scored super high on the verbal section of your MCATS. I think people should remind you that in order to do well in radiology you have to do lots of independent reading...and understanding 😉

 

[bigfrank]

actually...I enjoy the fact that you remember my threads...THANKS! Did you contribute?

We should all be so happy that you didn't go into FP or PM&R or Peds...after all...if you're in it just for the money, those fields would leave you sorely dissatisfied.

Please let radiology pick you. I'd hate to think that you'd have to end up scrambling into FP....OH THE HORROR OF IT ALL!!! 😱 The meager living you'd make...

GOOD LUCK IN THE MATCH!

Edited to add that I don't remember posting that there should be fewer dermatologists...just better reimbursement for pediatricians. You must have scored super high on the verbal section of your MCATS. I think people should remind you that in order to do well in radiology you have to do lots of independent reading...and understanding 😉

I'm sorry that I invoke such rage in you --- aaaaaaah, the emotion! 😀

P.S. I'll plan on doing "lots" of reading. 😉

 

[Willard]

I liked it better when you were continually saying "Merry Christmas." Very festive.

 

[bigfrank]

I aim to please. 😉

 

[p53]

Dear SDN friends,

I am an M-3 who has recently decided to pursue a radiology residency. I have fairly good stats (2XX Step I, XXXXXX in Medicine/Surgery/FP so far, no word on AOA yet) and have done some non-radiology research (1 summer).

I am in the midwest and would like to remain there. Does anyone have a "pulse" in regards to the number of applications I should submit and how many interviews I should accept to be considered a "safe match"?

Any feedback or help would be greatly appreciated. I think this field is fascinating and I am excited at the prospects of matching.

Finally, any comments on midwestern programs would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

The Secret is out.