radiology question

[dodo24]

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HI I have a very general question about osteopathic radiology programs. What is the minium score a person needs to have any chance. I know this is a bad question considering there are other things involved with the selection process for radiology but im just really confused, i have been hearing allot of the numbers that vary allot from different people. if someone can please let me knwo what they think or what they have seen that would be greatly appreciated. thanks in advance

 

[matteaton81]

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HI I have a very general question about osteopathic radiology programs. What is the minium score a person needs to have any chance. I know this is a bad question considering there are other things involved with the selection process for radiology but im just really confused, i have been hearing allot of the numbers that vary allot from different people. if someone can please let me knwo what they think or what they have seen that would be greatly appreciated. thanks in advance

I have heard at least one person say you need a board score of over 200, which sounds high (I am not exactly sure how the boards are scored). You can bet, though, that factors such as med school grades and research related to the field that you have completed will also be taken into consideration.

 

[babyruth]

You most likely need to be in the 80-90th or above percentile. The COMLEX is scored out of 800, but scoring above ~650 would put you right in that range.

They also look at class rank. Let me know if anyone thinks different. It also helps to do a rotation at that program and let them see your face. (This would allow you to have a potentially lower score and have more of a chance of getting in, because that is important.)

I think there are 11 radiology AOA approved programs, I beleive...

 

[ericdopt]

You most likely need to be in the 80-90th or above percentile. The COMLEX is scored out of 800, but scoring above ~650 would put you right in that range.

They also look at class rank. Let me know if anyone thinks different. It also helps to do a rotation at that program and let them see your face. (This would allow you to have a potentially lower score and have more of a chance of getting in, because that is important.)

I think there are 11 radiology AOA approved programs, I beleive...

Let's see if I can clarify some misconceptions about Radiology:

Myth: You need to be in the >95th percentile on COMLEX= False. Yes, all programs have a cut-off, but I don't know what that is. My best guess is that you need to be above the 80th percentile.

Myth: You need a >650 board score= False. Again, my best guess is >600 is competitive.

Fact: Grades count!
Fact: Interviews are HUGE!!! Do well, and this can make up for not doing a rotation at that specific hospital during your clinicals.

Fact: Do a rotation at the hospital you want to go to. It is absolutely important to do this. I found out the hard way. Lots of DO programs pick only from people who have rotated at that institution.

Fact: Looking interested, arriving early and staying late make you look like you are intersted in the field and not there because you "want an easy lifestyle". On the other hand, do be annoying. Leave when they tell you and don't try to kiss the a$$ of the interns/residents. We do not have much say.

Yes, I am in a Radiology program and love it.

Myth: Rads is easy=False. My hours will be longer (I am an intern, I will not tell where however!) than most of my friends who are in IM.

Myth: Rads makes a crap load of money. While some info out there makes is seem that way, trust me when I say that these are the exceptions...and let's not forget about the pending reimbursement cuts for Rads studies. In 5 years, I expect the salaries to be cut by 1/2 at least.

Good luck to all intersted in Rads.

 

[ericdopt]

Oh, also...TAKE THE USMLE!!!
Many DO's don't. It helped allopathic programs compare me to my MD brethren duing interviews. And, NO the new 2 score conversion is NOT the same. The USMLE and COMLEX are completely different exams!!!

COMLEX= Lots of OMM questions and more clinically relevant

USMLE= Better written, less ambiguity, more esoteric and more research based.

The above statements are just my humble opinion (as opposed to anyone elses ).

 

[beastmaster]

Myth: Rads makes a crap load of money. While some info out there makes is seem that way, trust me when I say that these are the exceptions...and let's not forget about the pending reimbursement cuts for Rads studies. In 5 years, I expect the salaries to be cut by 1/2 at least.

Hehe... this is always a good scare tactic to weed out the uncommitted. Tell them that huge salary cuts are up ahead. Too bad the statistics don't support this nonsense.

 

[ericdopt]

Hehe... this is always a good scare tactic to weed out the uncommitted. Tell them that huge salary cuts are up ahead. Too bad the statistics don't support this nonsense.

? Actually dude, you are very uninformed. We just received word (in my residency program) that medicare was going to cut reimbursements for studies by as much as 60%. Where medicare goes, so does the rest of the US insurance payments.

Weed out the uncommitted No need to. There are plenty of other ways to do this rather than use "scare tactics".

 

[r90t]

If you really want to be a radiologist, apply to MD and DO. MD has many more spots than the DO programs.

If you a an average medical school, i.e. middle of the class, you will have problems unless you do something to really stand out, i.e. publish something in a name brand journal.