Realizing radiology was for me last minute..should I even apply?

[Lucite]

So here's a little bit about my story. I was initially going into Surgery, after my SUBI, I realized it wasn't for me and didnt fit my personality. I'm a female and would like to enjoy my time off when I have kids. Maybe I was deluding myself the entire time and liked "being in the OR" because I hated clinic so much, but I realized that this was not the best thought process since there are plenty of fields that dont require clinic or OR...

So I'm finishing my Radiology elective which actually was just an filler course that I could take during working on my apps. I've really liked radiology so far and I feel very differently towards it in comparison to the other fields I've explored. Kind of depressed that I've figured out all this so late in the game, but..

My stats:
Top 25 med school
Rank is around 3rd tier, honored or high passed all clerkships, have all positive comments for MSPE, no red flags except...
Step 1: 206, Step 2: 224
Decent ECs, a few posters and abstracts but no radiology research.

I feel like if I knew I was going into something competitive, yeah maybe I would be a better applicant, who knows. I worked my ass off 3rd year to prove that I'm not a *****. My step 1 can't be helped, I had a family illness and I am close to my family/live far from home so it was difficult to cope. In retrospect, yeah I should have not set foot into that testing site to take the step 1. Any way, just wanted to explain because I know radiology residency is brutal in the depth of knowledge one must have and I am capable of mastering it. I don't plan to mention in PS or during interviews the low step 1 because I don't want to sound like a whiner because there are other ppl who go through med school and go through tougher situations, I'm sure.

Any advice would be helpful! THANK YOU.

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[Adam638]

You may have a chance at a lower-tier community program, but your Step 1 score and lack of research is going to hurt you at academic institutions in the initial screening process. Your Step 2 is better, but not impressive. Radiology tends to place more emphasis on Step 1 anyways. 3rd year grades should help you if you can get passed the initial "cut". Check out Charting Outcomes in the Match for more detailed information on applicants with similar stats (36 matched, 24 didn't in applicants who had a Step 1 score similar to you). If you want to go to a university-based program, I suggest taking a year off and doing some research. There is always a chance you could match, but it will be a challenge and most likely a community-program. Good luck.

 

[medsend]

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[drizzt3117]

yikes. thanks for your reply. just looked at charting outcomes, with my score I have a 60-70% chance of matching on step 1 basis..oh boy...

In your case, year of research seems like a good plan, or applying to basically every program in the bottom 1/2 (like 60-80 programs)

 

[Radiculous]

In your case, year of research seems like a good plan, or applying to basically every program in the bottom 1/2 (like 60-80

This.
Consider targeted away rotations at lower tier programs in your region, shine on those.
Being a girl and top 25 med amg will drfinitely help. If you pan-apply the lower 1/2 of programs, get good letters, hopefully have research to talk about, network, it is definitely doable. Consider taking a year to do research and strengthen your application in these ways.

 

[PokerDoc]

In your case, year of research seems like a good plan, or applying to basically every program in the bottom 1/2 (like 60-80

This.
Consider targeted away rotations at lower tier programs in your region, shine on those.
Being a girl and top 25 med amg will drfinitely help. If you pan-apply the lower 1/2 of programs, get good letters, hopefully have research to talk about, network, it is definitely doable. Consider taking a year to do research and strengthen your application in these ways.

How do you figure out what programs are "lower 1/2"?

 

[drizzt3117]

How do you figure out what programs are "lower 1/2"?

Most community programs will be lower 1/2, and university programs that aren't research powerhouses located in less desirable areas.

 

[nightflight]

Definitely you will match. The job market is horrible. Radiology is getting less competitive year after year. I predict in this match the number of positions will be more than the number of applicants. Even in the last year's match there was 43 open spots. that means a lot. Do it only if you like to do another residency after 7 years of mental torture.