Some questions from newbie

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isuru

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Hi everyone, my first post on this Forum.

I am a first year medicine student studying in Australia. I have an interest in going into Radiology as a future career. Now you may think, that I'm only in first year, I will probably change my mind about what career I want to pursue about a thousand times over the next six years. You are probably right 🙂. But at the moment I'm excited about Radiology, so I might as well get to know more about it before my interest wanes. I think one of the main reasons I am interested in Radiology is that it is on the cutting edge of technology and I have a keen interest for Computers and Technology. I did a lot of stuff with computer programming, imaging and 3D modelling in my spare time (yes, you can laugh at me) when I was at school. So that is why I am interested in Radiology.

So I've got a few questions about the profession and I would greatly appreciate any input:

1)
(a)Having read through a few threads on SDN, it seems that Radiology is highly recommended as a career. Now that leads me to think that it is probably the most competitive or one of the most competitive fields to get into? is this correct?

(b) can any current radiologists enlighten me on the kind of grades required to enter the field of radiology?

(c)also do you think that the grades required will vary greatly from the US to Australia?

(d)are these even reasonable questions to ask (sorry I really am a newbie)? or is it impossible to compare grades?

2)
(a) Does anyone know how much grades from each year of med school count when applying for residency?

(b)Do all years count equally? I have heard that sixth year counts more than first year? this seems logical, but does anyone know what kind of percentages each year counts for? or have any general ideas about proportions that each year counts for?

(c)Generally speaking, do different specialities count different proportions of each year? so radiology might count 6th year as 30% whereas another specialty will count 6th year as 45%? is this the case, or is it basically the same for most specialties?
(This is question geared more towards those from Australia as I assume the systems are slightly different in Australia and the US, but any input is greatly appreciated. )

I realise that this is a very long post and that I have asked a lot of questions. Also, I am newbie to a lot of this, so if I have asked some stupid questions, please bear with me and let me know. I would ge very greatful if you could answer just one of the questions. Also, any input from Australian radilogists would be very valuable as I don't think I would be able to afford to go overseas.

Thank you very much for your time.
Isuru
 
Anyone?

Does anyone have any answers or even comments on what I posted above? even if it is only a small part, it would be appreciated.

Thanks
Isuru
 
Can't tell you much about australia since I'm not there.

While radiology does come with a good salary and working hours there is also a stigma around it. First you don't get a whole lot of patient contact if you're reading films. This is a big turn off for a lot of my friends. Secondly a lot of other physicians look at radiologists as not being at the heart of medicine and think they are lazy. (which is far from the truth if you ever talk to any radiologist)

This causes radiology to drop down and not be the most competetive field althought it has been trending towards becoming more and more competetive.

Generally programs care the most about clinical grades.

My advice to you would be to set your goals high. To me anytime someone starts to ask about grades before they get them it means they're setting goals for themselves. Go for the hardest thing you can imagine, neurosurgery or something. Then when the time comes to pick a field you'll have your choice of anything you want to do.
 
Hey man,

I'm in Tas, where are you?

About Radiology in Australia it's a completely different process then in the US...

As you know there are no standarised tests that we have to take, and therefore there is no marking system that they can really base their decisions on.

What you have to do is do well on your internship and then try and do well on your interview when you are apply for a specialty...

Marks don't mean jack in Australia...only interviews and recommendations.
 
Originally posted by redshifteffect
Hey man,

I'm in Tas, where are you?

About Radiology in Australia it's a completely different process then in the US...

As you know there are no standarised tests that we have to take, and therefore there is no marking system that they can really base their decisions on.

What you have to do is do well on your internship and then try and do well on your interview when you are apply for a specialty...

Marks don't mean jack in Australia...only interviews and recommendations.

Hey. Thanks for the reply.
Yeah I'm also in Tassie. First year med at UTAS.

What year are you?

(Wow, didn't think I'd actually find anyone from Tassie on this forum, but there ya go 🙂)
 
Originally posted by Hendooneh
My advice to you would be to set your goals high. To me anytime someone starts to ask about grades before they get them it means they're setting goals for themselves. Go for the hardest thing you can imagine, neurosurgery or something. Then when the time comes to pick a field you'll have your choice of anything you want to do.
Yep, good point, thanks 🙂.
 
Originally posted by isuru
Hey. Thanks for the reply.
Yeah I'm also in Tassie. First year med at UTAS.

What year are you?

(Wow, didn't think I'd actually find anyone from Tassie on this forum, but there ya go 🙂)

JEEZ...this is really weird!! Anyway I'm in 2nd year...good luck on your human bio exams...

R u an international student? because if you are the situation is a bit different...send me a PM with your email and we can chat.

later.
 
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