Sub-I

[shilgy]

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Hi all,
I am a FMG from Israel and I am interested in Radiation Oncology (class of 2013). I have 240 on step 1 and some nice research (in Interventional Radiology but with some Radon overlap, and a lot of cardiology research, and I hope to begin some Radon research soon).

Next year I am spending 4 months in the US to do 4 rotations (1 must be a Sub-I). Do people interested in Radiation Oncology do their Sub-I in Radiation oncology or do they do them in Internal Med? Also, I have an opportunity to do 1 of my electives as a research elective. i know that I would be able to do this research at a top institution -- Would this help my chances for matching? OR would it be better to do another elective in Radon? If I am already asking, do you think as a FMG I have a chance at matching?

Thanks for your time

 

[Carotenoid]

I don't know about other med schools - but in my med school you can only do Sub-I in Internal Med, Peds, or Surgery. Many people going into Rad Onc will do Internal Med Sub-I (but I have heard convincing arguments in favor of doing surgical Sub-I instead). Rad Onc is mostly relegated to electives.
Regarding your research elective - if it's a top institution, they likely have rad onc there - could you do a month of rad onc research? that would be an amazing combo. Rad-onc-specific research is key (to my dismay,during this residency interview season I discovered that even having a basic life sciences PhD doesn't matter unless that PhD research was somehow rad onc or cancer-related). Do a month of rad onc research.
As I am only a humble applicant myself, I would take what I say below with a grain of salt. On the interview trail, I have not met a single FMG (but I certainly haven't met all the applicants!) That tells me that the road for an FMG is probably harder than for a US-bred applicant. However, I strongly doubt that just being an FMG automatically disqualifies you from matching! Clearly, you are motivated and thinking ahead. Use your time in the US wisely, NETWORK like crazy, do as much Rad Onc as you can (publish, publish if possible) - and I think you have a good chance, I really do (I think rad onc PDs/attendings are more flexible than in other specialties, and do look at applicants as a whole package).

best of luck

 

[shilgy]

thanks so much for your input! I really appreciate it. Goodluck matching, I am sure you will do well