Too Late to Switch to Radiology? Need help!

[zoidberg925]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hi all! I am a MS4 who, after doing nothing but neurology rotations so far fourth year, decided that radiology was for him. This is AFTER applying and interviewing for neurology positions. I realize that it is too late this year to apply to radiology, and the pd here recommends graduating and applying to radiology from a preliminary program next year. I am AOA, Step 1 = low 250's, Step 2 = low 260's, top 5 % of class. Has anyone done this (with success!)? Would it better to attempt to defer graduation for a year and reapply (do MBA, research, etc)? Can anyone recommend any rads research projects?

Thank you for any and all help!

 

[lokobo]

you're best bet is to talk to your home program's program director and see if they can arrange anything for you, or see if he can call some other program directors and tell them about you

 

[zoidberg925]

Thank you for your response.

In the event that opportunity does not present itself, whats second best? Can you apply for radiology positions through the match as an intern?

 

[Wrigleyville]

With your stats you'd be competitive for great university programs. I don't know if you'll be able to get those same quality of residency positions if you apply as an intern for spots that would start immediately following your internship. Those are generally spots that opened up for some reason, and are probably not going to be at fantastic places. They may not even be through the match. Sometimes you see them posted on auntminnie.com.

I'd go talk to your local radiology residency director as mentioned above. He/she would know more about the process.

 

[lokobo]

Thank you for your response.

In the event that opportunity does not present itself, whats second best? Can you apply for radiology positions through the match as an intern?

have you heard about the VIR DIRECT pathway?

http://www.theabr.org/VIR_DIRECT.htm

 

[trotter]

I would think that pulling out of the match this year and delaying your graduation would be a good option. You could pursue an MBA, a research project, or anything else you think is worthwhile. I delayed my graduation for a number of reasons, and it hasn't hurt me one bit applying to rads this year. I have similar stats to yours.

By delaying your graduation you won't limit yourself to programs that happen to have openings to fill like you might if you were applying as an intern. You'd be able to have your ducks in a row next year, applying early and inteviewing at numerous places.

good luck...

 

[zoidberg925]

Thank you all for your input!

If I wind up doing the prelim year and applying, would I have to find an open PGY-2 position in radiology? Oppositely, could I reapply through the match for all open positions (i.e and have to do research/moonlight for the year in between prelim and start of rads)?

 

[ScooterBanks]

I would go ahead and get your prelim med/ty intern year over with. It is a pointless, miseable experience and there is no point delaying it. Take the year off between PGY1 and PGY2 off instead of next year. Besides getting it over with, other benefits would be 1) you could take step 3 and apply for a state medical license, therefore opening up moonlighting opportunities for income during the year off, 2) you won't be burned out and tired of working with your rads training starts and you'll have a whole year off to rest and read prior to starting, putting you much ahead in the game, and 3) you could talk to PDs during your intern year to see if a PGY2 rads spot opens up during the year at a program you were interested in.

 

[cliffhanger]

I'm not entirely sure how to arrange all this, but I think you have several decent opportunities to get into rads:

1. You may be able to scramble for open spots this March. Your numbers will give you a big advantages over the unmatched majority. And not all of the unmatched programs are weak programs.

2. Do prelim year and look for open 2008 PGY2 spots. Spots do occassionally open up in good programs.

3. Do prelim year and go through the match for 2009 PGY2 spots. This will probably net you the most opportunities to get into a program of your choice. You could moonlight, do research, or travel during the interim period. Personally, however, I would try to do a year of nuclear med.

 

[hans19]

I would go ahead and get your prelim med/ty intern year over with. It is a pointless, miseable experience and there is no point delaying it. Take the year off between PGY1 and PGY2 off instead of next year. Besides getting it over with, other benefits would be 1) you could take step 3 and apply for a state medical license, therefore opening up moonlighting opportunities for income during the year off, 2) you won't be burned out and tired of working with your rads training starts and you'll have a whole year off to rest and read prior to starting, putting you much ahead in the game, and 3) you could talk to PDs during your intern year to see if a PGY2 rads spot opens up during the year at a program you were interested in.

I disagree, its much harder to interview for residencies during a busy prelim year. You may only get vacation in 1 or 2 week blocks and not always when you want. You may be on call the week of your interviews, etc. You have excellent credentials, but you will be limited in time available for interviews. Some programs tell you what date you will interview, you have no choice! I have had friends in this painful position. Trust me if you haven't graduated and don't need the money from a residency I would hold off. It is much more flexible to interview for residencies as a medical student. The match process seems to favor medical students over graduates.

Best

 

[Wrigleyville]

Also, be careful if you have a bunch of loans. If you graduate they won't be in deferment anymore and you'll have to start paying them back. It may be more advantageous to just delay graduation a year than to do your intern year next year and sit out a year afterwards.