Unmatched 2025 to ortho, interested in radiology for next cycle

[nkdoc]

Hello all, I am an MS4 at a DO school on a student visa. I applied to ortho and went unmatched. This upcoming cycle I'm considering applying to Radiology or PMnR with a back up of FM. The chances of finding a TY or prelim position right now are slim. I have two options. Either (1) do a research year or (2) accept any open residency spot. Which one is a better plan, and how can I strengthen my application in the next few months? Step 2 is 253, I have 12 ortho pubs, 20 abstracts, and multiple leadership positions during med school.

For 1, I only found ortho research positions. Do you think I can justify that during my interviews?
For 2, does anyone have experience going into FM and then switching residency specialties?

If anyone has experience applying for a visa and securing an H1b, please let me know as well.

Thank you so so much! Appreciate any guidance.

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Radguy12]

I don't know if I speak for everyone, but I feel like at this point and time, radiologists are not fans of being chosen as a second choice/backup. Our field is doing pretty well. Not sure how much advice your gonna get here. If you weren't interested in it before, not sure how interested you'll be in rads now. Don't just pick it because it's easy and chill. It's neither of those things. Ortho is a totally different specialty

 

[jambro]

I don't know if I speak for everyone, but I feel like at this point and time, radiologists are not fans of being chosen as a second choice/backup. Our field is doing pretty well. Not sure how much advice your gonna get here. If you weren't interested in it before, not sure how interested you'll be in rads now. Don't just pick it because it's easy and chill. It's neither of those things. Ortho is a totally different specialty

Radiology is only getting less competitive since the peak in 2023 and this probably will continue until med students feel assured that AI will not have a negative impact on the field which may at least be the next couple years. If one was at all competitive for ortho I bet they could snag a rads spot fairly easily

Of course you shouldnt do it just cuz you can, but theres not an insignificant number of ex-surgeon dropouts to rads who are pretty darn pleased with their choice

 

[Radguy12]

Radiology is only getting less competitive since the peak in 2023 and this probably will continue until med students feel assured that AI will not have a negative impact on the field which may at least be the next couple years. If one was at all competitive for ortho I bet they could snag a rads spot fairly easily

Of course you shouldnt do it just cuz you can, but theres not an insignificant number of ex-surgeon dropouts to rads who are pretty darn pleased with their choice

An ex-surgeon dropout is very different from an I never matched surgery so I'm just gonna settle for rads. Very different mentalities

 

[jambro]

An ex-surgeon dropout is very different from an I never matched surgery so I'm just gonna settle for rads. Very different mentalities

I suppose, but I personally know several people who dual applied surgical subspecialties and rads, ended up matching rads, and are grateful for it