What are my chances

[Strangetamer0619]

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I am a DO student at a low tier DO school thinking about going into radiology. I have a comlex of 573 and step 1 was 239. I know there is a biased against DO applications but I plan on applying to mid tier academic centers. I do not have any research which is way harder to get at a DO school than it needs to be. I am taking step 2 in June. So what do you think the chances are of me matching into mid level academic centers?

 

[recycledpaper]

I think you have a decent shot at mid-tier academic centers if you apply broadly. Probably not on either of the coasts, but there are plenty of strong programs in great cities that will give you an interview. Make sure to have some higher-quality community programs in the mix as well to cover your bases. At least 50-60 programs to be on the safe side. That's how many I applied with scores of 246/263 as a DO. You can always turn down invites versus applying late for more and not getting anything.

Also, do well on your Step 2. Try and aim for a 250+. And make sure your LORs are strong too. Are you going to do any aways?

 

[Strangetamer0619]

Thank you for the response. I am from Ky and would like to stay in Ky but they only have 2 radiology programs. I am taking a month to study for step 2 so I should do pretty well. I only planned on doing 2 away rotations. How many aways did you do? I am just worried about not having research but it is very hard to jump in at this point.

 

[TCOM12]

If you want to do radiology, then you have to be willing to move from Kentucky. Luckily, you could probably land somewhere in the region.

Try to get on a case report and get it published. If you already have an away spot lined up, contact the physician coordinator, and they can probably find something.

The problem with being from a lower tiered/newer DO school is you likely don't have anyone to go to for advice (at lease useful advice). If you need help, feel free to DM me.

 

[fantasticman221]

If you want to do radiology, then you have to be willing to move from Kentucky. Luckily, you could probably land somewhere in the region.

Try to get on a case report and get it published. If you already have an away spot lined up, contact the physician coordinator, and they can probably find something.

The problem with being from a lower tiered/newer DO school is you likely don't have anyone to go to for advice (at lease useful advice). If you need help, feel free to DM me.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the average step 1 score 240 for rads? Does being a DO make that big of difference? If an MD got that score, would they have to go to Kentucky?

 

[TCOM12]

It's an average for a reason. It's not a low end cutoff score. But the question is about matching in general, not where.

 

[recycledpaper]

Thank you for the response. I am from Ky and would like to stay in Ky but they only have 2 radiology programs. I am taking a month to study for step 2 so I should do pretty well. I only planned on doing 2 away rotations. How many aways did you do? I am just worried about not having research but it is very hard to jump in at this point.

I did 4 (two of them were 2 week aways) but probably could have done without one of them. I just wanted to be on the safe side. The problem with DR aways is you can’t really do anything special. So it’s pointless outside of actual networking, which is also tough to do as a med student but maybe that’s just me. I always felt that I was being judged negatively as a DO student since all my aways were in SoCal and it’s a notoriously anti-DO state for radiology at least.

I don’t think research will hurt you too much. I know classmates who got interviews at good programs without much research. You can just say that while you’re open to it, you simply didn’t have the resources at your disposal to pursue that avenue.