sdboy,
here is a thought. apply to both. If you don't and you are an unfortunate soul such as myself, you will end up scrambling. If you apply to both, atleast you have a backup. Radiology is competitive. Even many good people have been denied, so remember better to apply to both than just one.
Radiology
Pros:
Cool technology
very "neural" field
many different procedures
low patient interaction (can be a good thing in many instances)
"Super expert" in the field of imaging
Mad money nowdays (hence the trend in competitiveness)
Cons:
radiation exposure
have to deal with "irate" clinicians (mainly surgeons) who think they can read x-rays better than you (many hate you because they are jealous)
very rough residency nowdays (trust me, I took a few overnight calls with residents)
lifestyle (hours) getting worse in private practice and academia
Anesthesiology
Pros:
Cool procedures
Mad "clinician" respect (trust me, I have seen this one when I was following a couple of anesthesiologists around)
expert in airway management
Mad money nowdays (hence the trend in competitiveness)
residency not as difficult when compared to radiology at most institutions (you still have to know a lot, but you just don't have to read as much)
lifestyle still very good (although you do have to get up early in the morning)
Cons:
Nurses think they can do your job (some can, most cannot); however, you will never be in jeopardy of losing your job to them
have to work with surgeons (some are dinguses, most respect you)
When bad things happens, you are it. Fortunately, bad things only happen once in a while (<1%).
Many residencies are now adding more ICU months in resident's training (too many anesthesia residents were getting out at 1-3 pm every day so some old guys decided to increase the suffering in residency)
Some info on me:
I am an intern (doing a transitional year); applied to radiology didn't get in; scrambled into anesthesia. will be doing anesthesia at the place where I am doing a transitional year. Trasitional year in not really transitional in that i will be doing ICU for 4 months. But we have 4 months of cush electives (like rads, anesthesia, etc.) and we don't do any bulls##t general surgery months or OB-GYN months. I also have to do 3 months of general internal medicine (not bad in that I am doing my first one now and its ok).
Am i unhappy in that I didn't match radiology? yes, lost a few nights sleep (you would too if you did 3 radiology rotations, and spend all that time trying to prepare for applications and interviews)
Am I happy that I am in anesthesia? YES. After a year, no more of this general medicine bull$hit. Although I don't LOVE what I will do, i will certainly be HAPPY doing anesthesia (Happiness is what matters in the end).
My stats: Step 1 234, Step 2 score (not in at time of interviews); Clinical grades: Internal Medicine (honors), high passes in surgery and other rotations. Good letters of recs (radiologist that wrote them called some places). Great internal medicine recommendation letter (never tried to bs in medicine rotation - they knew i wanted to do radiology and still gave me honors).
Moral of this story: You will be happy with either direction; just apply to both if you are interested in both. I am happy about the outcome of my match and will be infinitely happy once I finish residency.
