Dual apply, do some aways, and hope for the best.DO 230 step 1 ms3, no research, pass im+ surg so far no honors yet, should i still apply? I'm thinking applying to IM now based on recent competitveness.
Dual apply, do some aways, and hope for the best.DO 230 step 1 ms3, no research, pass im+ surg so far no honors yet, should i still apply? I'm thinking applying to IM now based on recent competitveness.
if i dual apply i would need about 6 rec letters so i can send 3 to each saying i wanna do IM vs radiology right?Dual apply, do some aways, and hope for the best.
if i dual apply i would need about 6 rec letters so i can send 3 to each saying i wanna do IM vs radiology right?
You can use a max of four letters. Can submit just three. Only one really needs to be rads. So really just five max.if i dual apply i would need about 6 rec letters so i can send 3 to each saying i wanna do IM vs radiology right?
Is it common for writers to not specify?You can use a max of four letters. Can submit just three. Only one really needs to be rads. So really just five max.
4 for IM/FM or whatever.
Take out one of the above and substitute a rads letter. Just ask your letter writers not to specify a specialty.
Yeah it’s fine. Obviously you want your rads writer to specify. But your other writers can just talk about how you did well on the rotation and how you’d be a great doctor in general.Is it common for writers to not specify?
I did this with my FM letter.Is it common for writers to not specify?
Its so so easy to get IR through DR. Competition for ESIR spots is very low.Current MS3 from a mid-tier US medical school who is interested in pursuing an integrated IR residency. I made the decision very recently. I scored 260s on step 1. Honored all rotations (besides one, which I have yet to complete). I have 5-6 publications, none of which are IR-related (though some are surgical). I was told by my clinical advisor that without research, it would be an uphill battle. I was curious what your thoughts about my competitiveness/ matching probabilities?
Also, what are your thoughts regarding applying DR and joining the ESIR track? Do you think fellowship spots will become obsolete by the time I apply?
You will likely receive many interviews based on your Step 1 alone. Overall your chances at matching a solid academic program are high, granted you perform well on your interviews. Get some pubs if you can.Step 1: 263
Pre-clinical: P/F unranked
Clinical grades: 1 Honor, 2 HP, 2 P (I have surgery and OB left, assume worst case P in both)
Ranking: Will likely be 3rd or 4th quartile
AOA: no
School: Low-Mid Tier MD
Research: I have one research experience but no publications. Will try to get my name on a poster or pub soon though.
Leadership: One longitudinal and one short term experience
LORs: Likely two great letters from IM doctors and will be getting a radiology letter hopefully when I do my radiology elective.
What are my chances at any decent academic program? Definitely concerned about my below average clinical grades and lack of research.
Your 3 LoRs should be fine.Hi everyone. Late to the radiology game after thinking I was going to do ophthalmology. Fell in love with radiology during a third year elective and am excited to go into it. I enjoy IR (but will be applying solely DR for the upcoming cycle).
- Currently on a gap year between 3rd/4th. I'm currently on a gap year, working in a startup on the engineering side, developing a novel imaging modality for early detection of hepatic pathologies.
- Top 15 medical school
- No pre-clinical ranking
- 4th quartile for clinicals (2 honors in surgery and psychiatry. High pass in everything else)
- AOA/GHHS: No
- Step 1: 235
- Step 2: No score, will take later this year.
Recommendation letters obtained:
1. From my ophthalmology mentor (did a clinical rotation + spent 2 years doing research with her)
2. From one of my preceptors from my IM rotation
3. Hopefully should obtain one during my DR elective this coming summer when I return to school.
Do I need another recommendation letter?
Research/Extracurriculars:
- 37 papers on my CV: vast majority ophthalmology, about 7 in molecular cancer diagnostics
- 1 book chapter in Ophtho
- 19 abstracts/presentations.
- Two research awards: one at an ophthalmology conference, and another at a radiology conference
- I have been awarded 2 patents
- During medical school I was an engineering consultant for a few surgery startups and helped lead product development.
I would ideally like to train at a top academic institution on the coasts that has the infrastructure for me to pursue my research/industry interests. Do I have a shot at these top programs, or am I SOL given my Step 1 and clinical grades?
Thanks so much for the help!
Hi everyone. Considering IR after deciding rad onc wasn't the right fit.
Step 1: 252
Pre-clinical: unranked
Clinical grades: 1 Honor (OB/GYN), 1 HP (Peds) , 3 P (Surgery, Psych, Neuro) - I struggled with shelf exams, no negative comments
Ranking: No clue
AOA: no
School: Mid tier USMD in the Southeast
Research: 6 abstracts Rad Onc (2 1st author), 1 Anesthesia paper from undergrad
ECs: Minimal volunteering, no leadership
LORs: None, I was planning on asking during my upcoming IM core rotation
I'm closing in on the end of my 3rd year and planning for my 4th. Can I salvage my app to be competitive for mid tier programs and if I'm interested in programs in the midwest and northeast, what sort of programs should I applying to aways at?
I think you should be good IR. I had several people in my low tier school change into IR and just match with lower board scores. I think the key is away rotations.If you apply to IR and DR you should be ok. Apply very broadly
If you're not picky about programs, you can certainly match into NYC. There are 17 radiology residency programs in NYC + Long Island. I have a close friend who matched into a mid tier rads program in NYC with worse stats than yours this year,Hi everyone, rads has gotten more competitive this year anecdotally, so want to ask what people thought given my step 2 score drop. Looking at CA (socal) and NYC (have important family/significant other ties to both).
Step 1: 250
Step 2: 239
Pre-clinical: P/F unranked
Clinical grades: 3 Honors (IM, Primary Care, Psych), 3 HP (OB/Gyn, Peds, Neuro) , 1 P (Surgery)
Ranking: Do not know clinical years ranking yet.
School: Top 20
Research: Took a dedicated research year after M3 (finishing up). 2 first author manuscripts submitted, second author on 2 more (more involved papers, not chart review etc). on ~6 abstracts
ECs: School's Free clinic, had an involved position.
LORs: Planning to get from IM sub-i, Family medicine rotation, PI from research year, PD of rads dept, potentially can get another one from Primary care IM rotation in 3rd year
dude for real, you have a 260 step and stacked resume. what do you want to hear? You will get an interview from any program in the countryFeeling a little neurotic and would love some insight into where I stand. I'd ideally like to end up in the Northeast or West coast to help my partner with job prospects, but ultimately I'd be very happy with a solid training program where I could feel comfortable in either PP or academics. I'm currently debating MSK vs ESIR for fellowship down the line with more of a leaning towards MSK, and to that end, I'd love to end up at program like TJ, Wisconsin, or Mallinckrodt. However, I grew up and did both med school and undergrad in the south so I understand there might be some regional bias.
Step 1: 260
Step 2: 259
Pre-clinical: P/F unranked
Clinical grades: 1 Honor, 4 HP, 1 P
Ranking: Unknown
AOA: no
School: T25 USMD
Research: 8 total ERAS pubs, 1 first-author paper in a basic science biomechanics journal, and 1 second-author paper in clinical nutrition. The biomechanics work led to many presentations, one of them being a major talk at a national conference that was a finalist for an award. Our radiology rotations also offer an opportunity to submit case presentations on their teaching website, and I currently have one that was really well received and another one that will be submitted at the end of my current rotation. I am also working on a radiology education project with someone who is well known and while the results may not be published in time, this project is part of a distinction track at my school so I believe there will be ample opportunity to talk about this on my PS and at interviews.
LORs: This is my area of concern. I have one radiology letter that I know will be strong based on the feedback from the rotation and the case presentation above. I'm halfway through 1 of 3 more radiology rotations, and I feel confident I will get a strong letter here and can potentially garner more. I also have one research letter from the biomechanics work I did and know this letter will be strong. For my remaining clinical letters I have:
-1 FM letter (this was part of the in-patient FM service that I was on as part of my IM rotation)
-1 Psych letter
-1 Peds letter
My concern is that for our peds and IM rotations, we only work with the attending for 1 week before they switch off. The FM letter writer did not identify this as a concern, but the Peds writer did though they did emphasize they're still happy to write the letter if I cannot find anyone else and that I did do a good job. I worked with my Psych letter writer for 2.5 weeks and feel they can write well to my characteristics, but I'm not sure how it will be received. If I can make 2 Rads, 1 clinical, and 1 research letter work I'm not as concerned, but I worry if I have to rely on clinical letters alone. In addition to providing the Peds letter writer with more examples I was going to do the following:
-Re-contact potential letter writers that have not responded yet
-Contact one of my attendings from our longitudinal outpatient medicine block (I was reluctant about this as this was my first rotation, and I felt like my skillset was far better with my other letter writers
-Consider reaching out to one of my attendings from my recent Ortho AI and see if they'd be willing. (I am concerned they might write a lukewarm letter upon finding out I am switching from Ortho to Rads)
I would love insight on my prospects for the upcoming cycle, and if I am appropriately concerned about my LORs or if I'm sitting in a good spot.
This comes off as really tone deaf and fishing for compliments. I know you might be nervous but this comes off that disingenous. Grow some balls. You know as a 260+ from a T25 you're gonna be fine. If you don't know that, you're either an idiot or a level of social misfit nobody has ever seen.Feeling a little neurotic and would love some insight into where I stand. I'd ideally like to end up in the Northeast or West coast to help my partner with job prospects, but ultimately I'd be very happy with a solid training program where I could feel comfortable in either PP or academics. I'm currently debating MSK vs ESIR for fellowship down the line with more of a leaning towards MSK, and to that end, I'd love to end up at program like TJ, Wisconsin, or Mallinckrodt. However, I grew up and did both med school and undergrad in the south so I understand there might be some regional bias.
Step 1: 260
Step 2: 259
Pre-clinical: P/F unranked
Clinical grades: 1 Honor, 4 HP, 1 P
Ranking: Unknown
AOA: no
School: T25 USMD
Research: 8 total ERAS pubs, 1 first-author paper in a basic science biomechanics journal, and 1 second-author paper in clinical nutrition. The biomechanics work led to many presentations, one of them being a major talk at a national conference that was a finalist for an award. Our radiology rotations also offer an opportunity to submit case presentations on their teaching website, and I currently have one that was really well received and another one that will be submitted at the end of my current rotation. I am also working on a radiology education project with someone who is well known and while the results may not be published in time, this project is part of a distinction track at my school so I believe there will be ample opportunity to talk about this on my PS and at interviews.
LORs: This is my area of concern. I have one radiology letter that I know will be strong based on the feedback from the rotation and the case presentation above. I'm halfway through 1 of 3 more radiology rotations, and I feel confident I will get a strong letter here and can potentially garner more. I also have one research letter from the biomechanics work I did and know this letter will be strong. For my remaining clinical letters I have:
-1 FM letter (this was part of the in-patient FM service that I was on as part of my IM rotation)
-1 Psych letter
-1 Peds letter
My concern is that for our peds and IM rotations, we only work with the attending for 1 week before they switch off. The FM letter writer did not identify this as a concern, but the Peds writer did though they did emphasize they're still happy to write the letter if I cannot find anyone else and that I did do a good job. I worked with my Psych letter writer for 2.5 weeks and feel they can write well to my characteristics, but I'm not sure how it will be received. If I can make 2 Rads, 1 clinical, and 1 research letter work I'm not as concerned, but I worry if I have to rely on clinical letters alone. In addition to providing the Peds letter writer with more examples I was going to do the following:
-Re-contact potential letter writers that have not responded yet
-Contact one of my attendings from our longitudinal outpatient medicine block (I was reluctant about this as this was my first rotation, and I felt like my skillset was far better with my other letter writers
-Consider reaching out to one of my attendings from my recent Ortho AI and see if they'd be willing. (I am concerned they might write a lukewarm letter upon finding out I am switching from Ortho to Rads)
I would love insight on my prospects for the upcoming cycle, and if I am appropriately concerned about my LORs or if I'm sitting in a good spot.
Prep 4 soapFeeling a little neurotic and would love some insight into where I stand. I'd ideally like to end up in the Northeast or West coast to help my partner with job prospects, but ultimately I'd be very happy with a solid training program where I could feel comfortable in either PP or academics. I'm currently debating MSK vs ESIR for fellowship down the line with more of a leaning towards MSK, and to that end, I'd love to end up at program like TJ, Wisconsin, or Mallinckrodt. However, I grew up and did both med school and undergrad in the south so I understand there might be some regional bias.
Step 1: 260
Step 2: 259
Pre-clinical: P/F unranked
Clinical grades: 1 Honor, 4 HP, 1 P
Ranking: Unknown
AOA: no
School: T25 USMD
Research: 8 total ERAS pubs, 1 first-author paper in a basic science biomechanics journal, and 1 second-author paper in clinical nutrition. The biomechanics work led to many presentations, one of them being a major talk at a national conference that was a finalist for an award. Our radiology rotations also offer an opportunity to submit case presentations on their teaching website, and I currently have one that was really well received and another one that will be submitted at the end of my current rotation. I am also working on a radiology education project with someone who is well known and while the results may not be published in time, this project is part of a distinction track at my school so I believe there will be ample opportunity to talk about this on my PS and at interviews.
LORs: This is my area of concern. I have one radiology letter that I know will be strong based on the feedback from the rotation and the case presentation above. I'm halfway through 1 of 3 more radiology rotations, and I feel confident I will get a strong letter here and can potentially garner more. I also have one research letter from the biomechanics work I did and know this letter will be strong. For my remaining clinical letters I have:
-1 FM letter (this was part of the in-patient FM service that I was on as part of my IM rotation)
-1 Psych letter
-1 Peds letter
My concern is that for our peds and IM rotations, we only work with the attending for 1 week before they switch off. The FM letter writer did not identify this as a concern, but the Peds writer did though they did emphasize they're still happy to write the letter if I cannot find anyone else and that I did do a good job. I worked with my Psych letter writer for 2.5 weeks and feel they can write well to my characteristics, but I'm not sure how it will be received. If I can make 2 Rads, 1 clinical, and 1 research letter work I'm not as concerned, but I worry if I have to rely on clinical letters alone. In addition to providing the Peds letter writer with more examples I was going to do the following:
-Re-contact potential letter writers that have not responded yet
-Contact one of my attendings from our longitudinal outpatient medicine block (I was reluctant about this as this was my first rotation, and I felt like my skillset was far better with my other letter writers
-Consider reaching out to one of my attendings from my recent Ortho AI and see if they'd be willing. (I am concerned they might write a lukewarm letter upon finding out I am switching from Ortho to Rads)
I would love insight on my prospects for the upcoming cycle, and if I am appropriately concerned about my LORs or if I'm sitting in a good spot.
Step 1: 255
Step 2: 257
Pre-clinical: P/F unranked
Clinical grades: Honors in Rads and IM
Ranking: Top quartile
AOA: hah, right
School: IMG, might as well have pulled out my diploma from a cereal box amirite.
Research: 6 pubs on cureus (spare me), 1 main author rad focused, 5 coauthor IM focus.
Will apply both Rads/IM. Shoot for the stars, they say..
Roast me boiz
I don't know if this post is in jest but, a tip for IMGs:Step 1: 255
Step 2: 257
Pre-clinical: P/F unranked
Clinical grades: Honors in Rads and IM
Ranking: Top quartile
AOA: hah, right
School: IMG, might as well have pulled out my diploma from a cereal box amirite.
Research: 6 pubs on cureus (spare me), 1 main author rad focused, 5 coauthor IM focus.
Will apply both Rads/IM. Shoot for the stars, they say..
Roast me boiz
It is not in jest, only somewhat satirical. Thanks for the advice, I have already identified IMG tolerating Rads programs and will apply to all 99 of them.I don't know if this post is in jest but, a tip for IMGs:
Look into the roster of residency programs and target those with IMGs. To find the most recently matched applicants, check out the program's twitter or instagram page.
from what I have heard is you should be fine due to your clinical grades as well as respectable scores.Hey everyone, just wanted to get a gauge of where I stand. It seems like rads was pretty competitive last year and I'm hoping I can match at a good academic program. I’m sort of worried that my step 1 score will affect me but was hoping the rest of my app can somewhat balance my lower score.
Current Status: MS4
School: Mid-tier US MD
Step 1: 235
Step 2: 252
Pre-clinical: P/F, however, grades were factored into the class ranking.
Clinical grades: Honored every rotation
Class Ranking: Top quartile
AOA: was nominated by a faculty member but will hear about the decision in late August
Research:
6 Publications/Abstracts/Posters
- one first author and one second author pub
2 Case-in-point articles are preliminary accepted and completing submission currently
EC’s:
Three leadership positions
Three service experiences; continued one of them since undergrad and have extensively volunteered
Division 1 athlete; not sure if this matters any more but was something to talk about during med school applications
LORs:
4 letters right now (surgery/sub-I/ICU/rads).
Hey everyone, just wanted to get a gauge of where I stand. It seems like rads was pretty competitive last year and I'm hoping I can match at a good academic program. I’m sort of worried that my step 1 score will affect me but was hoping the rest of my app can somewhat balance my lower score.
Current Status: MS4
School: Mid-tier US MD
Step 1: 235
Step 2: 252
Pre-clinical: P/F, however, grades were factored into the class ranking.
Clinical grades: Honored every rotation
Class Ranking: Top quartile
AOA: was nominated by a faculty member but will hear about the decision in late August
Research:
6 Publications/Abstracts/Posters
- one first author and one second author pub
2 Case-in-point articles are preliminary accepted and completing submission currently
EC’s:
Three leadership positions
Three service experiences; continued one of them since undergrad and have extensively volunteered
Division 1 athlete; not sure if this matters any more but was something to talk about during med school applications
LORs:
4 letters right now (surgery/sub-I/ICU/rads).
You should look into categorical programs, as there aren’t many. You’ll probably be fine to match a program, and there are many “decent” ones outside the top 25.Wanting to switch last minute from Anesthesiology
Step 1: 265
Step 2: 275
Pre-clinical: P/F unranked
Clinical grades: All 6H
AOA: yes
School: T50 MD (Cincinnati, Colorado tier)
Research: i have a lot of presentations and posters. 2ish things submitted to publish and 2 case reports submitted to publish. Am working in the fall at an outside hospital fellowship on social determinants of health, will get a few first and middle authors from it but after eras.
ECs: above average, not insane.
LORs: 3 super super strong letters. 1 from gas attending, 1 from gas chair, 1 from IM subi attending.
What’re the odds I can just apply categorical programs without any rads elective or letter and match a decent one (like top 25)?
Sorry was multitasking while I wrote that. Meant "categorical programs or top 25-30 advanced."You should look into categorical programs, as there aren’t many. You’ll probably be fine to match a program, and there are many “decent” ones outside the top 25.
You should really try to get one rads letter from your home program. Why can't you switch into an elective rotation this month or next? If you're really serious about switching to rads, you need to reach out to the pd of your home program and/or the attending in charge of med student education explaining your situation.Wanting to switch last minute from Anesthesiology
Step 1: 265
Step 2: 275
Pre-clinical: P/F unranked
Clinical grades: All 6H
AOA: yes
School: T50 MD (Cincinnati, Colorado tier)
Research: i have a lot of presentations and posters. 2ish things submitted to publish and 2 case reports submitted to publish. Am working in the fall at an outside hospital fellowship on social determinants of health, will get a few first and middle authors from it but after eras.
ECs: above average, not insane.
LORs: 3 super super strong letters. 1 from gas attending, 1 from gas chair, 1 from IM subi attending.
What’re the odds I can just apply categorical programs without any rads elective or letter and match a decent one (like top 25)?
You should be able to match a solid academic program. It also depends a lot on the geography. Mayo and Mallinckrodt are less competitive for example than Stanford, MGH, BWH solely because of their location. Most people matching at those latter type places have an additional x factor you don't have eg: elite medical school, elite research / phd, URM, etc.hey everyone
Step 1: ~240
Step 2: ~260
Research: 2 publication (1 submitted and 1 published) + co-author on RSNA presentations/other radiology presentations (~10)
Low tier MD, will be AOA.
What are my chances at top 25 radiology programs? Will be step 1 and school name drag me down? Is it worth even signaling?
I had better scores without AOA and I did not receive interviews in the top 20. That being said, you should signal the places you want to go, not the best "name"hey everyone
Step 1: ~240
Step 2: ~260
Research: 2 publication (1 submitted and 1 published) + co-author on RSNA presentations/other radiology presentations (~10)
Low tier MD, will be AOA.
What are my chances at top 25 radiology programs? Will be step 1 and school name drag me down? Is it worth even signaling?
can you expand on your application on why you might not have received interviews in top 20? I tried to direct message but was not able to. Feel free to dm meI had better scores without AOA and I did not receive interviews in the top 20. That being said, you should signal the places you want to go, not the best "name"
Top 20 in any specialty will be competitive. Rads was especially competitive last year. My app just wasnt one of the "best" in the cycle.can you expand on your application on why you might not have received interviews in top 20? I tried to direct message but was not able to. Feel free to dm me
sucks 260 isnt considered top grades nowadays lolTop 20 in any specialty will be competitive. Rads was especially competitive last year. My app just wasnt one of the "best" in the cycle.
I think to land top interviews you should at least two of the following: tons of research, top scores/grades, or some "interesting" factor.
260 is great. 240 is not. Your research isn't particularly impressive. And you didn't mention any other interesting aspect to your app. Your best chance at top interviews is your AOA status.sucks 260 isnt considered top grades nowadays lol
A friend of mine had high 230s step 1, mid 240s step 2 and lower research output than you and still matched mid tier university program in the northeast. You will match if you apply broadly.Current Status: MS4
School: low tier MD school
Step 1: low 230s
Step 2: low 250s
Pre-clinical: P/F
Clinical grades: variable (Hs, HP, P)
Class Ranking: 3rd quartile
Research: 5 publications (2 first author, 3 second author; mix of basic/clinical research; a couple radiology case reports submitted and pending)
Planning to apply very broadly. Chances of matching anywhere?
Thoughts on how low step 1 score compares to those with P/F?
Apply broadly. You only lose some moneyHi all, trying to figure out which programs to look at with a P/F Step 1 for 2023-2024 cycle.
Main questions:
1. Is it worth applying to schools where my Step 2 is below their 25th percentile (according to AMA Residency Explorer)? Would this be a good method of ruling out programs since I don't have the most "wow" application?
2. Should Top 10/20/30 programs be on my list at all (besides my home institution)?
3. Any recommendations for what else to do during my year off besides research and vacation?
Current Status: Research year between MS3-MS4.
School: T20.
Step 1: P.
Step 2: 246.
Pre-clinical: P/F unranked.
Clinical grades: 1H, 3NH, 3P (medicine, surgery, neuro yikes).
Class Ranking: 3rd quartile.
Research: 3 papers (two 1st authors), 1 oral, 5 poster.
Other: DR, IR, and LGBT interest groups; free clinic volunteering.
Thanks
From what I’ve seen, going to be a long shot. Hopefully you’re dual applying. Rads only getting more competitive. A few people at my USMD school with those stats didn’t match this previous yearUS IMG
Step 1 245
step 2 253
1 rads LOR from dc
1 rads LOR from PD
3 cushion LORs from other specialties
1st quartile, class rank 6/110
only one P on an elective, the rest are all honors
1 published abstract, 2 submitted abstracts for rads
im applying to 148 programs, willing to go anywhere as long as I can practice
Apply to every program in the US. Dual apply to FM.US IMG
Step 1 245
step 2 253
1 rads LOR from dc
1 rads LOR from PD
3 cushion LORs from other specialties
1st quartile, class rank 6/110
only one P on an elective, the rest are all honors
1 published abstract, 2 submitted abstracts for rads
im applying to 148 programs, willing to go anywhere as long as I can practice
Would it make more sense for him/her to dual apply IM so that they could take one more chance, while also getting the prelim year? Or is IM much more competitive than FM such that he/she would need to do applications for DR, IM, prelim IM, and FMApply to every program in the US. Dual apply to FM.
how did several MD with those stats not match? 240 over is 90% match rateFrom what I’ve seen, going to be a long shot. Hopefully you’re dual applying. Rads only getting more competitive. A few people at my USMD school with those stats didn’t match this previous year
You're right, it's actually 93%. If those people didn't match, it wasn't because of their scores...how did several MD with those stats not match? 240 over is 90% match rate
I've been told interviews and make or break you whether you are IMG or USMD.You're right, it's actually 93%. If those people didn't match, it wasn't because of their scores...
I'm actually dual applying IM. IM is not that competitive, plenty of friends with lower scores have matched. But I really want DR.Would it make more sense for him/her to dual apply IM so that they could take one more chance, while also getting the prelim year? Or is IM much more competitive than FM such that he/she would need to do applications for DR, IM, prelim IM, and FM