Question:
Dear Barry,
I will be finishing my categorical surgery intern year. I have decided to reapply this year for radiology, with a strong interest in IR. I am aware of the competitiveness of IR and DR in general. I am leaving in good standing. Also, I have good scores and achieved AOA. My radiology mentors in my hospital have encouraged me and feel I am competitive. I don’t have any published research, but I am working on projects. In terms of gauging my competitiveness and having realistic goals, how may I improve my application before September 2017?
———————-
Answer:
Get To Know The Radiology Program Director
In the past several years, several surgical interns have transferred to our department. Both residents came to speak to me about their interests while they were surgical residents (one was a SOAP match candidate, and the other stopped during the year to ask about interviews). I think speaking to the program directors increased their chances of getting into our program. It shows initiative! So, if I were in your shoes, one of the first things I would do would be to get to know the program director for radiology if there is a radiology training program in your hospital.
Also, sometimes spots can open up before the year begins, and showing interest in the radiology program can’t hurt. Therefore, it would make sense to talk to the program director about applications for this year. The biggest problem is that you probably will have to wait another year to secure a spot in a radiology residency program since applications are not for 2018-2019 but for 2019-2020. But you never know; a position can open up for the 2018-2019 R1 year.
Finally, it would allow you to get a feel for the quality of your application at your institution. The program directors will usually have insight into your chances of admission.
Get on The Radiology Bandwagon Now
If you have the fortitude to go through another surgical year and wait for a 2019-2020 spot after interviewing this year in the regular match, that would be the most likely way to secure a radiology spot. As you said, if you are a categorical surgical resident, you will likely be a competitive applicant for a radiology residency (even though the specialties of radiology and DR/IR have been getting slightly more competitive over the past year or two). Nevertheless, I would certainly get on the application bandwagon now because if you wait another year, you are less likely to be able to get government funding for a radiology resident spot. You snooze, you lose!!!
Is No Radiology Research An Issue?
Regarding research, it certainly can’t hurt to have completed a project or two. If you are interested in academic radiology, that will add to your application. In a clinical program, it probably doesn’t matter as much. In either case, most residency programs do not require research before entering. But, it does confirm interest in our specialty. Regardless of whether you have completed a research project, I think most program directors (especially IR/DR PDs) like to take surgical residents who have performed well at their institution and demonstrate an interest in radiology. Surgical residents who serve well can handle stress!!!
Make Sure to Apply To The Correct Programs
Also, since you are interested in IR, I would send out applications to residencies that are DR programs with an ESIR program and the new DR/IR program. Applying to both programs maximizes the probability of getting into a residency that allows you to complete IR without having to do a 2-year independent fellowship.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Barry
