Question:
Hello Dr. Barry Julius,
I am a 4th-year osteopathic medical student that is struggling to figure out how I can pull off getting into a radiology residency with disappointing COMLEX scores and a completely sub-par application.
Background:
I finally realized what I wanted to do in medicine and now I fear it’s too late. I come from a surgical background having been a Certified Surgical Technologist and First Assistant for ten years before getting to medical school. I realized during my 3rd year that I didn’t want to be a surgeon.
I fell in love with radiology during my ER rotation this year. I loved feeling like I was finally helping patients by reading films. So many times, I felt like I never got to the root of a patient’s problems in internal medicine and family medicine but with radiology, I felt like I was solving a problem. As soon as the radiology bug bit me, I immediately started researching requirements for getting into a diagnostic radiology residency. This task broke my heart into a million pieces. All I found was how competitive the programs were and how essential board scores were.
Main Problem
Passing COMLEX level 1 was the hardest thing I’ve had to do in medical school. I failed twice and finally barely passed on my 3rd attempt. I’m both ashamed and proud of how many times took the exam. I’m proud because I never considered quitting. Medicine has always been my passion, and nothing would ever make me give up on the dream of becoming a physician. I never felt like COMLEX was ultimately going to defeat me.
I’m also proud because I learned a lot about how to study and how I learn best. I’m ashamed because it made me feel like I wouldn’t make a great physician. Many mentors and patients have told me that I would make a fantastic physician. In my heart I know I would.
My Current Situation
I made friends with the radiologist at the hospital where I did my ER rotation, and I’m doing an elective rotation with him starting next week. I’m really excited about this opportunity but lingering in the back of my mind is maybe I have no chance of getting into a radiology residency. Tons of people have told me there is no way to salvage my situation, but I can’t accept that. I’m a fighter and always have been.
Even if you never reply to this message I honestly appreciate the chance to vent. The bottom line is, I will never give up trying to achieve what I want especially now that I’m so passionate about it. After reading some of your posts, I just wanted to know what you would do in my situation. What is your advice for someone like me, with a worthless application, but a strong drive to do whatever is necessary to achieve a goal?
Regards,
Worried Radiology Applicant
Answer:
Sorry, I have been unable to get back to you sooner. It has been a crazy week. However, I have had some time to mull the issues that you present in the letter and I have come up with a potential solution. But, it will take some soul searching, grit, and determination.
Why are the medical school exam board exams so critical for radiology residencies? Simply because the radiology boards is also a multiple choice question computer exam that is difficult to pass. And, most residencies would not want to commit resources to a resident that will not be able to pass the boards.
Get To The Bottom Of The Situation
So, this is what do you need to do. First, you need to figure out why you have such a hard time with the exam. This may be the most difficult part for you, to admit there may be a psychological problem with test taking to begin with. Many times this is a simple issue that can be easily solved. They have testing psychologists that can get to the root cause. It would be well worth your time to splurge a few thousand dollars now to get the answer that may save you hardship down the road.
For some, the issue can be solved with something as simple as anxiety exercises before the test. For others, it could be a learning disability that you were not aware of. Regardless, make the time and effort to complete this step. It will be well worth it.
USMLE: The Solution
Second, you need to take the USMLE. The good news for you: Most radiology residencies do not like to use the COMLEX as a screening tool. So, if you were to do well on the USMLE, they would never even care about your score on the COMLEX.
So, finally, I would dedicate a year to studying for the USMLE exams and doing well on them. How would I approach it? I would take a year of research in radiology to stay involved in the field. And, I would study at the same time so that you can get the scores you need.
Bottom Line
It will take a lot of from you to really tackle the issue of passing the USMLE and getting into radiology residency. But, if you really want it that bad, there is a way.
