Question:
Hello!
I am a U.S. Allopathic medical third-year medical student who is highly interested in applying for a residency in diagnostic radiology. However, I am concerned that my Step 1 score (227) will hinder my application. I ultimately would like to return home to California. However, I do understand that some of the most competitive residencies are in the Westcoast. Other than improving on my Step 2 score, what other steps could I take to increase my chances of matching? Do away rotations help, especially since I’d like to return home to the Westcoast?
Thank you!
Answer:
Away Rotations
Let me start by answering the end of the question first because I have received several requests to find out about if away rotations work to enhance the application. So, I like to say that away rotations are a double-edged sword. On the sharp-edged side, if you are the type of person that is outgoing and forms spontaneous connections with the folks you work with, then an away rotation can work well. You will be memorable to the admissions committee in a good way. On the other dull-edged side, if you are timid or not very remarkable, an away rotation can work against you.
When the admissions committee meets at most institutions, the program coordinator and the residents will usually speak up and say that a candidate did or did not work well in the institution. If the residents and program directors do not get to know you well, that can become a red flag.
California And The USMLE
For California specifically, as of this more competitive calendar year, your scores may prevent you from getting through some of the screening protocols at the residency programs. California programs for anything has become more and more competitive. Not that a score of 227 is terrible, but residency programs do have lots of applications to screen. And, some use it as a prelim screening criteria. I would imagine that some institutions may have higher minimums and some not.
That said, I would not let your USMLE scores dissuade you from applying to any institution. Many programs will deem your number to be adequate depending on what else you have accomplished during your residency. And yes, an improved Step II score will help your application a lot.
Other Issues
Assuming that you are still in the midst of your third-year rotations, the best thing that you can do to bolster your application is to do well on your clinical rotations at this point. The Deans Letter is the most scrutinized piece of the application. So, anything that you can do to improve that would be high yield.
And finally, if you have some time, I would try to pursue a short radiology project or two during the rest of the year. What kinds of projects? Well, case reviews or quick retrospective studies would be the types of projects that you should look for specifically. These sorts of projects show interest in the field of radiology and give you significant involvement in the field. At the bare minimum, it will provide you some talking points during interview season. And, at best, they will give you a few published or presented projects before the application screening/interview season begins.
Regards,
Barry Julius, MD
