Applying to Radiology

What is Radiology? ● The latest & greatest in imaging & technology ● US, x-rays, magnetic fields, RF, and soon possibly IR, all at your disposal ● 1 year fellowships ● Opportunity for patient contact

Statistical Overview 2011

Results of the 2010 NRMP Program director Survey

First… ● MSI and MSII ● As with all other specialties the better your grades are the more you will stand out against applicants with similar Step 1 scores but lower grades. ● Some research is important so that you are not the one applicant with no research, but not a deal breaker for Radiology programs other than big-name research powerhouses. ● Step I ● Essentially the most important element, this will be used to filter your application automatically.

First… ● MSIII ● The more honors the better, important is consistency in grades. Don’t make Step 1 your only positive attribute. ● AOA can’t hurt but as we talked about only 25% of matched applicants are AOA ● Step 2 ● CS: take it as early as possible ● CK: If you did well on step 1, then take it late. No so good step 1 score, then study hard and take it early.

UB Rotations ● Find out if radiology is for you early on by taking the elective ● You will need to take it early enough to get a recommendation letter from the radiologist in by Nov 1 st. So this means at latest D module. ● Need to take at least the Radiology elective with Dr. DelBalso, chairman of radiology at the VA. ● He writes amazing letters of recommendation personalized to each student. ● Alternative option is to take it with Dr. Grossman at Roswell, he is also good for a recommendation letter but he may not offer the elective early enough to be of use. ● Hours are longer but you will get to see more at Roswell (neuro, body, IR, mammo, etc)

Away rotations ● By no means are away rotations necessary, some common reasons to do an away rotation: ● Get an interview at a competative place ● Get a letter of recommendation ● Break into a new region ● You are allowed 3 months for away rotations ● Away rotations may be blocked for 2-4 weeks ● Pick programs in the region you are interested in, and that may be hard to get an interview at.

Away rotations… ● Advice ● Unless you do IR it will be hard to really impress an attending, especially if you just sit behind the resident all day and see the attending maybe for an hour here and there. ● In radiology away electives most of the time you are doing what you do on the UB elective, sit and watch. ● But doing an away shows the program you are interested and unless you do something heinous they should give you an interview. ● Want to sound interesting but don’t want to annoy the residents/attendings

Applying for Away Rotations ● Start looking in January of your third year and apply as early as you can, they fill quick! ● Some are paper applications found on the school websites; most are through VSAS ● VSAS ● Each school will accept applications for visiting through VSAS on different dates, so check the dates and apply first thing! ● Some schools may offer dates that don’t line up with your module/block schedule. Try calling the department to see if you can come off cycle!

Applying for Away Rotations ● Schools may require extensive documentation and various paperwork before you can start. This is hard to accomplish during your third year rotations so start gathering these bits of information early… ● Immunization titers (requires blood work and school insurance does not cover this!) ● PPD within the last year ● Flu shot within the last year ● Physical performed by a physician with signed documentation stating you are healthy ● Letter of Good Standing from the Dean ● Application fee

Letters of recommendations ● You will need a minimum of 3 letters for a complete application. These can be any people that know you well and can write a good letter, usually these would be: ● One from a radiologist (Dr. DelBalso) ● Two from medical/clinical specialties (Ask them early!) ● With an optional 4 th letter from research mentor ● Two MAXIMUM radiologist letters.

Asking for Letters of recommendation ● Via ok, in person is better ● Ask the person what they need. ● Cover sheet ● CV ● Personal Statement ● Unofficial Transcript ● Include the ERAS Letter of Recommendation Cover Sheet which provides the writer instructions on how to submit the letter ● Include an addressed and stamped envelope to the OME (where the letters will be sent)

Personal Statement ● Keep it to one page ● Set up: ● Left and Right Margins: 0.3” ● Top and Bottom Margins: 0.8” ● Font: Courier New ● Font Size: 10

Applying ● ERAS ● Apps open on September 1 st ● Depending on how good an applicant you are you can follow guideline found on auntminnie ● No reason not to have the app in by Sept 1 st. You don’t need all of the letters of recommendation in, but at least 1 at the start would be a good idea. ● Make sure all letters of recommendation are in by Nov 1 when the Deans letter is uploaded.

Applying ● Where to apply ● Radiology programs are very regional ● Program size (freida website) ● assn.org/Freida/user/viewProgramSearch.do ● Academics vs community ● Previous match from our school ● How many places ● Average ~ 40. ● Depends on your stats

Applying ● PGY-1 ● Prelim-medicine ● Prelim-surgery ● Transitional year: the most ideal option ● No need to write a separate personal statement ● Easy community programs since your PGY-1 doesn’t really matter

Interviews ● Interview offers can start anywhere from September to November/December. ● CHECK YOUR FREQUENTLY! You will need to respond ASAP to secure a spot! Phone with data plan is great thing. ● Filter on your account to send a text with an interview invitation ● Don’t get waitlisted for an interview because you didn’t respond right away. ● Interviews are scheduled from late October through the middle of January depending on the region you are interested in. ● Most programs DO NOT offer interviews during RSNA conference, usually first week of December. ● Ideal to take month off or light rotations in the big interview months (November, December, January). ● Schedule all interviews offered, and then worry about canceling or moving due to conflicts or lack of interest in program. ● Moving an interview usually not possible, you will be waitlisted and lose your set interview day.

Interview Calendar (Ex.) and strategy…

Interviews… ● Interview dates ● Found on auntminnie.com ● Schedule your “dream” programs later ● Switching/Cancelling Interview Dates ● Auntminnie.com ● If you are offered an interview on a day you can’t make, ACCEPT IT IMMEDIATELY AND TRY TO SWITCH DATES LATER! If worse comes to worse, you may need to cancel… ● If you do cancel, make sure to request being put on the waiting list for the other interview dates offered (if other interview dates exist)

Interview Day ● Try your best to attend the night before informal/formal dinners. Residents will attend and it is a great opportunity to see if you mix well with the resident team. Plus, this gives the residents an opportunity to see if you are a good fit ● Interview Day ● 4-6 hour day ● ~15-25 min interviews each (anywhere from 3-6 interviews) ● There may be a resident interview or a group resident interview ● Tour

Interview Day ● Common Interview questions ● Most radiology interviews are very conversational ● No real hard questions ● “Why radiology?” was almost always asked ● “Why do you want to come to our program” ● More questions can be found on auntminnie website. ● Questions to ask ● Always have questions ready (it’s ok to ask the same questions to different interviewers) ● US tech, Overnight attendings, etc.

After the interview ● Most people send thank you notes via . ● For ultimate safety send one to every single interviewer, but most importantly to the program director. ● I sent one to the program coordinator and my was addressed to the “residency selection committee”. ● Probably won’t make or break you, but you will be stressing out about this thank you note stuff.

Ranking ● Rank opens in mid-January; due in end of Feb. ● Rank programs in the order you would want to go; the algorithm works in your favor, beautiful example of the algorithm in action on the nrmp site. ● Rank all the programs that you interview at unless the program is so terrible that you would rather scramble into the <10 open radiology spots in the country than go to the program. Or think you can try again for radiology next year.

The match! ● Cross your fingers…

Some Advice… ● Interview dinners are pretty much for your benefit, Be friendly and courteous. ● Not sure about the dress code? the program coordinator ● Here is where you ask about resident happiness, details of the program, and try to tease out red flags. ● Realize the residents also provide feedback to the program, regardless of what they say. ● This is when you get to ask about moonlighting opportunities. ● Please do not bring up moonlighting during your interviews

More Advice… ● Bring a GPS with you for your rental cars ● Frequent Flyer Miles ● Flight-Tracker Pro App for the iPhone ● EZ-Pass ● Priceline.com for hotels ● Residency Relocation Loan?