1. ACRO Webinar Series Applying to Radiation Oncology:
A Program Director's Perspective
Neha Vapiwala, MD
Associate Professor
Vice Chair of Education, Radiation Oncology
Advisory Dean, Perelman School of Medicine
University of Pennsylvania

2. Pre-Application

3. Non-US Seniors Applicants
How can DOs, FMG, and US graduates improve their chances at matching in radiation oncology?

4. 2016 NRMP Main Residency Match was the largest to date and continues to grow each year
42,370 registered applicants and 30,750 positions
US allopathic medical school seniors up 221 to 18,668
Available first-year (PGY-1) positions rose up 567 to 27,860
Since 2012, applicants up 10.6% and primary care positions up 22.4% (2,512)
Rad Onc (along w derm, ortho and vascular surgery) filled all available first-year positions

5. NRMP 2014: Show me the numbers
In 2014, there were 1.2 applicants/position
Rad Onc unmatched rate = 11% for US med school grads and 66% for everyone else
Surprisingly less than 25% are AOA members but almost half are from top 40 U.S. medical schools with the highest NIH funding

6. in 2002 the numbers of osteopathic physicians and IMGs who obtained PGY-1 positions in the Main Residency Match equaled approximately one-third the number of matched US allopathic seniors. By 2015, that proportion had grown to one-half. Chart 2 also displays the number of osteopathic students and graduates who obtained PGY-1 positions in the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) Match.

7. Factors associated with a successful match for international medical graduates
ranking more programs within their preferred specialty
higher USMLE scores
fewer attempts at ECFMG certification exams
U.S. citizenship
English as a native language
ECFMG certification/graduation from medical school closer to the Match year

8. Research Year When should you do a research year?
If I completed a research year, am I expected to have more publications than other candidates?

9. Home Program
If a student doesn’t have a home program, what steps would you recommend to help them in their process?

10. Away Rotations What recommendations do you have about away rotations?
What should medical students work on/study now in order to make a great impression during away rotations?
Are there any suggested texts to help with preparation?

11. Uptodate
NCCN Guidelines (
AJCC Cancer Staging Manual (7th Edition)
DeVita, Hellman and Rosenberg’s Cancer: Principles and Practice of Oncology
Hansen: Handbook of Evidence Based Radiation Oncology (Springer)
Haffty: Handbook of Radiation Oncology, Basic Principles and Clinical Protocols (Jones & Bartlett)

12. Application

13. Red/Yellow Flags
When would you tell a medical student not to apply to radiation oncology?
What are common mistakes on the application/interviews?

14. Step Exams
What advice do you have for students applying to the specialty with a low step 1 score?
Does step 2 CK matter? How about step 2 CS?
When is the optimal time to release step 2 score?

15. Exams are not everything, but they can help get you in the door
USMLE Step 1 mean scores:
US seniors 230.2; independent applicants 219.3
(min passing = 192)
Rad Onc US = 241; independent = 234
USMLE Step 2 mean scores:
US seniors 242.0; independent applicants 227.0
(min passing = 209)
Rad Onc US = 248; independent = 240

16. Research
Is any research enough for my application? Should I focus on more radiation oncology specific research?
If I don’t have a Ph.D, how much of a disadvantage do I have?

17. 2014 NRMP Data: Research Mean Number of Research Experiences
US = 4.6; Independents = 6.4
Mean Number of Abstracts, Presentations, and Publications
US = 12.2; Independents = 11.3

18. Letters of Recommendation
Is it better to get a big wig letter who doesn’t know you or someone who is lesser known but can write you a favorable recommendation letter?
Do residency programs prefer to receive letters of recommendation from radiation oncologists in academic settings over those in private practice?

19. Interviews

20. Preparation
How can I prepare for the interview?

21. Choosing Interview Candidates
What is the most important factor in choosing medical students for interviews?

22. NRMP 2014 Rad Onc PD Survey
Top Factors in selecting applicants to interview (cited by >80% of PD’s)
Rec letters in the specialty
MSPE/Dean’s letter
USMLE Step 1
Research
Personal statements

23. Post-Interview Interaction
Should I ask my mentors to call programs on my behalf?
How do I show interest in a program?
What should I do if I felt like I was asked inappropriate questions during the interview?

24. Code of Conduct for PD’s
Respect applicant’s right to privacy and confidentiality 
Accept responsibility for actions of recruitment team members Refraining from asking illegal or coercive questions 
Do not require second visits or visiting
Discourage unnecessary post-interview communication 
International Journal of Radiation Oncology • Biology • Physics , Volume 93 , Issue 5 ,

25. Programs that fail to adhere to the terms of the Match Participation Agreement will be subjected to a violation investigation as described in Section 8.0 and in The Policies and Procedures for Reporting, Investigation, and Disposition of Violations of NRMP Agreements.

26. Rank List

27. Rank List
What is the most important factor in ranking candidates?

28. NRMP 2014 Rad Onc PD Survey
Top Factors in selecting applicants to rank (cited by >60% of PD’s)
Interpersonal skills
Interactions during interview
Rec Letters
Research
Perceived interest in program