What will help me get my top choices in radiology?

[Bandicoot]

I know that radiology has really been dropping in competitiveness lately... What I want to know though, is how I can be the best looking applicant for my top choice schools? What are they looking for?

How much does research matter? Haven't dipped my feet in research yet but I will. Do pubs matter in radiology?

Currently M2 and have really taken an interest in radiology lately. Thanks!

[Snowmen]

The best bang for your buck is definitely to do electives (and ace them) where you'd like to match.

[Edict]

On 4/26/2019 at 9:48 AM, Bandicoot said:

I know that radiology has really been dropping in competitiveness lately... What I want to know though, is how I can be the best looking applicant for my top choice schools? What are they looking for?

How much does research matter? Haven't dipped my feet in research yet but I will. Do pubs matter in radiology?

Currently M2 and have really taken an interest in radiology lately. Thanks!

Pubs probably do matter in radiology. Doing electives where you want to match is the must do thing, but often you need a cherry on top and that can come in the form of research or other meaningful ECs. Also, know your target, if your top choice is a research heavy school, they may value research more. I've heard from a few toronto rads staff that research is valued.

Also for rads, look up the residents and see if they have publications. You may be surprised. 

 

[Lactic Folly]

Agree - you can't do electives at every school, and remember most people will have similarly positive evals and references, so you need to stand out in some way to get interviews at schools you haven't done electives at (that being said, what they might be looking for can be variable).

[CaRMSThrowaway]

I am someone who just matched into radiology. I had 13 radiology interviews and matched to my first choice. Feel free to PM me your questions. I am happy to help as much as I can.