Radiation Oncology is one of the most competitive specialties besides Radiology and the Surgical specialties especially for IMGs. Following the tips and tricks used by applicants over the past few years will boost your ERAS application and give you a good forward push towards a successful match in radiation oncology.
What do program directors looks into in an applicant CV:
PDs in general demand research experience to feel confident enough to invite you to the interview. Other things they look into are your scores, previous residency and observerships.
Who conducts the interviews?
In contrary to other specialties, rad/onc interviews will be carried out by physicists and radiobiologists in addition to the program directors and faculty members.
The average scores for AMGs who matched in Rad-Onc in USMLE step 1 and 2 CK are 240 and 244 respectively.
About 92% of positions offered in the match go to AMGs and about 8% of positions go to IMGs. About 85% of AMGs who apply do match and about 33% of IMGs who apply do successfully match.
During your medical school rotations try to schedule your electives mainly in radiation oncology to get touch-base with the attendings so you will get LORs from them later on. Also you need a book to impress the faculty you are interacting with and increase your knowledge at the same time. Most people who match will have the ** Handbook of Evidence-Based Radiation Oncology **. During interviews, at most of them, you will be asked about radiation oncology books you have read, and having the answer ready, as above, will further push your ranking up in the NRMP match.
We also strongly recommend that you have the same book as AMGs in your shelf, namely the ** Handbook of Evidence-Based Radiation Oncology ** as above. Applicants are also differentiated based on the knowledge and their interest in the domain they are applying to, so be ready.
What do program directors looks into in an applicant CV:
PDs in general demand research experience to feel confident enough to invite you to the interview. Other things they look into are your scores, previous residency and observerships.
Who conducts the interviews?
In contrary to other specialties, rad/onc interviews will be carried out by physicists and radiobiologists in addition to the program directors and faculty members.
What are the average scores for AMGs and IMGs who match in radiation oncology residency?
For IMGs who matched in Rad-Onc the average scores in USMLE step 1 and 2 CK are 241 and 246 respectively.
What are the match statistics for Radiation Oncology Residency?
About 92% of positions offered in the match go to AMGs and about 8% of positions go to IMGs. About 85% of AMGs who apply do match and about 33% of IMGs who apply do successfully match.
What should AMGs do to increase their chances to match in Rad-Onc?
During your medical school rotations try to schedule your electives mainly in radiation oncology to get touch-base with the attendings so you will get LORs from them later on. Also you need a book to impress the faculty you are interacting with and increase your knowledge at the same time. Most people who match will have the ** Handbook of Evidence-Based Radiation Oncology **. During interviews, at most of them, you will be asked about radiation oncology books you have read, and having the answer ready, as above, will further push your ranking up in the NRMP match.
What should IMGs do to increase their chances in matching in Radiation Oncology?
Doing observerships and getting US LORs is an important part of your ERAS application where program directors will be looking for such information.
We also strongly recommend that you have the same book as AMGs in your shelf, namely the ** Handbook of Evidence-Based Radiation Oncology ** as above. Applicants are also differentiated based on the knowledge and their interest in the domain they are applying to, so be ready.
I matched already, what should I do to survive Radiation Oncology residency?
To survive radiation oncology residency you will need to get some books which are needed to build up your knowledge and other books to help you pass the inservice and board exams. These books are traditionally recommended by program directors and widely used by residents, you can find them here:
** Recommended Radiation Oncology Books **
** Recommended Radiation Oncology Books **
