ACRO Webinar Series Applying to Radiation Oncology A
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
PRE-APPLICATION
Non-US Seniors Applicants • How can DOs, FMG, and US graduates improve their chances at matching in radiation oncology?
• 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
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
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
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?
Home Program • If a student doesn’t have a home program, what steps would you recommend to help them in their process?
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?
• Uptodate • NCCN Guidelines (www. nccn. org) • AJCC Cancer Staging Manual (7 th Edition) • De. Vita, 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)
APPLICATION
Red/Yellow Flags • When would you tell a medical student not to apply to radiation oncology? • What are common mistakes on the application/interviews?
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?
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
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?
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
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?
INTERVIEWS
Preparation • How can I prepare for the interview?
Choosing Interview Candidates • What is the most important factor in choosing medical students for interviews?
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
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?
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 , 945 - 948
• 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.
RANK LIST
Rank List • What is the most important factor in ranking candidates?
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
- Slides: 28