radiology residency interviews

Re: radiology residency interviews

It's true though. There are lots of posts in history that basically say "My spouse is uber-qualified, so we expect to be able to be where we want to be for residency" followed by a post in mid-March saying "We're shell shocked." The match is a fickle bitch, and there are no guarantees -- no matter what the PD's may say. Most of us at least know ONE person who was AOA, published, etc. and ended up either not matching at all, or at an uncomfortably low point on their match list.

Personally I think it's an insane way to do the whole thing, and I couldn't be happier that we're past it. I do wish the very best outcome for you and your husband though!

Re: radiology residency interviews

I couldn't agree more, the match is a fickle bitch.

I don't think what you and your husband are setting out to do is impossible but it makes a competitive match more difficult. Derm is a competitive match and when DH was going through it we knew of several people who had lots of interviews, all the right credentials, and didn't match. We also know someone who had one or two interviews and did match. It does happen and can be done. It doesn't hurt for him to say he is tied to the area but it probably doesn't help a whole lot either.

Oy...the heartburn of the match. Good luck!

[alison]

Re: radiology residency interviews

Something that just occurred to me is that if the university/college you work for is one of the places your husband is applying, you should definitely put this on the table. Perhaps your own department head can get in touch with the program director at the radiology department.

I don't know what your field of work is, but if it's liberal arts (for instance), you really ARE tied to a location. I'd almost say that it's the more inflexible of the two professions.

Re: radiology residency interviews

I am a law professor, no way I can move! Goods idea about contacting the rad department at our university.

[alison]

Re: radiology residency interviews

I am a law professor, no way I can move! Goods idea about contacting the rad department at our university.

Absolutely - get your own dean on your side as well, and have him/her put in a good word for you and your spouse.

I did this, even though I'm a grad student.

[ides]

Re: radiology residency interviews

Good luck. The match is tough and the programs are brutal about who they choose. We tossed a wide net as others have. Not matching wasn't an option for us due to finances, age and other issues -not saying it's a good option for anyone but it is the main reason we cast such a wide net. He applied to 26 programs, interviewed at 16 and ranked 12. In the end we ended up at one of his prefered programs in a city we like. You have a more difficult situation but I probably would have applied to neighboring states as well as Boston (don't know if you did this). It wouldn't be ideal but it would be better than not getting a spot with the option of weekend visits, etc. To repeat- Medicine is a fickle bitch. You have gotten some good suggestions. Best of luck & keep us posted.

[Rapunzel]

Re: radiology residency interviews

DH did his rads residency at BWH.

Basically everyone who gets an interview at BWH, Beth Israel, or MGH is qualified - and looks outstanding on paper. That's par for the course.

The way you get in, however, is much more subjective. You have to "click" with the people who evaluate you. And, trust me, every single dinner and interaction is under scrutiny - every single one. You go out to dinner as an applicant with other applicants and some residents and, guess what? You're all being compared to each other during that "informal get together". It's the only way to decide among a host of highly qualified applicants.

I would agree with the others: In general, with radiology you should cast as wide a net as possible. And, three interviews is far too few for radiology residency applicants. You need double or triple that number of interview invites.

His one leg up in this is that the people at MGH already know him, have worked with him, etc. If he can expand on that already present relationship and they already see him as a kind of resident (unofficial) THEN he's going to be OK. Otherwise I'd say the net needs to be seriously enlarged.

Re: radiology residency interviews

He did not get an interview (yet) at BWH, and is waiting on BI. He got interviews at MAH, BMC and UMassWorcester. His former boss at MGH is pulling for him; she trained the director at MAH and BI, and he did a rotation at MAH as a student, so that is our first hope. BI and BWH are longshots. He did go to a good school (BU) but it ain't Harvard! We did apply to RI (Brown) and Springfield, Mass.

Wish us luck!

Re: radiology residency interviews

Nothing to add as we are in first year of school but this is instructive as we have geography issues also and there are few residencies here.