Advice for VIRMP and radiology residency?

[fingerscrossed687]

Hello everyone. Current third-year veterinary student and am finding myself stressed due to my school's lack of resources regarding internships and residencies. Is there a thread I've missed that compiles the basic information for the match process including when to apply, what materials you need to apply, what experiences make you a better candidate, etc.? Do most applicants apply during their fourth year as a veterinary student? I've looked on the VIRMP's site and read through that information, but I feel like I'm behind and not prepared for when it comes time for myself to apply. I'm interested in a radiology residency in the long run and would like to match with a rotating internship as my first step to that goal. I feel that my grades are a strong point, but I am worried as I have not done research during school and have no unique radiology experiences. Thank you in advance for any advice!

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[SkiOtter]

@allygator13 for radiology things

 

[that redhead]

Hello everyone. Current third-year veterinary student and am finding myself stressed due to my school's lack of resources regarding internships and residencies. Is there a thread I've missed that compiles the basic information for the match process including when to apply, what materials you need to apply, what experiences make you a better candidate, etc.? Do most applicants apply during their fourth year as a veterinary student? I've looked on the VIRMP's site and read through that information, but I feel like I'm behind and not prepared for when it comes time for myself to apply. I'm interested in a radiology residency in the long run and would like to match with a rotating internship as my first step to that goal. I feel that my grades are a strong point, but I am worried as I have not done research during school and have no unique radiology experiences. Thank you in advance for any advice!

What sorts of resources were you expecting? Have you talked to any current interns or residents at your school?

Most people go through VIRMP which is pretty clear in regards to timeline and needed application materials.

 

[sam125]

What sorts of resources were you expecting? Have you talked to any current interns or residents at your school?

Most people go through VIRMP which is pretty clear in regards to timeline and needed application materials.

A google search also yields a ton of free reference materials. I’m sure the faculty clinicians at your school, most of whom have gone through the match, would also be happy to answer any specific questions you have that aren’t already readily available online.

 

[that redhead]

A google search also yields a ton of free reference materials. I’m sure the faculty clinicians at your school, most of whom have gone through the match, would also be happy to answer any specific questions you have that aren’t already readily available online.

Not to mention reaching out to your specialty of choice professors/clinicians to let them know you’re interested and ask them about their path and the field. Networking is important for all specialties.

 

[fingerscrossed687]

What sorts of resources were you expecting? Have you talked to any current interns or residents at your school?

Most people go through VIRMP which is pretty clear in regards to timeline and needed application materials.

Thanks for the reply. I have emailed a few of the interns and residents at the school, but I do not have close relationships with any of them and they have not replied to my emails. Our spring semester has not started yet, so I plan to ask residents and interns present at future labs. I am mainly looking for resources regarding what makes a stronger applicant for the match process, as I mentioned in my original post that I do not have research hours in veterinary school.

 

[fingerscrossed687]

Not to mention reaching out to your specialty of choice professors/clinicians to let them know you’re interested and ask them about their path and the field. Networking is important for all specialties.

This is a good point, and what I ideally would have done. However, my university has had staffing issues in the past year and the majority of our surgeons and radiologists have left the university and found different jobs. As a result, we have been taught radiology by an outside source called VetCT this past semester and not by faculty at the school.

 

[JaynaAli]

It will be very hard to get into a specialty without a strong letter of recommendation from a specialist in that field, so I would prioritize finding experiences in that specialty if you don’t already have any/many. In general, it’s far easier to find opportunities and mentorship as a student than as a graduate trying to work full time. If you get an internship at a place with a radiologist that’s good too but I had much much much more free time to travel for externships, to network at conferences, and just hang out with the pathologists at my school as a student than I ever would have had as an intern. I am not a radiologist but you essentially won’t get a residency in my specialty without having a good letter of recommendation from someone in our field no matter how good your grades are. So if your school doesn’t have a radiologist I think you should be trying very hard to find some you can spend time with whether that’s a rotation during your clinical year or someone within a reasonable drive you can shadow.

 

[that redhead]

This is a good point, and what I ideally would have done. However, my university has had staffing issues in the past year and the majority of our surgeons and radiologists have left the university and found different jobs. As a result, we have been taught radiology by an outside source called VetCT this past semester and not by faculty at the school.

Even if you are taught by outside people, they are still likely boarded radiologists, right? So ask them too! Be as proactive as possible. Unfortunately I don’t think any school has some magical “resource” that will lay out how to be successful. Demonstrating your own resourcefulness and initiative are part of the game.

Instead of emailing, go down to the teaching hospital and ask around. Or like you mentioned during classes or labs you may have with them. They’re probably pretty busy and an email from a random student isn’t going to be their top priority. If they can put a face to a name it will make at least a little more of a connection.

And like Jayna said, use your externships to rotate where you can network! This will also require some leg work in your part, so don’t wait for your school to tell you where to go; seek out the best opportunities for yourself. Good luck

 

[VIN-Foundation]

Since you are a 3rd year, your first step is to get a rotating internship. This is practically a prerequisite for most radiology residences. Assuming you are in a 4-year program, you would apply for internships late fall in your 4th year. If you are still interested in a radiology residency at that point, you should try to get an internship at a place with board-certified radiologists that you are able to work with.

The main things internship programs are looking at are grades/class rank and letters of recommendations. You should strive to do a great job on your clinical rotations so you can get excellent letters. You don't need to focus on just radiology at this point.

Good luck!

 

[fingerscrossed687]

It will be very hard to get into a specialty without a strong letter of recommendation from a specialist in that field, so I would prioritize finding experiences in that specialty if you don’t already have any/many. In general, it’s far easier to find opportunities and mentorship as a student than as a graduate trying to work full time. If you get an internship at a place with a radiologist that’s good too but I had much much much more free time to travel for externships, to network at conferences, and just hang out with the pathologists at my school as a student than I ever would have had as an intern. I am not a radiologist but you essentially won’t get a residency in my specialty without having a good letter of recommendation from someone in our field no matter how good your grades are. So if your school doesn’t have a radiologist I think you should be trying very hard to find some you can spend time with whether that’s a rotation during your clinical year or someone within a reasonable drive you can shadow.

Thank you for the reply! I'm going to do my best to start networking and make connections with radiologists. I've come to realize that I was a bit too focused on my grades and have neglected reaching out to veterinary professionals and establishing connections with them.

 

[fingerscrossed687]

Even if you are taught by outside people, they are still likely boarded radiologists, right? So ask them too! Be as proactive as possible. Unfortunately I don’t think any school has some magical “resource” that will lay out how to be successful. Demonstrating your own resourcefulness and initiative are part of the game.

Instead of emailing, go down to the teaching hospital and ask around. Or like you mentioned during classes or labs you may have with them. They’re probably pretty busy and an email from a random student isn’t going to be their top priority. If they can put a face to a name it will make at least a little more of a connection.

And like Jayna said, use your externships to rotate where you can network! This will also require some leg work in your part, so don’t wait for your school to tell you where to go; seek out the best opportunities for yourself. Good luck

Thank you! My own worst enemy is myself as I'm really not a sociable person and find that networking is difficult for me. However, that is not an excuse and just something I am going to have to work through in order to help myself and my goals. One of my externships will be at large emergency hospital with three boarded radiologists (I have worked with two of them previously, but do not know them well), and I think that opportunity will be a good place to start fortifying my relationship with them. I appreciate your responses and advice!

 

[fingerscrossed687]

Since you are a 3rd year, your first step is to get a rotating internship. This is practically a prerequisite for most radiology residences. Assuming you are in a 4-year program, you would apply for internships late fall in your 4th year. If you are still interested in a radiology residency at that point, you should try to get an internship at a place with board-certified radiologists that you are able to work with.

The main things internship programs are looking at are grades/class rank and letters of recommendations. You should strive to do a great job on your clinical rotations so you can get excellent letters. You don't need to focus on just radiology at this point.

Good luck!

Thank you for the reply. I am in a 4-year program, so I do fortunately have a little more time to make some connections with faculty. This makes me feel better about the overall process, and I am looking forward to rotations to get a gauge of clinical work and all the specialties!

 

[allygator13]

Sorry I'm late to this thread, I'm at my in-laws for the holidays and haven't been on my computer, but feel free to PM me about radiology-specific things. The advice given here already has been great though!