Are you wondering how to match into radiation oncology? Or how many radiation oncology residency programs are there? Do you want to know everything there is about radiation oncology residency interviews? Need to know how many interviews to match in radiation oncology?
In this article, you’ll learn everything you need to match into radiation oncology.
Summary:
- Radiation oncology is less competitive, in part due to the low % of unmatched US Seniors.
- In part due to the volume of applications, radiation oncology residency programs use standardized screens modestly to “weed out” applicants.
- The most successful applicants won’t fail any USMLE, have good USMLE scores, a stellar MSPE, and demonstrate lots of interest in programs
- Historically, most radiation oncology interview invites occur before December 31, and the vast majority before January 31.
Table of Contents
How Competitive is it to Match into Radiation Oncology?
How competitive is it to match into radiation oncology in the US? Here we have an unmatched % of US seniors by specialty. The “Unmatched %” means the % of US seniors who applied to radiation oncology who did not match during the given year.
Among US Seniors, the unmatched percentage in radiation oncology was only 1.9%, categorizing it among the least competitive specialties among US residencies. Alongside child neurology, emergency medicine, and pediatrics, radiation oncology is positioned among the least competitive specialties based on match rates among various fields.
For more on the competitiveness of radiation oncology relative to other medical specialties, see this article.
How Many Radiation Oncology Residency Programs Are There?
Before we discuss how many radiation oncology residency programs there are in the US, let’s review some terminology. For many specialized residency programs (e.g., anesthesiology, dermatology, radiology, radiation oncology, etc.), the specialty training begins during the second year of residency. This second year is also known as the PGY-2 (post-graduate year 2, for the second year after graduating from medical school).
Categorical vs. Advanced vs. Physician Radiation Oncology Programs
Radiation oncology has three different kinds of residency programs applicants can potentially enter: categorical, advanced, and physician (R).
Categorical refers to programs that include all years of residency training. Radiation oncology residency lasts five years. The first year of training, however, is a “preliminary” year that can be either internal medicine, surgery, or transitional (a sort of grab-bag that will depend on the hospital). Some programs include the PGY-1 “intern” year – these programs are known as “categorical” programs.
Others, however, require applicants to match separately into an intern year. These programs, which begin in the PGY-2 years, are referred to as “advanced” positions.
Finally, others who have already completed at least a year of residency training may be eligible for a “physician” radiation oncology position. These positions allow applicants to move directly into the PGY-2 specialty training and skip the PGY-1 year. This arrangement may be ideal for those who want to complete residency sooner and not have to repeat their intern year.
How Many Radiation Oncology Residency Programs and Positions Are There?
In the 2022 NRMP Match, there were:
- 5 radiation oncology programs offering 10 PGY-1 (categorical) positions,
- 83 radiation oncology programs offering 166 PGY-2 (advanced) positions, and
- 7 radiation oncology programs offering 9 Physician (R) positions
Thus, the total number of radiation oncology positions in 2022 was 10 + 166+ 8 =184. There were at least 95 radiation oncology programs in 2022. However, it is unclear how many more than that there were since many of the residency programs that offer advanced and/or physician positions also offer categorical ones.
See the 2022 Main Residency Match Results and Data for more information on radiation oncology match statistics.
How to Match into Radiation Oncology: Impressing Program Directors
To match into radiation oncology, you must first be invited to interview. According to the most recent program director (PD) survey from 2021, PDs shared what they look for in candidates they hope to interview.
For radiation oncology, the top five most important characteristics for receiving an interview, according to program directors, were:
- Professionalism and ethics
- Perceived commitment to the specialty
- MSPE
- Leadership qualities
- Perceived interest in the program
The same data are presented more fully in a table. Here you will see the % of program director respondents who cited a factor as important for granting an interview, as well as the mean importance score (out of 5).
To balance the breadth of program directors citing each factor with the importance given to each factor, a “composite score” was created. This composite score takes the average of the % respondents citing a factor with the importance score scaled to 100%. For example, if 80% of PDs cited a given factor, with a mean importance score of 5.0 (out of 5), the composite score would be 90%. (The average of 80% of PDs citing with 5/5 – or 100% – for the mean importance, for a composite score of 90%).
| Radiation Oncology: Characteristics Considered in Deciding Whom to INTERVIEW (% of Respondents Endorsing) | Radiation Oncology: Characteristics Considered in Deciding Whom to INTERVIEW (Mean Importance / 5) | Radiation Oncology: Characteristics Considered for Interview Composite Score (Average of % Respondents Endorsing and Mean Importance / 5) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professionalism and Ethics | 76.9% | 4.7 | 85.5% |
| Perceived Commitment to Specialty | 76.9% | 4.5 | 83.5% |
| MSPE | 76.9% | 4.4 | 82.5% |
| Leadership Qualities | 76.9% | 4.4 | 82.5% |
| Perceived Interest in Program | 76.9% | 4.3 | 81.5% |
| Diversity Characteristics | 76.9% | 4.1 | 79.5% |
| Class Ranking/Quartile | 84.6% | 3.6 | 78.3% |
| USMLE Step 1 Score | 84.6% | 3.5 | 77.3% |
| Personal Statement (Overall) | 76.9% | 3.8 | 76.5% |
| Grades in Required Clerkships | 69.2% | 4.1 | 75.6% |
| Involvement and Interest in Research | 76.9% | 3.6 | 74.5% |
| Letters of Recommendation in Specialty | 61.5% | 4.2 | 72.8% |
| Volunteer/Extracurricular Experience | 69.2% | 3.7 | 71.6% |
| Grades in Clerkship in Preferred Specialty | 61.5% | 4 | 70.8% |
| Other Life Experience | 69.2% | 3.4 | 68.6% |
| Interest in Academic Career | 53.8% | 4 | 66.9% |
| Awards/Honors, Clerkship in Preferred Specialty | 69.2% | 3.2 | 66.6% |
| Audition Elective/Rotation in PD's Dept | 46.2% | 4.1 | 64.1% |
| Consistency of Grades | 53.8% | 3.7 | 63.9% |
| Having Overcome Significant Obstacles | 53.8% | 3.7 | 63.9% |
| Any Failed USMLE Attempt | 38.5% | 4.4 | 63.3% |
| Any Failed COMLEX-USA Attempt | 30.8% | 4.5 | 60.4% |
| Personal Prior Knowledge of Applicant | 38.5% | 4 | 59.3% |
| Awards/Honors in Clinical Clerkships | 53.8% | 3 | 56.9% |
| AOA Membership | 46.2% | 3.3 | 56.1% |
| Medical School Reputation | 38.5% | 3.6 | 55.3% |
| Medical School Accreditation Status | 38.5% | 3.5 | 54.3% |
| USMLE Step 2 CK Score | 53.8% | 2.7 | 53.9% |
| GHHS Membership | 38.5% | 3.4 | 53.3% |
| Away Rotation in Specialty Elsewhere | 38.5% | 3.3 | 52.3% |
| NRMP Flag for Match Violation | 7.7% | 4.8 | 51.9% |
| Continuous Medical Education w/o Gaps | 23.1% | 4 | 51.6% |
| Visa Status | 23.1% | 3.6 | 47.6% |
| Awards/Honors in Basic Sciences | 46.2% | 2.3 | 46.1% |
| COMLEX-USA Level 1 score | 7.7% | 4 | 43.9% |
| COMLEX-USA Level 2 CE Score | 7.7% | 4 | 43.9% |
| Sigma Sigma Phi Membership | 7.7% | 4 | 43.9% |
| Ability to Work Legally w/o Visa | 7.7% | 4 | 43.9% |
| Fluency in Language of Pt Population | 15.4% | 3 | 37.7% |
| Passing USMLE Step 2 CS | 15.4% | 2.5 | 32.7% |
| USMLE Step 3 Score | 15.4% | 2.5 | 32.7% |
| Passing COMLEX-USA Level 2 PE | 0.0% | 0.0% | |
| COMLEX-USA Level 3 Score | 0.0% | 0.0% | |
| How Medical School Handled Virtual Rotations | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Here are the composite scores for the criteria radiation oncology program directors use for grading interviews.
What Do Radiation Oncology Program Directors Look for When Ranking Applicants?
Getting an interview is only part of the process of matching into radiation oncology. Program directors also rank the most important factors for creating their rank order list.
In the 2021 Program Director Survey, radiation oncology PDs rated these criteria as most important for deciding whom to rank:
- Perceived commitment to the specialty
- Interpersonal skills
- Interactions with faculty during interview/visit
- MSPE
- Diversity characteristics
We can see the full list here:
| Radiation Oncology: Characteristics Considered in Deciding Whom to RANK (% of Respondents Endorsing) | Radiation Oncology: Characteristics Considered in Deciding Whom to RANK (Mean Importance / 5) | Radiation Oncology: Characteristics Considered for Rank Composite Score (Average of % Respondents Endorsing and Mean Importance / 5) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perceived Commitment to Specialty | 76.9% | 4.6 | 84.5% |
| Interpersonal Skills | 69.2% | 4.9 | 83.6% |
| Interactions with Faculty During Interview/Visit | 69.2% | 4.9 | 83.6% |
| MSPE | 76.9% | 4.3 | 81.5% |
| Diversity Characteristics | 76.9% | 4.3 | 81.5% |
| Feedback from Current Residents | 69.2% | 4.6 | 80.6% |
| Interactions with House Staff During Interview/Visit | 61.5% | 4.8 | 78.8% |
| Letters of Recommendation in Specialty | 61.5% | 4.6 | 76.8% |
| Professionalism and Ethics | 61.5% | 4.6 | 76.8% |
| Consistency of Grades | 69.2% | 4 | 74.6% |
| Grades in Required Clerkships | 69.2% | 3.9 | 73.6% |
| Leadership Qualities | 53.8% | 4.4 | 70.9% |
| USMLE Step 1 Score | 69.2% | 3.6 | 70.6% |
| Perceived Interest in Program | 53.8% | 4.3 | 69.9% |
| Involvement and Interest in Research | 61.5% | 3.8 | 68.8% |
| Class Ranking/Quartile | 53.8% | 4.1 | 67.9% |
| Personal Prior Knowledge of Applicant | 53.8% | 4.1 | 67.9% |
| Personal Statement | 69.2% | 3.3 | 67.6% |
| Having Overcome Significant Obstacles | 61.5% | 3.6 | 66.8% |
| Volunteer/Extracurricular Experience | 53.8% | 3.9 | 65.9% |
| Any Failed USMLE Attempt | 30.8% | 5 | 65.4% |
| Grades in Clerkship in Preferred Specialty | 46.2% | 4.2 | 65.1% |
| Any Failed COMLEX-USA Attempt | 23.1% | 5 | 61.6% |
| Other Life Experience | 46.2% | 3.8 | 61.1% |
| Audition Elective/Rotation in PD's Dept | 46.2% | 3.8 | 61.1% |
| Interest in Academic Career | 38.5% | 4 | 59.3% |
| Away Rotation in Specialty Elsewhere | 46.2% | 3.5 | 58.1% |
| Medical School Reputation | 38.5% | 3.6 | 55.3% |
| AOA Membership | 38.5% | 3.4 | 53.3% |
| GHHS Membership | 38.5% | 3.4 | 53.3% |
| Awards/Honors, Clerkship in Preferred Specialty | 30.8% | 3.5 | 50.4% |
| Continuous Medical Education w/o Gaps | 15.4% | 4 | 47.7% |
| Sigma Sigma Phi Membership | 15.4% | 4 | 47.7% |
| NRMP Flag for Match Violation | 15.4% | 4 | 47.7% |
| USMLE Step 2 CK Score | 30.8% | 2.8 | 43.4% |
| Passing USMLE Step 2 CS | 15.4% | 3.5 | 42.7% |
| Awards/Honors in Clinical Clerkships | 23.1% | 3 | 41.6% |
| Awards/Honors in Basic Sciences | 23.1% | 3 | 41.6% |
| Other Post-Interview Contact | 7.7% | 3.7 | 40.9% |
| Applicant Facility with Meeting Platform Tech | 15.4% | 3.3 | 40.7% |
| Medical School Accreditation Status | 15.4% | 3 | 37.7% |
| Fluency in Language of Patient Population | 15.4% | 3 | 37.7% |
| Ability to Work Legally w/o Visa | 15.4% | 3 | 37.7% |
| Visa Status | 23.1% | 2.3 | 34.6% |
| COMLEX-USA Level 2 CE Score | 7.7% | 3 | 33.9% |
| COMLEX-USA Level 1 score | 7.7% | 3 | 33.9% |
| USMLE Step 3 Score | 7.7% | 3 | 33.9% |
| Passing COMLEX-USA Level 2 PE | 0.0% | 0.0% | |
| COMLEX-USA Level 3 Score | 0.0% | 0.0% | |
| How Medical School Handled Virtual Rotations | 0.0% | 0.0% | |
| Second Interview/Visit | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Finally, we can see the composite scores for criteria used to rank radiation oncology applicants.
What Characteristics Do Successful Radiation Oncology Applicants Share?
Here are the characteristics of matched vs. unmatched US seniors applying to radiation oncology.
| Matched | Unmatched | |
|---|---|---|
| Mean number of contiguous ranks, US Senior | 17.6 | 4 |
| Mean number of distinct specialties ranked, US Senior | 1.3 | 1.5 |
| Step 1, US Senior | 240 | 209 |
| Step 2, US Senior | 249 | 232 |
| Mean number of research experiences, US Senior | 4.5 | |
| Mean number of abstracts, presentations, and publications, US Senior | 13.3 | |
| Mean number of work experiences, US Senior | 3.5 | |
| Mean number of volunteer experiences, US Senior | 8 | |
| Percentage who are AOA members, US Senior | 14.8 | 0 |
| Percentage who graduated from one of the 40 U.S. medical schools with the highest NIH funding, US Senior | 35.8 | 50 |
| Percentage who have Ph.D. degree, US Senior | 19.7 | |
| Percentage who have another graduate degree, US Senior | 18.7 |
Match Into Radiation Oncology: Pass the Screens with High USMLEs
Radiation oncology relies on standardized screens to weed out applicants. In the 2021 Program Director Survey, radiation oncology PD respondents reported that only 13% of applications were rejected via standardized screen.
What Are the Step 1 and Step 2 CK Cut-Offs for Interviews in Radiation Oncology?
Many programs screen out applicants with failed USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK (see below). In addition, PDs use Step 1 and Step 2 CK score cut-offs to weed out applicants.
Step 1 CK Cut-Off data was not provided for radiation oncology, but you can see other specialty data below.
Similarly, Step 2 CK Cut-Off data was not provided for radiation oncology, but you can see other specialty data below.
For more on the USMLE cut-off scores for granting interviews – or weeding out applicants – see this article.
If I Fail Step 1, Can I Still Match Into Radiation Oncology?
If you failed Step 1, you might wonder if you can still match into radiation oncology. In the most recent program director survey addressing this question, we can see that radiation oncology programs are relatively unforgiving if you’ve failed Step 1.
In 2020, in radiation oncology, 40% of PDs reported they “never” consider applicants who fail Step 1, while 60% would “seldom” consider it. That being said, 0% of child neurology programs “often” consider someone with a Step 1 CK fail.
Did you fail Step 1 and are wondering what you can do to recover? Read this article and consider scheduling a consultation.
If I Fail Step 2 CK, Can I Still Match Into Radiation Oncology?
Similarly, you may wonder what your chances of matching into radiation oncology are if you fail Step 2 CK. Just like with Step 1, radiation oncology PDs are unforgiving for not passing Step 2 CK.
In 2020, in radiation oncology, 50% of PDs reported they “never” consider applicants who fail Step 2 CK, while 50% would “seldom” consider it. That being said, 0% of child neurology programs “often” consider someone with a Step 2 CK fail.
Did you fail Step 2 CK and wonder what you can do to recover? Read this article and consider scheduling a consultation.
How Many Publications for Radiation Oncology Residency in 2022
Research is an important characteristic for matching into many specialties, particularly the most competitive. So, how many publications do you need to match into a radiation oncology residency?
In 2022, the mean number of abstracts, presentations, and publications for US seniors who matched into radiation oncology was 13.3. The mean number of research experiences was 4.5.
Do I Need an MD-PhD to Become a Radiation Oncology?
You may wonder how much an MD-PhD helps with matching into radiation oncology. It appears having a PhD does not confer any discernible advantage when applying to radiation oncology.
Note that those with PhDs are relatively rare among radiation oncology residents. In fact, no (0%) matched applicants into radiation oncology had a PhD in 2022.
Radiation Oncology Residency Interviews
When you apply to radiation oncology, you may be wondering what the chances of getting an interview are. Here we present the outcomes of applicants per the 2021 NRMP Program Director Survey.
Note that radiation oncology uses standardized screens to reduce the number of applicants. Roughly 13% of applicants that year were eliminated via a screen (e.g., Step 2 CK scores, visa status, failed a USMLE in the past, etc.).
When Are Radiation Oncology Residency Interview Invites Sent vs. Conducted?
When you apply for residency, you’ll be doing a lot of waiting. Specifically, you’ll be waiting to hear whether – and when – you will be able to interview.
Want to know when you might expect to hear from radiation oncology programs regarding your residency application? Here are when programs typically extend and conduct interviews. Note that the most recent data are from 2020.
Here are the same data presented differently. Note that due to rounding, sometimes the percentages can add up to more than 100%.
How Many Interviews to Match in Radiation Oncology?
How many interviews to match in radiation oncology with confidence? For US Seniors, the magic number of interviews needed to match into radiation oncology is 9. In 2022, having 9+ interviews (and ranking them all on their match list) led to a 100% chance of matching.
How Many Interviews to Match in Radiation Oncology as an IMG?
For IMGs, because of so few candidates, the numbers become considerably “noisier,” and can’t be interpreted with much confidence.
Concluding Thoughts
Matching into radiation oncology is a challenging proposition. The challenge may feel more daunting if we have perceived weaknesses in our application, or if we want to match in a top program, a desirable location, and/or a couples match.
The good news? How to match into radiation oncology depends largely on things you can control – your USMLEs, your clinical performance/MSPEs, whether you fail Step 1 or Step 2 CK, and how much interest you show in programs.
Looking for a Radiation Oncology Residency Advisor?
Looking for a radiation oncology residency advisor? Want help writing your personal statement? Need effective strategies for interviewing? Do you have things on your application – e.g., low USMLE scores, failed USMLEs, no research, IMG status, or others – you need help overcoming?
Be sure to check out our Residency Advisor service.
