Step 1: Explore the Specialty
Before you pursue a career in Radiology, it's important to be well informed about the specialty. We've put together a great collection of articles and resources which are essential reading for the aspiring radiologist.
These articles will give you a better idea of the pros and cons of a career in the field, trends in the specialty, and hot-topic issues for trainees.
Step 2: Review Radiology Match Data
The competitiveness of diagnostic radiology has fluctuated widely over the past 15 years. The 7th most competitive specialty in 2009, radiology fell to 15th among a group of 21 specialties in 2014, mainly due to concerns about the job market.
However, interest in diagnostic radiology as a career among U.S. allopathic medical students has rebounded over the past 5 years. In fact, in the 2024 NRMP Match, 12% of US MD senior applicants failed to match, a far cry from 2014 when there were 81 unfilled positions.
Osteopathic and international medical graduates find it harder, with failure to match rates of 32% and 57%, respectively. However, the outlook for osteopathic students and IMGs has improved over time. In a study looking at trends over time, researchers found that while the proportion of positions filled by US graduates declined from 89.7% (in 2006) to 69.2% (in 2020), the proportion filled by osteopathic seniors and graduates increased from 2.2% to 15.1% over the same time. For US IMGs, the proportion increased from 3.2% to 5.4%, while non-US IMGs increased from 4.4% to 9.4%.
Radiology-Charting Outcomes in the Match for U.S. MD 2024
Charting Outcomes™: Characteristics of U.S. MD Seniors Who Matched to Their Preferred Specialty: 2024 Main Residency Match®
Radiology-Charting Outcomes in the Match for U.S. DO 2024
Charting Outcomes™: Characteristics of U.S. DO Seniors Who Matched to Their Preferred Specialty: 2024 Main Residency Match®
Radiology-Charting Outcomes in the Match for IMGs 2024
National Resident Matching Program, Charting Outcomes in the Match for International Medical Graduates, 2018. National Resident Matching Program, Washington, DC 2018.
Step 3: Understand Residency Selection Criteria
"We typically receive over 700 applications for 12 residency positions," writes the Department of Radiology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
To maximize your chances of matching with your first-choice residency program in radiology, you must become well informed as early as possible. In particular, you need to know the criteria residency programs use to select residents.
We recommend beginning with the following resources:
Radiology-2024 NRMP Program Director Survey
Charting Outcomes™: Program Director Survey Results, 2024 Main Residency Match®
Check out these other recommended resources
Step 4: Develop your Strategy for Success
The process of matching into the specialty and/or program of your choice begins well before it’s time to work on the residency application. Success is the culmination of many decisions and actions that take place over a period of several years.
Many medical students struggle to become strong residency applicants not because they are not talented or hardworking, but because they lack knowledge or guidance about the actions they should take to position themselves for future success.
Complicating matters even further is the rapidly changing landscape in residency admissions making it difficult for both residency applicants and mentors to stay well informed. A recent study showed that 75% of faculty advisors had advising concerns due to lack of knowledge of current practices or recent changes to the residency application.
As competition for positions in the radiology residency match intensifies, it's more important than ever to be an informed candidate who has the "right" strategy for success. To develop the optimal strategy, use our book, The Successful Match. It's been designated recommended or required reading by the Association of American Medical Colleges, American Medical Women's Association, and numerous allopathic and osteopathic medical schools.
AMSA wrote the book "provides the medical student reader with detailed preparation for the matching process." Fully updated in 2025 with over 1,000 pages of powerful information, the book is a must-have resource to help you stand out from the competition. For more powerful information, sign up for our weekly update.
Step 5: Make the Most of your Preclinical Years
Step 6: Apply for Scholarships and Awards
Winning medical school scholarships and awards can provide a major boost to your residency application, and set you apart from your peers. Awards can be placed in the application, MSPE (Dean's Letter), letters of recommendation, and CV. We have found that interviewers often ask about awards during residency interviews.
Step 7: Assess your USMLE Step 1 Score or COMLEX 1 Score
Your USMLE Step 1 or COMLEX 1 exam score is a major factor used by radiology residency programs in the selection process. In 2018, the mean USMLE Step 1 and COMLEX 1 scores among matched students were 240 and 613, respectively. Among unmatched U.S. seniors and osteopathic students, the mean scores were 223 and 540, respectively.
Step 8: Strive for Success During Clerkships, Observerships and Externships
Grades in required or core clerkships are very important to radiology residency programs. In a survey of radiology residency programs, 84% cited "grades in required clerkships" as a factor in selecting applicants to interview. “Selection criteria are subjective,” writes the Department of Radiology at UCSF. “Most important are evaluations and grades in clinical rotations, with special regard to performance in the core clerkships…”
Step 9: Prepare a Powerful Residency Application
Step 10: Develop a Powerful Personal Statement
Step 11: Deliver an Impressive Interview Performance
What if I didn't match?
If you were unsuccessful during your initial match cycle, you'll need to sit down with your dean or advisor to review your match strategy. In planning your reapplication, each of the steps above becomes even more important.
For those who seek additional expert assistance, we can provide that. Dr. Desai has had significant experience in helping re-applicants match successfully.
This is provided via a Strategy for Success Session. Dr. Desai will perform a comprehensive review of your credentials, assess your strengths and weaknesses, and provide you with a specific plan to implement tailored to your unique situation.