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Diagnostic Radiology Residency: How to Apply

We currently have 7 PGY-2 positions (4 year program), 1 PGY-1 position (5 year program, includes Internal Medicine preliminary year at University of Utah) in our Diagnostic Radiology program. We strive to compose a diverse class of trainees that have unique talents and perspectives to enrich our program.  We encourage qualified applicants from all regions of the country, those with unique backgrounds, women and under-represented minorities to apply. University of Utah is a wonderful place to train!

We participate in the National Resident Matching Program ® (NRMP®) and only accept applications and supporting documents via the Electronic Resident Application Service ® (ERAS®). Applications must be completed in full prior to your interview. Please see our eligibility requirements. The preferred application deadline for our program is October 1. Applications submitted after this date may be considered, but interview invitations will be subject to availability.

Due to the high number of applications we receive, we will be utilizing the program signals and geographic preferences offered in ERAS along with our holistic application review to consider which candidates to invite for an interview.

To process your application, we require the materials listed below:

  • Common ERAS® application form
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Personal statement
  • Medical school transcript
  • Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE)
  • United States Medical Licensing Examination®  (USMLE®) Step 1 result*
  • USMLE® Step 2 CK and CS result when available*
  • Three letters of recommendation
    • If candidate is in or has completed the qualifying year, one letter must be from your current/most recent program director

* COMLEX scores may be substituted for USMLE ® scores.

Eligibility

  1. Applicants must meet one of the following qualifications to be eligible for appointment to an ACGME-accredited program:
    1. be a graduate from a medical school in the United States or Canada, accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) or graduation from a college of osteopathic medicine in the United States, accredited by the American Osteopathic Association Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (AOACOCA);

      OR
       

    2. be a graduate from a medical school outside of the United States or Canada, and meet one of the following additional qualifications:
      1. hold a currently valid certificate from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) prior to appointment; 
        OR
      2. hold a full and unrestricted license to practice medicine in the United States licensing jurisdiction in which the ACGME-accredited program is located.
         
  2. Prerequisite Training
    1. All prerequisite post-graduate clinical education required for initial entry or transfer into ACGME-accredited residency programs must be completed in ACGME-accredited residency programs, AOA-approved residency programs, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC)-accredited or College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC)-accredited residency programs located in Canada, or in residency programs with ACGME International (ACGME-I) Advanced Specialty Accreditation.
    2. To be eligible for appointment to the program, residents must have successfully completed a prerequisite year of direct patient care in a program that satisfies the requirements in the above paragraph 2a in anesthesiology, emergency medicine, family medicine, internal medicine, neurology, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, surgery or surgical specialty, a transitional year, or any combination of these.
      • The prerequisite year must include a minimum of 36 weeks in direct patient care.
      • During the prerequisite year, elective rotations in diagnostic radiology, interventional radiology, or nuclear medicine must only occur in radiology departments with a diagnostic radiology, interventional radiology, or nuclear medicine residency program that satisfies the requirements in paragraph 2a, and must not exceed a combined total of two months.

Selection Criteria

Similar to other programs, the number of applications we receive has increased over the last few years. In 2023, we received >1000 applications and were only able to interview about 10% of applicants. We will be utilizing program signals and geographic preferences offered in ERAS along with our holistic application review to help us select applicants for interviews. We are more likely to offer interviews to applicants who signal our program.

Our selection committee reviewing applications considers the most important aspects to be performance on clinical clerkships, Alpha Omega Alpha honor society membership, Gold Humanism Honor Society membership, class ranking (if available), comments in MSPE, Step 1 and Step 2 results (if available), research experiences, leadership qualities, potential for academic career, outstanding letters of recommendation, program signal and formative life experiences. None of these are requirements and we believe in reviewing applications holistically as applicants may excel in some particular areas.

General characteristics* of applicants that have matched to our program in the last 3 years include: U.S. MD senior or graduate, USMLE Step 1 pass on first attempt, Step 2 score of 250 or higher, top 50% ranking in medical school (if ranking available), Honors grade on several clinical rotations (if Honors is available), research experiences, volunteer experiences, program signal and personal characteristics demonstrating: determination, personal/professional growth mindset, maturity, excellent communication and ability to adapt. 

If you have been selected to interview with our program, you will receive an email invitation. Typically, invitations are sent out mid-October. Please see the Interview Day page for further details.”

*None of these are requirements for our program, but are listed here to provide a general sense of characteristics of successful applicants.

Interviews

Per AAMC and Association of Program Directors in Radiology recommendations, we will be conducting interviews virtually this year from November through December rather than in-person interviews. If you are selected to interview with our program, you will receive an email invitation through ERAS, usually in mid October.

The interview day will follow a standard interview schedule. We will conduct these on selected Mondays and Fridays from 8:00am to approximately 1:00pm which will include opportunities for you to meet multiple faculty and residents.

Applicants are invited to a pre-interview social with our residents. This is a great opportunity to mingle and learn more about our program. 

Diagnostic Radiology/Interventional Radiology - Integrated Program Applicants: We understand the interview season can be expensive for applicants, in terms of both time and money. Candidates who are invited to both Diagnostic Radiology and Interventional Radiology - Integrated will interview for both simultaneously. 

Sample Regular Interview Day Schedule

8:00 - Chairman Welcome

8:20 - Program Director Program Overview and Welcome

8:40 - Chief Resident Presentation

9:00 - Break

9:15 - Faculty Interviews 

12:15 - Social hour with current residents

1:00 - Interview Day Conclusion

Post-Interview Communication

The interview day is designed to provide you with a clear picture of our training program and includes multiple opportunities to ask questions of our residents, program leadership, and faculty. In the spirit of the fairness to all applicants, post-interview communications or second look visits will not impact an applicant’s ranking. On interview day, applicants will be provided contact information for program representatives for questions that arise after the interview. 

Thank You Notes

Thank you notes are not necessary, will have no bearing on ranking, and such communications will not routinely receive a reply.

In Person Visits

We understand that the interview season can be an expensive for applicants, in terms of both time and money. In person visits are neither required nor encouraged. If you choose to come visit, you would be welcome as we know choice of residency is a big decision and may warrant an in-person visit. In order to remain equitable to all applicants, you will not be able to meet with faculty members of the selection committee or the program director during your visit nor will they be notified of your visit. Contact the residency coordinator if you are interested in arranging a visit.

This policy is in alignment with the NRMP® rules and Match Communication Code of Conduct.

Match Options and NRMP Codes

  1. Advanced PGY-2 position: 6-7 positions. Four years of Diagnostic Radiology following pre-requisite 1 or more years of clinical experience in an ACGME accredited program.
  2. Categorical position: 1-2 positions. An internal medicine preliminary training year is combined subsequent 4 years of Diagnostic Radiology at our institution. Up to 1 month elective is offered during internship. Separate interview is not required.

NRMP ® Code

Program Name

Notes

1732420A0

 

Diagnostic Radiology

4 year program

1732420C0

Diagnostic Radiology

5 year program. Preliminary Internal Medicine year is included in the 4-year University of Utah Diagnostic Radiology Residency Program. Therefore, interviewing with and ranking the Internal Medicine prelim track separately is not necessary.

1732416A0

 

Interventional Radiology – Integrated

5 year program

1732415F0

 

Interventional Radiology – Independent

1-2 year program depending on previous exposure to Interventional Radiology

International Applicants

International Medical Graduates

  1. Must be ECFMG certified before training begins on July 1.
  2. Must have a clinical J-1 visa before training begins on July 1.
  3. Must have a complete ERAS application.

We encourage outstanding applicants to apply as we value diversity in our program.
Due to the large number of applications, the following traits are essential to be considered for an interview:

  1. Strong performance in medical school
  2. Strong scores on Step 2 of the USMLE
  3. Outstanding letters of recommendation
  4. Active involvement in academic research

We believe a diverse and inclusive environment is the best environment for everyone!

Visiting Students

A visiting rotation is certainly not required, but can be a great way for to experience our program and we welcome visiting students. Due to the high number of applications, visiting students are not guaranteed an interview. While your rotation performance will be considered, interviews will be offered based on complete review of your application. If you are solely interested in rotating with us in order to get an interview, please review the selection criteria for interview (please hyperlink to Selection Criteria for Interview page once it’s created) as that will give you a sense of whether you would be successful in receiving an invitation to interview. 

If you are a student/applicant interested in visiting University of Utah in person, but not participating in a rotation, we welcome you to come visit as we know choice of residency is a big decision. However, in order to remain equitable to all applicants, you will not be able to meet with faculty members of the selection committee or the program director during your visit nor will they be notified of your visit. Contact the residency coordinator if you are interested in arranging a visit.
 

Contact Us

The University of Utah School of Medicine does not discriminate on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, race, age, religion, color, national origin, disability, or veteran’s status. In accordance with the requirements of The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, (Section 504), the University of Utah provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities, so that they may fully participate in its academic programs, employment opportunities, medical services, programs, and events.