Radiation-Oncology
Contacts
Specialty Advisor, Residency Program Director, & Specialty Interest Group Faculty Advisor
Specialty Interest Group Email
Specialty Overview
A radiation oncologist is a physician that specializes in the use of ionizing radiation to provide therapeutic benefits to patients via external beam radiation, brachytherapy, intra-operative radiation and radiopharmaceuticals.
A radiation oncologist uses ionizing radiation and other modalities to treat malignant and benign diseases. Radiation oncologists also may use computed tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound, and positron emission tomography (PET) as additional interventions to aid in treatment planning and delivery.
Radiation oncology is distinct from other radiology specialties such as diagnostic radiology and interventional radiology as radiation oncology is a clinical oncology specialty.
Radiation Oncology | Careers in Medicine (AAMC CiM log in required)
How long is this specialty's residency?
Radiation oncology residency training is typically four years plus a preliminary year.
Websites for Reference
Away Electives
Away Electives
Recommended
How many aways should I do?
1
Order of Away vs Home
Take their home rotation in the specialty BEFORE they do an away elective
Programs where ISMMS students have completed away electives.
MA
Harvard Medical School / Brigham Women's Hospital
1
NY
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
3
PA
Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania
1
Match Statistics
Information provided by the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP) Charting Outcomes in the Match, last updated August 2024 and 2025 ERAS Data
Mean Number of Contiguous Ranks
16.1
Mean USMLE Step 2 CK Score
252
Mean Number of Research Experiences
4.2
Mean Number of Abstracts, Presentations and Publications
15.9
Competitiveness
Source: 2025 Match Advanced Data Tables
In the 2025 Match there were 179 advanced positions in 81 programs, 70.4% of positions were filled by U.S. MD Seniors.
In the 2025 Match there were 12 categorical preliminary positions in 7 programs, 75% of positions were filled by U.S. MD Seniors.
Application Information
Application System
ERAS
Match System
NRMP
Signaling
Source: ERAS Signaling and 2025 ERAS Data
How Many?
4
Signal Home Program?
No
Signal Away Program?
Check with individual programs
Average Number of Applications Submitted
35.76
Letters of Recommendation
Standardized Letter of Evaluation (SLOE)?
No
Departmental/Chair Letter?
Yes
Who should other letters come from?
1 Chair
1 Sinai PD
2 Rad Onc faculty at Sinai or from away rotation
Interviewing and Post Interview Communication
Applications are downloaded by programs...
On the first date they are available- students should submit everything prior to that date
This specialty’s MSH program interviews all ISMMS students who apply.
Yes
Interviews are sent out...
Within one month of applications being released to programs
Thank You Emails
Yes, definitely a good idea.
Letters of Intent
Yes, letters of intent are helpful to programs and applicants but make sure you're only sending to one program if you are telling them they are #1 on your rank list. Consult with an advisor before sending.
ISMMS Match Data 2020-2025
Icahn SOM at Mount Sinai-NY
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
Memorial Sloan-Kettering-NY
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
NYU Grossman School Of Medicine-NY
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
Stony Brook Teach Hosps-NYÂ
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
U Texas MD Anderson Cancer Ctr
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
UC San Francisco-CA
0
0
1
0
0
0
1
Univ of Chicago Med Ctr-IL
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
Possible 'At Risk' Identifiers
Applicants who are very geographically restricted
Last updated