URGENT: Update About Additional Degree Portfolio Points For Radiology Applications
The role of additional degrees in the portfolio section for radiology applications may be getting a revamp
Hey All,
Hope you’re all having a wonderful Saturday and to those of you celebrating Eid, we want to wish you Eid Mubarak <3
Now, courtesy of the Junior Doctors forum on Reddit, we’ve come across recent changes to the 2022 Internal Medicine Training (IMT) recruitment. Specifically, they have mentioned that they are removing points for additional degrees such as prior degrees to medicine and intercalated degrees. “So what, I’m applying for radiology. What’s this got to do with me”? Patience young padawan, all will be revealed.
The reason this is relevant to you as a radiology applicant, is because of the board who have orchestrated this. Basically, these changes were put in place by the Medical and Dental Recruitment and Selection (MDRS) Programme Board which govern specialty recruitment as a WHOLE. Not just physicians, not just surgeons but ALL specialty recruitment. That’s why it’s a big deal because if these changes are happening to IMT then we believe these changes are coming to radiology too. “But why are they doing this”? Truthfully, it doesn’t matter why since all you can do is adapt but the reasons provided are, and I quote, “the ruling is due to the inequity of access to these opportunities due to financial implications or disadvantaging those whose medical degree does not offer the opportunity for intercalated study”. Make of that what you will but remember, as the adage goes, “there is no point crying over spilt milk”.
So what does that mean for you? Well, we think there are a few possible scenarios:
Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) follow through and remove points for additional degrees altogether from the 2022-2023 recruitment. When we say additional degrees, we’re referring to degrees prior to medicine or intercalated degrees. We don’t think this will affect points for MRCP/MRCS.
RCR will reduce the weight of additional degrees for the 2022-2023 round and remove it altogether thereafter. Basically, wean it in. The RCP are doing this for IMT by reducing the points up for grabs for additional degrees and increasing the points available for the other domains e.g. audit.
Nothing. RCR still perceive additional value from additional degrees and just change the wording to make it more suitable for inclusion e.g. experience of research and you get points for having a BSc/Masters.
Santa Clause is proven to not exist.
Whilst we know option 4 is impossible, the other 3 are definitely on the table. We won’t know for certain until November 2022 when applications open but in the meantime, we will be reaching out to the RCR for clarification. Of course, we will update you if they respond (fingers crossed).
So, what can you do in the meantime? Honestly, don’t stress. Now before you all start ‘slow clapping’ at us for that amazing pearl of wisdom, we genuinely mean it. There is nothing you can realistically do at this stage. If you’re mid-degree then please, do not decide to just drop out. There are more benefits from an additional degree than just the degree itself e.g. research opportunities and being a badass with a million letters after your name. However, if you were thinking of pursuing an additional degree solely for portfolio points, then perhaps it is time to reconsider; this is particularly true for medical students who follow us (waves at you all). They are hella expensive and will eat up to a year of your life. The other key thing is to start identifying other options to get those juicy portfolio points such as teaching etc. We aren’t sure if the RCR will add in a new section or increase weighting to other domains but for now, work on getting those extra portfolio points.
Overall, it’s a real pain that these changes are implemented so drastically. They did this with the UKFPO and now it appears with specialty applications. We feel this should have been done gradually but hey, we don’t have any say in these matters (unfortunately). But as your friends, we wanted to make sure you were aware of what may be happening behind the scenes so it isn’t that much of a shock to you.
As always, if you need any application support then please do get in touch. Our (virtual) doors are always open for you.
Till next time,
From your ‘clinically correlating’ buddies,
Uzoma, Jamie and Muhammad
RadCast Co-Founders.