The meaning of the MS Degree in Medical Physics, Part 2

The 2014-2015 interview year for entry into one of the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Physics Education Programs, Inc. (CAMPEP) accredited residency programs is noteworthy for a couple of reasons. This is the first year that the majority of candidates must land a residency slot in order to qualify, eventually, to complete the American Board of Radiology certification pathway. In addition, this is the first year that a match process has been offered to the programs and candidates. According to John Antolak, Chair of Medical Physics Residency Training and Promotion Subcommittee, this year there are 295 applicants for 74 programs (but there are probably a bit more than 100 positions). Probably fewer than 70 of these are open to Master’s graduates. It is clear that not all of the 74 programs are participating in the match. Considering these changes in process, I thought it could be enlightening to ask some of our interview candidates to share their experiences with us. I asked them to consider the broad question: “If you could say something directly to the academic program directors or to CAMPEP, what would it be?” Several of the residency candidates responded to my request with a few paragraphs, which I reproduce below.