IR: 8 signals
DR: 6 gold + 9 silver
AAMC lists specialty signaling for the 2027 MyERAS season. Signals assigned to submitted applications lock when programs open them.
Review signaling ↗︎IR + Diagnostic Radiology / Match 2027
Residency guide
Current information for comparing training routes, reviewing the 2027 application cycle, finding programs, and preparing a radiology application.
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Radiology Residency Guide 2027
Printable guide with IR/DR pathways, national Match data, application links, interview guidance, IMG/DO notes, clinical-year planning, and a program-comparison checklist. Author: Ahmad Hussain, MD.
Updated Sep 04, 2026
Build your plan from official information.
Use this page as an organized desk, then verify requirements, deadlines, signals, visa policies, and interview details directly with every program. Program-specific rules can change.
Current cycle briefing
What matters for 2027.
The details most likely to affect IR and DR applicants this season.
IR: 8 signals
Scholarly work has its own section.
The 2027 application separates scholarly work from experiences and asks applicants to describe research, abstracts, and presentations clearly.
See changes ↗︎IR and DR remained highly filled.
Integrated IR filled 228 of 238 standard positions; diagnostic radiology filled 1,214 of 1,239 standard positions.
Open NRMP report ↗︎DR and IR guidance differs.
APDR supports virtual interviews for DR. APDIR’s 2026–27 IR guidance recommends in-person interviews while accepting virtual or hybrid formats.
Compare formats ↗︎NRMP 2026 data desk
DR + IR by the numbers.
National Match results, separated by position type so the pathways are easier to interpret.
NRMP source ↗︎INTEGRATED IR
95.8% filled2026 standard positions
| Type | Offered | Filled | Unfilled |
|---|---|---|---|
| Categorical · PGY-1 | 70 | 66 | 4 |
| Advanced · PGY-2 | 168 | 162 | 6 |
| Total | 238 | 228 | 10 |
DIAGNOSTIC RADIOLOGY
98.0% filled2026 standard positions
| Type | Offered | Filled | Unfilled |
|---|---|---|---|
| Categorical · PGY-1 | 156 | 148 | 8 |
| Advanced · PGY-2 | 1,083 | 1,066 | 17 |
| Total | 1,239 | 1,214 | 25 |
How to read this
Fill rate is not applicant match rate. It describes positions, not an individual probability.
Categorical and advanced are different starts. Advanced positions need a separate PGY-1 plan.
Applicant type is descriptive. It does not capture program-specific screening or fit.
Use data with mentorship. Apply strategy should be individualized.
PD + resident perspectives
What helps an application.
Practical advice from program-leadership data, IR residents, PDs, and APDs.
2026 national survey ↗︎Pass, score, signal.
Understand Step/Level expectations, assign signals deliberately, and keep the application coherent.
The interview matters.
Prepare examples showing judgment, teamwork, humility, clinical reliability, and genuine radiology interest.
Use aways carefully.
Choose rotations for fit, geography, mentorship, cost, and the chance to contribute meaningfully.
Tell your role clearly.
Be ready to explain the question, methods, limitations, and your actual contribution.
CURRENT IR RESIDENTSRead ↗︎IR APD PODCASTListen ↗︎DR PD PODCASTListen ↗︎
How to match in IR
Resident-level advice on planning early, choosing rotations, and building a coherent story.
Kim Scherer, MD
Learning habits, autonomy, professionalism, and staying connected to IR during diagnostic years.
Radiology program director advice
Application review, interviews, fit, and questions applicants should ask before ranking.
Applicant toolkit
Use the right source.
High-yield official links for building the application and program list.
Build the application
AAMC · 2027Radiology-specific guidance
IR + DR01Read ↗︎02Open ↗︎03Read ↗︎
SIR advice to medical students pursuing IR
Mentorship, research, away rotations, pathways, and program evaluation.
AUR / AMSER diagnostic radiology guide
Central DR applicant guide and medical student resources.
APDR recruitment & interviewing
DR interview format guidance and recruitment updates.
Search programs
Verify directly01Search ↗︎02Verify ↗︎03Search ↗︎04Search ↗︎
Residency Explorer
Compare program characteristics and interview information.
ACGME Public Program Search
Verify accreditation status and new programs.
FREIDA
Review program details, visa policies, and requirements.
NRMP Program Directory
Confirm Match participation and program codes.
IMG + DO planning
Start early01Review ↗︎02Open ↗︎03Explore ↗︎
2027 ECFMG Pathways
Certification requirements and timing for international medical graduates.
J-1 physician sponsorship guide
Visa sponsorship requirements after an eligible training offer.
AACOM transition to residency
DO-focused Match resources, webinars, and advising tools.
Listen + watch
PD/APD advice and lectures.
Useful for applicants trying to understand what programs value.
Podcasts
Applicant fitVideo learning
Early trainee2026–27 cycle
Dates to remember.
Shared national dates for ERAS and the NRMP Main Match.
ERAS timeline ↗︎ERAS applications may be submitted
Applicants can begin applying at 9:00 AM ET.
NRMP registration opens
Create your R3 account. ERAS submission does not register you for the Match.
Programs begin reviewing applications
Programs can view ERAS applications, MSPEs, and assigned signals.
ECFMG Pathways application deadline
IMGs who need a Pathway for the 2027 Match must submit by this date.
Rank list certification deadline
Certify by 9:00 PM ET.
Match Day
Main Residency Match results become available at 12:00 PM ET.
Interview format
DR and IR differ.
Do not assume every radiology interview uses the same format.
Virtual interviews are preferred when possible.
Programs offering in-person interviews should also have an equitable virtual option, and optional visits should not affect ranking.
Read APDR guidance ↗︎IR guidance may favor in-person.
For 2026–27, APDIR recommends in-person interviews while accepting virtual or hybrid formats. Confirm each program’s plan directly.
Read APDIR guidance ↗︎Compare training
IR and DR routes.
Understand the route before building a program list.
Integrated IR residency
One residency leading toward dual certification in interventional and diagnostic radiology.
View pathway ↗︎DR with ESIR or independent IR
Match DR, pursue ESIR if available, then apply for independent IR residency when appropriate.
Review IR/DR certification ↗︎Diagnostic radiology residency
Clinical year plus accredited DR training with imaging, procedural, emergency, and subspecialty experience.
Review DR certification ↗︎Open houses
Track current events.
Open houses change quickly; confirm registration and time zone directly.
SIR/APDIR calendar ↗︎Integrated IR
SIR/APDIRDiagnostic Radiology
Program sitesAccreditation watch
New and developing programs.
Confirm current-cycle participation before applying.
Search ACGME ↗︎INTEGRATED IR · MIAMIProgram page ↗︎INTEGRATED IR · LEXINGTONProgram page ↗︎DIAGNOSTIC RADIOLOGY · INDIANAPOLISProgram page ↗︎
FIU / Baptist Health
Recently received initial accreditation for integrated IR. Verify ERAS listing and recruitment cycle.
University of Kentucky
ACGME-accredited advanced PGY-2 positions scheduled to begin July 1, 2027.
Ascension St. Vincent
New ACGME-accredited DR residency in development; start timeline should be confirmed directly.
Before applying and ranking
Compare programs beyond the name.
Ask leadership about policy and curriculum. Ask residents how those plans work daily.
- 01
Application deadline, review date, signal instructions, and late-document policy
- 02
Integrated IR, DR, ESIR, independent IR, and linked clinical-year structure
- 03
USMLE/COMLEX expectations, graduation-year rules, letters, and clinical experience
- 04
IMG eligibility, ECFMG status, accepted visas, and sponsorship limitations
- 05
Interview dates, open houses, second-look policy, resident contacts, and coordinator email
- 06
IR clinic, consults, admitting role, procedure ownership, call, case mix, and autonomy
- 07
DR readout style, independent call, night float, subspecialty exposure, and board prep
- 08
Mentorship, research infrastructure, statistical support, grants, and protected time
- 09
Salary, benefits, moonlighting, parental leave, vacation coverage, and wellness support
- 10
Graduate fellowship and job outcomes, geography, alumni network, and recent changes
DO + IMG notes
Plan early and verify policy.
National averages are not personal cutoffs. Program policy matters.
Use COMLEX/USMLE policy carefully.
Many programs receive COMLEX-USA transcripts, while some publish USMLE preferences. Ask before spending money or excluding a program.
COMLEX guidance ↗︎Check ECFMG, visa, and recency rules.
Confirm Pathway, OET, documentation, graduation year, U.S. clinical experience, and visa sponsorship directly.
ECFMG Pathways ↗︎Details applicants miss
Build the complete Match plan.
Advanced radiology applications often involve separate PGY-1 ranking and contingency planning.
Advanced positions do not include PGY-1.
Confirm categorical vs advanced codes before applying and ranking.
NRMP position types ↗︎Use supplemental rank lists.
Link preliminary or transitional-year programs to each advanced radiology choice.
Supplemental lists ↗︎Prepare documents early.
Keep a concise personal statement, updated documents, advisor contacts, and flexible plan ready.
SOAP resources ↗︎Plan fees and travel together.
Add ERAS fees, transcripts, and possible in-person IR interview travel before finalizing your list.
ERAS fees ↗︎PGY-1 planning
Choose the clinical year deliberately.
TY, preliminary medicine, and preliminary surgery can each be compatible if they meet receiving-program requirements.
ACGME PGY-1 guidance ↗︎Broad rotating training
Often flexible, but call burden, ICU/ED exposure, and elective structure vary widely.
TY standards ↗︎Medicine-centered internship
Builds inpatient reasoning, ICU exposure, consult communication, and comorbidity management.
IM standards ↗︎Surgery-centered internship
Builds perioperative care, consults, ICU exposure, and procedural-team comfort.
Surgery standards ↗︎Verify before ranking
Eligibility: confirm the PGY-1 curriculum satisfies every advanced DR/IR program you may rank.
Schedule: compare block diagram, nights, weekends, ICU, ED, electives, vacation, and onboarding.
Transition: check location, housing, salary, benefits, licensing, visa support, and radiology start timing.
Clinical exposure: radiology/IR electives should be active clinical experiences, not observership-only blocks.