Radiation Oncology by the Numbers: Applicants, Signals and Interviews
Radiation oncology drew 319 applicants in ERAS 2026, down 5% from ERAS 2024. Programs interviewed 43% of the applicants who signaled them and 29% of those who didn't.
By Rezumab · Data as of
Below are five seasons of AAMC ERAS data for radiation oncology: who applies, how many applications they send, how signals are used and how often programs interviewed applicants who did and didn’t signal them, split by MD, DO and international medical graduate.
The international-graduate share of applicants fell 4 points
In ERAS 2026, 319 people applied to radiation oncology. The pool was 56.1% MD, 10.3% DO and 33.5% international graduates. 3.1% applied to no other specialty, a count that treats required preliminary and transitional years as another specialty.
Applicants are up 9.0% from the same day last year
| Season | All | MD | DO | Intl. grads | Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ERAS 2027so far, vs. same day of 2026 | ▲+9.0% | ▲+16.5% | – | ▼−3.6% | ▲+2.4% |
| ERAS 2026vs. 2025 | ▲+12.5% | ▲+12.8% | – | ▲+12.0% | ▲+12.2% |
| ERAS 2025vs. 2024 | ▲+8.0% | ▲+4.7% | – | ▲+19.0% | ▲+5.5% |
The median applicant sends 35 applications, up from 30
By type in ERAS 2026: MDs 35, DOs 43, international graduates 23. The middle half of applicants sent between 20 and 50. The overall median is the 11th lowest of 23 specialties covered here.
On the programs’ side, the median radiation oncology program received 103 applications in ERAS 2026, against 93 in ERAS 2024.
Most applications still arrive without a signal
In ERAS 2027, 97% of radiation oncology applicants used signals, and the median signaling applicant used 4.
At the median program, 9% of applicants had signaled it, up from 9% in ERAS 2026. The median program received 11 signals; the busiest tenth received 34 or more.
Signals per applicant by season: 2025: 4 · 2026: 4 · 2027: 4.
Unsignaled applicants still get interviews
Show as table
| Did not signal | Signaled | |
|---|---|---|
| All applicants | 29% | 43% |
| MD | 41% | 67% |
| Intl. graduates | 6% | 0% |
At 66% of programs, signaled applicants were interviewed at a higher rate than those who didn’t signal. Applying beyond your signals still pays in radiation oncology; a signal raises the odds but isn’t required.
These are last season’s rates. Track who is sending radiation oncology interview invites this season.
International graduates who signaled were rarely interviewed
An MD who signaled a radiation oncology program was interviewed at 67% of the median program, the sixth highest of 21 specialties with interview data. The AAMC didn’t report a DO figure (under 50 DO applicants).
An international graduate who signaled (0%) still did worse than an MD who didn’t (41%).
These are outcomes by group, not the effect of belonging to one. The groups differ in exam timing, visa needs and U.S. clinical experience, and none of that is controlled here.
The most common backup is internal medicine, chosen by 34%
| Also applied to, ERAS 2026 | Share of applicants |
|---|---|
| Internal Medicine (preliminary)PGY-1 year | 75% |
| Transitional YearPGY-1 year | 71% |
| Internal Medicine (categorical) | 34% |
| Internal Medicine (primary care) | 17% |
| Diagnostic Radiology | 13% |
| Family Medicine | 12% |
Rows marked PGY-1 year are preliminary and transitional programs, which specialties that start at PGY-2 require. Categorical programs in another specialty are the real backup plan.