What would you have done differently, if anything, during med school to strengthen your residency application?

Are salaries higher in rural areas like with other specialties? Also how does it really compare to other specialties salary-wise? A few of the other people I’ve shadowed (primary care, derm, pain) almost scoffed when I said I was interested in pathology. (Actually the dermatologist seemed supportive, but the others didn’t) they said to do radiology instead because of the higher salary. Is there actually any merit to this?

Also, do most pathologists work for corps like quest or are private practices/hospital employees still common? I’d really prefer not to work for a huge company if possible, but I’ve seen a lot of talk about the corporitization of path groups on this sub. I’ve shadowed a GI pathologist and a medical examiner and both seemed super cool, but we didn’t talk much about the business/financial aspects of the job. Thanks!