Hi Everyone,

So this is my first time to post on this forum, though I've been reading it for a while. I have a situation about which I'd like to get some advice. Although I'm just a first year, I have been growing increasingly interested in ophthalmology - fascinated, really. My problem is that, come residency time, the only places I can apply for residency (regardless of the field), are Baylor (my current school) or UT-Houston, due to the fact the my husband's job is here in Houston - it can't be done anywhere else in the country, and I wouldn't expect him to quit just so I can pursue a measly residency. We have a daughter, so living apart isn't an option.

Now, I know that applying to only 2 programs is almost career suicide, but that is why I am posting. Even though I'm just a first-year (and not wanting to be a gunner, but just concerned about my future), I'm wondering if anyone had any advice on what I can be doing to improve my chances of actually getting into one of the two programs here (even UTMB is actually too far away to be considered). Is there anything I should be doing, or planning on doing soon? Any advice, aside from the obvious "study hard, get awaesome grades and rock the USMLE I", would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Welcome to the forum. Baylor is a world class eye program. Find a faculty to work with NOW. Work hard and be productive. Do a one month clinical rotation in ophthalmology and receive an outstanding letter from prominent faculty mentors. Talk to the Baylor chair and program director early and let them know your intentions. If you're good, then they should make room for their own.

Welcome to the forum. Baylor is a world class eye program. Find a faculty to work with NOW. Work hard and be productive. Do a one month clinical rotation in ophthalmology and receive an outstanding letter from prominent faculty mentors. Talk to the Baylor chair and program director early and let them know your intentions. If you're good, then they should make room for their own.


THIS IS EXCELLENT ADVICE! though if you talk to most people in medicine, an ophthalmology residency is not too "measly"

Hi Everyone,

(even UTMB is actually too far away to be considered).


Why is UTMB too far?? Couldn't you just live like halfway between and commute? If Opthalmology is really what your heart desires I don't think it would be that much of a sacrafice.

I think that would be a better option and would increase your chance of acceptance by a third (or something like that, I'm no good at math). But then again you go to Baylor so that's a nice in.

I agree with Dr. Doan's advice. I know that many first year students have a particular field that they want to be in and do not waiver during school (for some reason I knew several folks who went to med school only to do orthopedic surgery...go figure). However, the majority end up changing their minds, often several times. Therefore, I would encourage you to do what Dr. Doan said, but to also keep an open mind about the other fields until you've rotated through them as a third year, and even into early fourth year, giving you a chance to do elective rotations in other things, including other surgical fields if that is your desire. I was all about general surgery until the end of my third year, when I had the opportunity to do an ophthalmology elective...that's when I fell in love with it and decided to pursue it. Just some advice from a recent graduate...Good luck!

THIS IS EXCELLENT ADVICE! though if you talk to most people in medicine, an ophthalmology residency is not too "measly"

Thanks. Yes, I know that an ophthalmology residency is not measly, but compared to my husband's job and what's he's done in his life to get it (he's an astronaut ... and a physician), any residency just isn't as impressive.

Why is UTMB too far?? Couldn't you just live like halfway between and commute? If Opthalmology is really what your heart desires I don't think it would be that much of a sacrafice.

I think that would be a better option and would increase your chance of acceptance by a third (or something like that, I'm no good at math). But then again you go to Baylor so that's a nice in.

We've already built and bought a house that is halfway between Baylor and NASA (where my husband works). It is an excellent area with excellent schools (important for our daughter) and an excellent community. And it is about 1.5 hours from UTMB - one way. While completely uprooting my family to move 45 minutes down the road into a much less desirable area is an option, it's not exactly a realistic one.

Thanks to everyone who has replied. I know that there is a possibility that I might find something else that interests me, but I also know that ophthalmology is very hard to get into, and I just wanted to see if I should be doing anything now, should I decide down the road that is definitely is for me.

By the way, I guess I've taken my first step, sort of, in making contacts with the Baylor Ophthalmology department, as I am scheduled to get LASIK done there next week (I'm incredibly myopic) with a Dr. Hamill. Keep your fingers crossed that everything turns out wonderfully!

I was told (by our ophthalmology lecturer) that Lasik wasn't a very good idea if you want to be an ophthalmologist. These guys (and gals) need vision correctable to 20/20. With Lasik, you may not achieve this. I've decided to put up with glasses. How myopic are you anyway?

I can guess who your husband is though..... :) I was a big fan of Mir and International Space Station. Was quite obsessed with it for a while.

I was told (by our ophthalmology lecturer) that Lasik wasn't a very good idea if you want to be an ophthalmologist. These guys (and gals) need vision correctable to 20/20. With Lasik, you may not achieve this. I've decided to put up with glasses. How myopic are you anyway?

I can guess who your husband is though..... :) I was a big fan of Mir and International Space Station. Was quite obsessed with it for a while.

See, I don't mind slipping on some glasses to do some up close, detailed work. It's the day-to-day complete dependence on them for everything I do besides sleep that I can't stand. I've worn contacts for about 15 years, and while they work OK, they're just always a pain in the butt. I usually can't wear them into the evening because my eyes get dry. There are some activities, especially involving water that are always a little dicey to do with contacts. And wearing glasses all day is even worse. It makes working out hard and wearing sunglasses impossible. Plus, they're not that comfortable. That's why I want to get LASIK.

I'm curious, could you PM me and tell me how you figured out who my husband is based on what I said? From your comment, it seems that you've guessed correctly.

wow, i think i know you who your husband is also. a true legend. one of my good friends is an aspiring astronaut and thats his role model. he's sent me and told me all about the small handful of physician-astronauts. i was also really curious about it, since i went to northwestern and an orthopedic surgeon from our school was recently selected.

wow, i think i know you who your husband is also. a true legend. one of my good friends is an aspiring astronaut and thats his role model. he's sent me and told me all about the small handful of physician-astronauts. i was also really curious about it, since i went to northwestern and an orthopedic surgeon from our school was recently selected.

OK, this is getting weird. I'm still not used to random people knowing about my husband. I'm especially not used to him being a role model to people he doesn't know. Of course, I know he is, but it's still weird. By the way, he knows Bobby (the orthopedic surgeon) pretty well, since the two of them were selected together last year.

haha, i think its awesome and i think you all should be really proud. besides, as a mom and a future ophthalmologist, you're already a role model for tons of people also.

yeah, my friends from my school said dr. satcher is really cool. i never actually had any formal interaction with him, i was a biomedical engineering major, did some research in biomechanics and met him once.

every little kids dream is to be an astronaut, but how many people actually go through with it? some people like my friend just never grow out or grow past that dream, and thats freaking cool.

For anyone who cares, I had my LASIK surgery yesterday and it went great. I feel completely back to normal today, and my vision is now 20/20. It is AWESOME!!!

For anyone who cares, I had my LASIK surgery yesterday and it went great. I feel completely back to normal today, and my vision is now 20/20. It is AWESOME!!!

Awesome! Congrats. :thumbup: