Hi, can anyone give me some statistics about ECFMG doctors getting in Ophthalmology residency?
Also, is there a list of more competitive and less competitive programs?
Thanks

http://www.sfmatch.org/residency/ophthalmology/about_match/match_report.pdf

Thanks...

For foriegn graduates, every ophthalmology program is a competitive program. Last year, 25 IMGs matched compared to 41 about 5 years ago.
What are your scores/pertinent things on cv/research experience?

I don`t have high scores (step 1 190) but I worked for an Ophthalmologist for 1 year and I did corneal research (I should have 2 papers published in a couple of months).
Do you think it is almost impossible for me to get in?

man, ophthalmo is a tough one as you know
you should work/research in a program, get to know the doctors, program director, make connections and then you might get a better chance

Honestly it'll be very tough. Unless you worked for the chairman of a program or something close to that. You will be screened out by almost every program because of your low scores and FMG status. Not trying to discourage you. Just trying to give you an honest opinion.

i think you're going to have to hope for connections. try and join a program and do research with them and hope to impress them

I will also join the chorus. The avg matched ophtho score last year was 231. Being FMG, one has to have something that sets them apart i.e. high scores (mean > 240) or extensive US research experience with pubs. You say you have worked with an ophtho guy - I bet that he is your best bet to a resdiency. Is he an academics? You need to sit down and have a chat with him and ask him if you have a shot in his program.

Dear Pinu,

this is going to be a very tough race for you.
I am (was) a FMG myself and went through the whole interview process.
In 2005/2006 I applied to 44 ophtho programs and 40 transitional and internal medicine internships. I got 3 interviews in ophthalmology and 15 for the PGY1.
However, I did not match into ophtho and thus withdrew from the PGY1 match (although I was offered pre-match by 3 PGY1 programs - one of them was a JHU medicine internship).
My stats: Step 1: 99/258, Step 2: 99/255, Step 3: > 94/230 (I cannot remember my precise Step 3 score at the moment, but I passed with a decent score).
One year of clinical experience in the US - as a medical student in opthalmology, and internal medicine (Cornell, Duke and Baylor) two years prior to my residency application. 2 months of research at Wilmer/JHU five years before my residency application.
Multiple publications and posters (as first author, senior author and co-author).
Everybody tells me that I am a good team player and do not have a complicated personality. I was 29 years old when I went through this process.
However, I am (was) a FMG and I am no US-citizen. I did not match into ophthalmology in the US 1.5 years ago.
Currently, I am training in Europe and I am very happy that I chose ophthalmology.
I did not re-apply as I did not want to waste years to get into an US-program.
It is very hard for FMGs to match into ophthalmology in the United States! If your passion is ophthalmology you should consider training elsewhere. Whether you become a good ophthalmologist in the end depends largely on yourself (although getting into a good training program certainly helps). If you cannot imagine to live and work in any other country than the US I honestly would give you the following advice: Consider another field.

Good luck to you!

All the above is correct.
I'm an FMG with scores of 99/256 & 96/253, relatively well known med school, 6 months of electives in the US during med school.

In the first time, I applied to almost 50 programs. I got zero interviews. I was also applying to internal medicine and matched in a good university.

In my 2nd year of IM residency, I applied again to ophtho (about 60-70 programs if I remember correctly). I got zero interviews again, then I got one at the end after the interview season has ended from a program on probation with 2 spots in each year. Again, I didn't match.

I finished my IM residency and moved to another state to do full time research fellowship (basic + clinical) in one of the top 10 programs. I kept myself busy from the beginning. I presented papers in several meetings (AAO, AGS, ASCRS & ARVO), performed surgery on rabbits, co-authored several papers, and got strong letters. Also, I saw patients and did research during my IM residency.
After this, when I applied the 3rd time, I applied to over 100 programs and I got 4 interviews! Two of those interviews were granted in the last minute after someone else has cancelled their interview.
I finally matched and I'm thrilled about it.

On my interview trail, I met several FMGs. The vast majority have finished an entire ophtho residency in their home country and then finished clinical and/or research fellowships for 1-3 years, and of course many of them still didn't match. It's extremely tough, almost impossible.
Again, I'm not trying to discourage you, but you have to consider all possibilities.

Good luck.

I see...
So it`s almost better if I save time and money and I don`t even try to register for the match....
I am depressed now....

I don`t have high scores (step 1 190) but I worked for an Ophthalmologist for 1 year and I did corneal research (I should have 2 papers published in a couple of months).
Do you think it is almost impossible for me to get in?

Even US Medical Graduates have a very hard time matching in ophthalmology with a step 1 of 190; if they match at all. I’m not trying to degrade your efforts, just trying to bring some perspective to this discussion. Good luck in your medical career!:luck:

I really admire you for your persistence, thanks MedEye. And thanks Spitzko for sharing your experience.

However, I am curious as I have heard of some IMGs straight from medical school getting a few interviews (look at the match poll, there's a guy from 2005 who got 15+ and matched at Wills, and there's a guy at UCSF who's a Canadian and went to Irish school, etc) and some IMGs getting none.

What do you think is the difference?

I guess Canadians are treated almost the same as US graduates, or let's say they are seen superior to other IMGs.

Every once in a while, you hear about an IMG who've matched in a top specialty at one of the more competitive programs and you wonder "how did they do it?" We don't necessarily know much about their CVs, or even connections. Academic ophthalmology is a small world, and knowing a big wig ophthalmologist who writes you a letter definitely helps, at least to get an interview.

As far as I know, the average number of interviews per applicant is 8 (according to SFMatch stats), so when I hear about someone who's got 15 interviews, I start doubting it. But again, things like this do rarely happen.

Good luck to all.

Well, this was a Canadian guy who went to IRISH school. I thought North Americans who attend Irish and Australian schools have some stigma attached, much like Caribbean grads. There are some posts in the international forums suggesting Caribbean schools are in fact better if you are planning on coming back to States.

I guess there are always exceptions, but how are you going to know whether you'll be such exception unless you try? (Provided that you have equal or better credentials than US grads.) Having a Plan B is important here, I guess.

Well, this was a Canadian guy who went to IRISH school. I thought North Americans who attend Irish and Australian schools have some stigma attached, much like Caribbean grads. There are some posts in the international forums suggesting Caribbean schools are in fact better if you are planning on coming back to States.

I guess there are always exceptions, but how are you going to know whether you'll be such exception unless you try? (Provided that you have equal or better credentials than US grads.) Having a Plan B is important here, I guess.

Since Canadian med schools are ridiculously difficult to get into, lots of Canadians going to Irish medical schools in many cases have higher MCAT scores and GPAs then Americans accepted to US medical schools. Check out some matriculants' stats in the Irish section of the int'l medical schools subforum if you like. Irish schools are pretty well-respected from what I've heard, but I'm sure there is still at least a bit of stigma attached (although entering students' stats may not justify this bias).

Ok, thanks everybody!
And thank you sjkpark...
I`m gonna try anyways. I don`t have anything to lose since I already matched in ObGyn and, as you said sjkpark..."there are always exceptions, but how are you going to know whether you'll be such exception unless you try?"...
:luck::luck::luck::luck::luck::D

each year about 25 IMGs match.. its not impossible.. it all depends on your determination and if you have good backing from someone.. thats all it takes.. you will have to introspect and ask yourself whether you have it in you to persevere enough to get in. I am not sure what to make of the fact that you have already gotten into an unrelated residency.

each year about 25 IMGs match.. its not impossible.. it all depends on your determination and if you have good backing from someone.. thats all it takes.. you will have to introspect and ask yourself whether you have it in you to persevere enough to get in. I am not sure what to make of the fact that you have already gotten into an unrelated residency.

These stats, however, don't tell us how many of those priveledged 25 have already completed an ophtho residency in their own country and have 100 publications to their name.

Yes, you are right but you never know...
If you know the Chairman of Ophthalmology and Residency Director you can have some chances...;)

Best advice is to apply for pre-residency fellowships.. you'll find them on SFMatch. That will give you exposure to program directors, etc. Also, try to complete an ophthalmology residency program in your country.. then you can do a fellowship in the States, and possibly then do a residency program here (if you really really want to practice here.)

Took my DH five years to match... ended up doing three pre-residency fellowships (four years total)... as well as he had done most of an ophthalmology residency abroad. He also did his PGY-1 year (surgery) in between the fellowships... so that he'd have some good reco letters, as well as be available for any PGY-2 openings.

It's a tough road. Good luck :)

Another FMG in his program did a complete Medicine residency... worked... then did a pre-residency ophth fellow... then finally matched. Once again, long long road.

Ok...no one can tell me it`s not so bad???
It can be so impossible...
Is there any FMG who got in the first time without any problems?:eek:

Ok...no one can tell me it`s not so bad???
It can be so impossible...
Is there any FMG who got in the first time without any problems?:eek:

I insist; your Step 1(190) might be a deal breaker during the application process. It can only add insult to injury (FMG status). But I guess you should apply and hope for the best.:luck:

I know an FMG who matched the first time he applied about 20 years ago. But, he used to come to the US to do research every year throught his med school (which is 6 years). He always came to the same place. More importantly, his uncle was a successful ophthalmologist and he knew all the big guys at that place. Obviously, he matched with them.
Other than this one, I don't know ANY FMGs who matched the first time.

Good luck.

Dont belive the depressing stories above.

Last year 25 IMG's MATCHED!!! Thats 25 IMG's with a positive inspiring story to tell!

Stay positive and go for it.
If you have the scores/pubs and LOR's there is no way you are only getting 3 interviews.

GO for it and let us know how you do. Be an inspiration.

We are not talking about being a genius here. After all this is medicine not rocket science.

Dont belive the depressing stories above.

Last year 25 IMG's MATCHED!!! Thats 25 IMG's with a positive inspiring story to tell!

Stay positive and go for it.
If you have the scores/pubs and LOR's there is no way you are only getting 3 interviews.

GO for it and let us know how you do. Be an inspiration.

We are not talking about being a genius here. After all this is medicine not rocket science.
Well he clearly doesn't have the scores. With a step 1 in the 190s it would be a miracle for a US senior to match, let alone FMG.

Dont belive the depressing stories above.

Last year 25 IMG's MATCHED!!! Thats 25 IMG's with a positive inspiring story to tell!

Stay positive and go for it.
If you have the scores/pubs and LOR's there is no way you are only getting 3 interviews.

GO for it and let us know how you do. Be an inspiration.

We are not talking about being a genius here. After all this is medicine not rocket science.

That's not true. I've seen a few posts on this forum from IMGs with research, 250s on their boards and good letters only receive 3 interview invitations.

Thanks jmsMD...
you are positive!!! I already sent my CAS application so...let`s see.
Probably I have just wasted some time and thrown away some money but I want to take my chances...

That's not true. I've seen a few posts on this forum from IMGs with research, 250s on their boards and good letters only receive 3 interview invitations.

But then again, there are IMGs on this board who matched as well.
I think everything about IMGs - you got to treat them on CASE BY CASE basis.
After all, what have you got to lose than some money?

yes Sjkpark...some money... But at least I can hope to have a chance until January. ;)

But then again, there are IMGs on this board who matched as well.
I think everything about IMGs - you got to treat them on CASE BY CASE basis.
After all, what have you got to lose than some money?

You're stating the obvious. Of course everyone has a chance. I was simply pointing out an untrue statement made by the previous poster who said that it's impossible to get only 3 interviews being an IMG if you have good scores and a strong application.

You're stating the obvious. Of course everyone has a chance. I was simply pointing out an untrue statement made by the previous poster who said that it's impossible to get only 3 interviews being an IMG if you have good scores and a strong application.

however, my emphasis was on CASE-BY-CASE. of course all applicants are viewed on case-by-case basis, but even more so for IMGs. among those IMGs who applied, there will be people whose english communication skills may be limited, or even if they are fluent in english, may have been discriminated during interview process because they have funny accents, etc. IMGs are more heterogenous bunch compared to US graduates in terms of their background and experiences, and students from oxford or cambridge and wonderful english accents will be treated different from somebody who went to medical school in a country that nobody even heard of.

the bottom line is, we really don't know what went on behind the scene, and there are some people with exactly the same stats who got 15+ interviews. i have no idea which bunch i'll fell into, but as i said before, how on earth am i going to find out unless i apply? of course even after i play all the cards right and i still don't get it, that probably means that i was not meant to be an ophthalmologist in the US at least, and i'll have to settle with the option B and learn to live happily with it.

I know 4 of the 25 FMGs who matched this year. Out of these one matched after applying for the first time. A fifth IMG got a post match spot, which makes a total of 26. Each one has a unique story to tell and each one has spent time (1-2 years) in the US either as a clinical fellow or a research affiliate. Research and publications are important, but the most important thing is that the program should like you and you should have someone who believes in you and backs you through the process.

I know 4 of the 25 FMGs who matched this year. Out of these one matched after applying for the first time. A fifth IMG got a post match spot, which makes a total of 26. Each one has a unique story to tell and each one has spent time (1-2 years) in the US either as a clinical fellow or a research affiliate. Research and publications are important, but the most important thing is that the program should like you and you should have someone who believes in you and backs you through the process.

Have to agree with this. It took DH 7 years to match in ophthalmology...and he was coming from an ophthalmology residency abroad. Did grunt work research for two years... then a preresidency fellowship....didn't match at that place... did PGY-1... then another two years pre-residency fellowship. The last program is where he matched and it was because they went to bat for him. He had horrible USMLEs 75th percentile... but clinically was fabulous. There's another IMG in his program and he did a complete Internal medicine residency before matching in ophthalmology.