I never really considered ophtho at all and haven't had any exposure to the field. I went to med school with the intention of becoming a surgeon. I'm a MSIV now and I'm getting worried that I've made the wrong decision. I decided to do some electives this month, and I'm not really falling in love with anything else. One of my friends was talking up ophtho and from what I've read, it sounds like a field that would suit my talents. I'm very good with my hands, I can work on very small intricate fields for long periods (have an art background), and I have serious doubts that I will be happy with the GS lifestyle. I can't imagine myself being happy in a non-surgical field at this point. I can sign up for an ophtho rotation next week, but since ophtho is the San Francisco match, it seems like it's probably too late for me to consider this. Am I right?

Is it too late to apply to ophtho this year? No. The target date for getting in an application is 9/3. But that said, it takes a good chunk of time to string an application together- getting ophtho letters and elective experience, researching programs, personal statement, etc.

That said, if you find that ophtho is right for you might consider taking a year out is order to strengthen your application by doing research and convincing yourself that it definitely is the right path. From what i've heard, getting an application in late puts you at a disadvantage (for example late September). It's only a year and will GREATLY strengthen your application (assuming you don't have a lot of research experience, etc). Of course, In saying all of this I've made a lot of assumptions... so let me know if this makes sense.

all depends on a number of things like med school reputation, grades, board scores, letters, research, etc...it's definately very late for this go around, and you would PROBABLY most likely want to consider doing a post-doc research fellowship of sorts to do some ophtho research since the target date for the SF Match application tends to be early september

that said...yes you do have time (2-3 weeks) to possibly get your ducks lined up (including get an attending in Ophtho to somehow write that letter in the next week or 2)...but it will be hard...and a research fellowship year can only help your chances...in the end, the call is yours...i guess the other thought could always be to apply and see what happens...that's an expensive thing to try, but always up to you as well

good luck

all depends on a number of things like med school reputation, grades, board scores, letters, research, etc...it's definately very late for this go around, and you would PROBABLY most likely want to consider doing a post-doc research fellowship of sorts to do some ophtho research since the target date for the SF Match application tends to be early september

that said...yes you do have time (2-3 weeks) to possibly get your ducks lined up (including get an attending in Ophtho to somehow write that letter in the next week or 2)...but it will be hard...and a research fellowship year can only help your chances...in the end, the call is yours...i guess the other thought could always be to apply and see what happens...that's an expensive thing to try, but always up to you as well

good luck

You are probably right I should just do a research fellowship (if I even end up liking ophtho!). I am not a competitive applicant by any stretch of the imagination. I am at the 50th percentile for grades and step 1 at a US allopathic school. One piece of general surgery research in progress. Hopefully I will rock step 2, but my track record on these standardized tests is less than stellar. i think I should just focus on studying for step 2 these next few weeks and explore ophtho later in the year. Thanks for your advice!

This is the rest of your life you're talking about. One more year, or two, is a drop in the bucket.

Don't applying for a specialty when you really want to do another. If eyeballs is what you really want to do, then take the time and make it happen. You will be happier in the end for it.

This is the rest of your life you're talking about. One more year, or two, is a drop in the bucket.

Don't applying for a specialty when you really want to do another. If eyeballs is what you really want to do, then take the time and make it happen. You will be happier in the end for it.

Well said! Try to look for opportunities during this next year.

Just another opinion, sounds like the OP is very interested in doing surgical specialty, why not 1 year of surgical prelim then apply next year? That way she could probably jump right in if any PGY-2 position opens up. (But OP should still build up as much ophtho experience as possible this year -> all ready to go when next cycle begins)

Just another opinion, sounds like the OP is very interested in doing surgical specialty, why not 1 year of surgical prelim then apply next year? That way she could probably jump right in if any PGY-2 position opens up. (But OP should still build up as much ophtho experience as possible this year -> all ready to go when next cycle begins)

Why a surgical prelim year?

What's the benefit in the OP's case?

Why a surgical prelim year?

What's the benefit in the OP's case?

Well, why not? Didn't the OP say she likes surgery?

And about the "small, intricate field" thing...the eye is small and intricate, yes. But I think it's more about realizing that you'd be operating under a microscope (unless you're doing peds or oculoplastics). You have to train your muscles to exert very subtle, controlled movements. And coordinate all 4 limbs to be doing something different at the same time, as in phacoemulsification. (But hey, at least you're sitting.) Everything you do with your hands is translated through your tiny instruments. You won't be able to "touch" anything with your hands directly like you could with "macro" surgery. Have you assisted on laparoscopic cases before? Consider the challenges there...I think they have similarities to ophthalmic surgery.