3rd year med student advice needed!!

[xenophila]

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Hello,

I just started my 3rd year of med school and focusing hard on my rotations. I have interest in applying to opthalmology but am not sure if am competitive enough. My step 1 is 223 and I know that is below average for opthalmology. I plan on working hard on my rotations and doing well on Step 2. I am looking to do research in opthalmology and hopefully I will have something going soon. I know it is a small field and most PDs know each other to some extent, but how do you build a relationship with a PD during your other rotations? Connections seem to be key but is the 'building relationships' via doing research with residents and trying to get to know PDs? It feels like PDs know that you are just trying to kiss ass which is just a scary thought. Any advice would help considering how I should plan to focus on opthalmology. Do I have a chance at ANY opthalmology programs regardless of location... I would be ok with low tier program.

Thank you!!

 

[rocketbooster]

From what I've been told about low Step 1 scores for a field, your best fit is your home institution. For example, the Step 1 radiology average is 240, but my school currently has 2 radiology residents from my med school that had Step 1s in the 215-220 range.

So, basically, suck up to your home ophtho department as your #1 priority. Definitely do your research with them. It's still a very risky chance, though. For example, my friend had a 228 and tried a similar idea for ortho at his school. He didn't match that year, but took a year off, did research and matched into rad onc a year later. So there are ways to get there, but maybe you'll have to take a year off or something for more research. Hopefully others on here with more experience can shed light on low Step 1s for ophtho.

 

[Merlin0082]

Xenophila--perhaps taking a year off for research would help?

Do people agree?

 

[mydodger]

Xenophila--perhaps taking a year off for research would help?

Do people agree?

Some people say to, others say it is a waste. It would show dedication but there's a good chance you won't actually get anything publication worthy done in one year. Maybe doing everything you can with the year or so you've got left, going ahead and applying but trying to have something research-y set up for if you don't match is an option?

For now try to get in on some case reports and get involved with any research your program has going on. Get to know your home institution program director on a first-name-hey-I-brought-you-a-six-pack-of-that-belgian-ale-you-like basis.

 

[Merlin0082]

Some people say to, others say it is a waste. It would show dedication but there's a good chance you won't actually get anything publication worthy done in one year. Maybe doing everything you can with the year or so you've got left, going ahead and applying but trying to have something research-y set up for if you don't match is an option?

For now try to get in on some case reports and get involved with any research your program has going on. Get to know your home institution program director on a first-name-hey-I-brought-you-a-six-pack-of-that-belgian-ale-you-like basis.

Mydodger--I've heard similar things as what you're saying, that in a year off you may not get enough publications to make it worth it.

I have a general question--Is it imperative to publish to match at a competitive institution? I'm currently pursing some research, but not sure if it'll publish at all. Honestly, I feel as though its kind of out of my hands--more of how the research goes than my efforts really. Is this still going to help me out a decent amount if no publications come out of it?

Thanks.