Applying to two different residency programs- advice needed.

[Cali MS4]

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CONFUSED!! 😕 I am considering applying to Medicine (eventually subspecialize) and Ophtho. There are several reasons why..
1) I'm actually interested in both but much prefer optho over medicine after doing a month of optho now and really really love the field.
2) I have always been interested in ophtho but very concerned because it is very competitive! I have good standing but not top tier/AOA status (several honors in first 2 years and high Pass in all clinicial rotations and honors in neuro), I have one ophtho related poster presentation. My step 1 score was 223 (92%) and recently took step 2. I have asked two surgeons for LORs. One is a subspeciality surgeon and is chief of the dept and immediately told me he will call any program.
3) Because of personal issues, it is very difficult for me to take a year off to do more research to strengthen my app.

Need opinions if applying to both looks bad/less commited? Will programs find out? How do I explain myself if a program director asks me????

 

[4424]

CONFUSED!! 😕 I am considering applying to Medicine (eventually subspecialize) and Ophtho. There are several reasons why..
1) I'm actually interested in both but much prefer optho over medicine after doing a month of optho now and really really love the field.
2) I have always been interested in ophtho but very concerned because it is very competitive! I have good standing but not top tier/AOA status (several honors in first 2 years and high Pass in all clinicial rotations and honors in neuro), I have one ophtho related poster presentation. My step 1 score was 223 (92%) and recently took step 2. I have asked two surgeons for LORs. One is a subspeciality surgeon and is chief of the dept and immediately told me he will call any program.
3) Because of personal issues, it is very difficult for me to take a year off to do more research to strengthen my app.

Need opinions if applying to both looks bad/less commited? Will programs find out? How do I explain myself if a program director asks me????

2 different matches (early and normal) and unlikely to be noticed since you have to apply for a prelim medicine year anyway. i'm not saying it's ideal but i'd doubt anyone would know.

on the ophtho side of things, if you "really really love the field" i'd suggest doing what you can to match rather than being an unhappy medicine resident because you are not doing what you want.

consider doing some away rotations at mid tier places not for a letter, but for an interview.

 

[speyeder]

In any competitive field there is a realistic chance of not matching. It is not uncommon to apply for a backup field in this case. Having said that, you will never know unless you try. Your Step 1 score is below the average score of successful applicants last year, which was 235, and rises 1-2 points every year. Just be sure to apply to a lot of programs, get good LORs, and attend every interview possible. Good luck.

 

[JMK2005]

I think your chances of matching should be good.

Though step 1 is slightly low, you seem well-round with a poster, good LORs, and someone who can make some calls for you. Like speyer said, apply broadly to big name programs and smaller ones.

 

[thackl]

In any competitive field there is a realistic chance of not matching. It is not uncommon to apply for a backup field in this case. Having said that, you will never know unless you try. Your Step 1 score is below the average score of successful applicants last year, which was 235, and rises 1-2 points every year. Just be sure to apply to a lot of programs, get good LORs, and attend every interview possible. Good luck.

235!!!😕 Wow, that's not far behind Derm. I also applied to two residencies (Ophtho and Gas) and did not make up my mind until the last minute.... and still questioning the choice considering current job prospects in Optho 😡 It's not a problem to apply to both, but make sure your LOR's are general or make sure someone reads them. I had an Anesthesia letter get out to the Ophtho programs by accident. Not a real issue in the end though.

These are the 2009 match stats.... http://www.sfmatch.org/residency/ophthalmology/about_match/match_report.pdf

 

[JMK2005]

235!!!😕 Wow, that's not far behind Derm. I also applied to two residencies (Ophtho and Gas) and did not make up my mind until the last minute.... and still questioning the choice considering current job prospects in Optho 😡 It's not a problem to apply to both, but make sure your LOR's are general or make sure someone reads them. I had an Anesthesia letter get out to the Ophtho programs by accident. Not a real issue in the end though.

These are the 2009 match stats.... http://www.sfmatch.org/residency/ophthalmology/about_match/match_report.pdf

Ultimately, you should pick a field that you can be passionate about. If I had to do it again, I would choose ophthalmology, regardless of the job prospects.

It's understandable to see the grass greener on the otherside, but, if you're only chasing $green$, I'll think you'll be disappointed in the long term.

 

[Cali MS4]

Thanks everyone for the helpful comments, although slightly under the average score there is no harm in trying for a field I'm very passionate about. Ultimately would love do Peds Ophtho.

 

[Cali MS4]

Hey everyone,
I did it 🙂 I matched into a presitigious program (my #1) in an awesome city with well-renowned attendings !!!! 🙂