Casey Eye

[Pike]

I've read and heard a lot of positive things about Casey Eye - my understanding is that it's becoming a top program. Anyone with recent interview experience (or perhaps a current resident or matchee) willing to share how competitive this program has become? For example, do they only interview the top candidates? Strongly prefer OHSU students? Emphasize applicants with heavy research backgrounds? Only people with 250 on Step 1 on the interview trail? Any observations will help. Thanks.

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[Ophth_06]

I've read and heard a lot of positive things about Casey Eye - my understanding is that it's becoming a top program. Anyone with recent interview experience (or perhaps a current resident or matchee) willing to share how competitive this program has become? For example, do they only interview the top candidates? Strongly prefer OHSU students? Emphasize applicants with heavy research backgrounds? Only people with 250 on Step 1 on the interview trail? Any observations will help. Thanks.

Casey is an awesome program. The program is very competitive. A number of factors contribute to this, including location, facilities, and a prominent faculty. Interview candidates all seemed very qualified and I imagine were among top 1/2 to 1/3 of the applicant pool. I think research is def. a plus and helps. I do not think they prefer OHSU students, in fact this year they did take 2 but this has never happened in the past, and usually they take 1 every 2-3 years. Hope this helps.

 

[babyblue_39]

Casey is an amazing program and Portland is absolutely GORGEOUS!! Very friendly and they're currently building a new high-tech eye center. I think it is competitive also because it is on the West Coast. The location allows them to attract top quality attendings... but all that doesn't matter. If you are interested you should apply - don't choose your programs based on what you estimate your chances will be. There are many factors outside of numbers and you don't know if you don't try. I didn't believe I'd get any West Coast interviews so I didn't bother applying to many programs out there, which I regret. Good luck.

 

[golf sucks]

I interviewed at Casey, and the program is awesome, definitely one of the best. Great facilities, well-known attendings, dedicated research time, and everyone seemed very friendly, though I thought the interview itself was tough, with some "mild" grilling, panel style. The program has the 7th highest research funding among the ophthalmology programs.The program also has excellent surgical numbers. You would do well in academic or private practice after training here. I think they might be expanding to 5 spots somewhere in the near future. I heard they had around 500 applications for 4 spots and people who I saw at Casey were the same people I saw at Bascom Palmer and Iowa....and the buzz was all about Casey. The program is very competitive, but I say go for it. On the interview trail I heard there was some bias towards their own students and students from Baylor...but this was probably just rumor. I know that 2 of the students who matched there were from the midwest....one from UW-Madison, and one from Michigan. So I don't think the geographic bias rumor is that fair. The city was beautiful...but I gather... lots of rain in the winter. Hope this all helps. Sorry I don't remember too many tiny details like call, rotation arrangement etc.

 

[Pike]

Thanks everyone for the helpful information.

 

[Visioncam]

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