Chances

[hellooo]

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Hi everyone!

I'm a 3rd year medical student. Just recently started considering optho but am wondering if it's too late/if i might need to take a year off to have a decent chance of matching

Stats:
-229/83 on step 1
-not AOA, mostly As and Bs preclinical, mostly As 3rd year no honors
-state school, highly ranked for primary care but not top-mid tier in general I don't think
-no home optho program
-research in undergrad, research and 2 pubs in surgery in med school
-lots of extracurriculars, volunteer activities etc
-not restricted by location of optho program

Thanks for any insight!

 

[billambeer]

Hi everyone!

I'm a 3rd year medical student. Just recently started considering optho but am wondering if it's too late/if i might need to take a year off to have a decent chance of matching

Stats:
-229/83 on step 1
-not AOA, mostly As and Bs preclinical, mostly As 3rd year no honors
-state school, highly ranked for primary care but not top-mid tier in general I don't think
-no home optho program
-research in undergrad, research and 2 pubs in surgery in med school
-lots of extracurriculars, volunteer activities etc
-not restricted by location of optho program

Thanks for any insight!

your biggest blemish is Step 1, but it's not so big as to prohibit admission into residency. I only say that because most schools have a 225 screening tool, increasingly they are 230. it's a ridiculous idea because there are many many good ophthalmologists who aren't receiving interviews but would be superior clinicians.

not having an ophthalmology program is another issue. this is because you will need to submit two letters of recommendation. the more notorious the writer, the better.

Suggestions:

1. getting over screening tools: this can be done with two mechanisms. the first is to use application updates to get program directors' attention. you can do that by providing supplemental letters of recommendation or informing program directors of the new acceptance of a publication. I call the supplemental letter part the "George Costanza strategy." rotate with at least three ophthalmologists and ask for a letter from all three, submit two with the app then keep the third to submit later... as an excuse to get their attention again (like George would leave his coat or clock at a girl's house as an excuse to come back).

the second is to ask attendings to call programs on your behalf. there are many well-informed, old, and knowledgeable people in ophthalmology who suggest that this is not effective. I received invitations to two big schools because of one of my professor's efforts. it was awesome; in other words, in most cases those who suggest that you not do this are probably largely right, but in some cases wrong. so it can't hurt to ask.

2. getting over school: do an away rotation in a school that has a substantial or famous ophthalmology program. given your Step 1 score, I would say that the purpose is not to get an interview or match there (though that could happen), but more to obtain letters and research projects. a school like Oklahoma, Iowa or Utah is an ideal location for something like this. they are research powerhouses with robust away programs and are largely amenable to people like you.

 

[member81686]

Hey guys,

I'm in a similar situation as the OP- just completed a 3rd-yr elective in ophtho and absolutely loved it. As I am coming into the specialty a bit late, how do you all think I should maximize my chances of matching next year? I think my step 1 is OK enough to get me past screening requirements, but I'm a bit concerned about my class rank and pre-clinical grades.

I've already decided that I need to take step 2 early and apply broadly. Should I schedule several aways this summer as well?

Stats:
- 232 on step 1
- not AOA, third quartile grades 1st and 2nd yrs, 3rd yr honors in medicine, family, neurology, HP psych, P surgery, OB. Starting peds in a month.
- 2 years research as a post-bacc, substantial non-ophtho research in med school (1 first author pub, 6 second/third author, presentation at national allergy conference with award in basic science research, NIH med student training grant)
- volunteer ECs, peer-review editor for journal

 

[Bluesclera]

It would be important to get to know your home program very well. Shadow them, actively participate in clinic, and start a research project (possibly a case report or clinical project). Your goal is not to get the most publications but to get your name around throughout your department and then do away rotations that give you one on one time with a professor and help you get strong letters prior to your application deadline.