competitive

[tennik]

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Are all opthalmology residencies highly competitive? What kind of grades/board scores are needed to get into the less competitive programs?

 

[Andrew_Doan]

Welcome to the board! You may want to read through the FAQ.

In regards to your question:

How competitive is ophthalmology?

Applicants usually are very strong candidates with good grades in medical school, excellent board scores, demonstrated interest in ophthalmology, and outstanding letters of recommendation. Here are some statistics from the 2001 match:

CAS Participants: 798
Matched Participants: 435 (379 were new US Seniors, 83% of new US Seniors matched)
Matched Avg. USMLE I: 227
Unmatched Avg. USMLE I: 206
Avg. applications: 36
Avg. interviews: 7.5
Number of FMG?s matched: 23

Trends have shown that the matching group averages are rising, indicating increased competitiveness.

 

[tennik]

Thanks, but that FAQ is what originally spurred my question. The stats you sent have 227 as the average board score of optho residents, but I know of residencies with averages significantly higher than this. I am wondering if information about specific residencies is available (especially less competitive ones).

More specifically - if I have a high "B" average, score 225 on Step 1, do an optho elective and get good letters - it still doesn't seem that I would be a great applicant for many opthalmology programs. I don't have a location preferance and have true interrest in the field, do you think I should look for less competitive optho programs, or is this too risky?

Thanks again

 

[Andrew_Doan]

Originally posted by tennik
Thanks, but that FAQ is what originally spurred my question. The stats you sent have 227 as the average board score of optho residents, but I know of residencies with averages significantly higher than this. I am wondering if information about specific residencies is available (especially less competitive ones).

More specifically - if I have a high "B" average, score 225 on Step 1, do an optho elective and get good letters - it still doesn't seem that I would be a great applicant for many opthalmology programs. I don't have a location preferance and have true interrest in the field, do you think I should look for less competitive optho programs, or is this too risky?

Thanks again

227 was the average board score of matched residents in 2001 for over 100 programs. With 227 as an average, there will be scores over 250 and there will be scores just below 210, with most clustered around 227.

If you maintain a B average, 225 Step I scores, and obtain outstanding letters of recommendation, then you'll be right on target for many programs.

In addition, keep in mind that there are other factors that will help increase your competitiveness: where you attended medical school, performance during your ophthalmology rotation, life experiences, research, additional degrees, your motivations for pursuing ophthalmology, and who you know.

I recommend that you proceed with one or two ophthalmology electives, and do your best to obtain outstanding letters on your behalf. Apply to about 30 programs. Include some from the most competitive, moderately competitive, less competitive, and some-what competitive programs. They are all fairly competitive programs. 🙂

You're correct that all the programs are competitive and there aren't any that are "easy".

A step I score of 225 will certainly not kill your chances of matching, but it's not going to help much to get you noticed. If this is any reassurance, there are programs that use the USMLE score and your application materials for selection of interviews; and, during the ranking decisions, the USMLE score is not used and ranking is based mainly on the interview and your application materials. Therefore, at these programs, the USMLE score helps but is rarely the definitive factor when deciding the top applicants.

It's difficult to judge your qualifications based on GPA and USMLE scores alone. I suggest that you meet with the director of the medical student ophthalmology rotation at your school. Perhaps she/he may provide you with an honest evaluation of your credentials.

Good luck with your goals!

 

[tennik]

Two more quesitons:

Who should I get to know - other than those who are writing my letters and the residency director at my school?

Information on the nation's top residency programs seems plentiful, but how do I find out which programs are in the other categories you mentioned?

 

[Andrew_Doan]

Originally posted by tennik
Two more quesitons:

Who should I get to know - other than those who are writing my letters and the residency director at my school?

Information on the nation's top residency programs seems plentiful, but how do I find out which programs are in the other categories you mentioned?

The people you listed are the ones you need to know well.

Information about programs can be gleaned from this board, your residency director, faculty, and other residents. You can also visit the websites of the other programs. A list of US residency programs can be found on www.sfmatch.org