desperate for a vacancy

[futureidoc]

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hi all... first off, i want to thank everyone for their advice and encouragement... this really is a great community and you will all make fine ophthalmologists and human beings in the future... i have gone unsuccessful in matching 2 years now.. i ended up doing my internship, which will be completed next month, and have been offered to continue by my program director... i have accepted the offer and will continue with internal medicine... it may seem as if i am giving up or to some that i am not willing to go all out for it, but at this point in my life i feel burned out from trying for so many years with no success, and have decided to play it safe for once... let me explain...

i grew up in california and my parents decided to move back to pakistan when i was getting ready to go in to highschool.. so i ended up going to an american embassy highschool and then medschool over there... although i loved my experience in south-east asia (i.e. the subcontinent) i always have felt that my home is here in america and have wanted to train and spend my life here... when i was in my last year of med school, i did 3 away rotations (2 at MEEI and 1 at UCSF) and got great letters... then i took some time off applying and did 2 years of full-time research at stanford where i had 3 pulications (2 first author), 3-4 poster presentations, 1 research grant (for $25,000), and a patent under my name for the product that i helped develop... and after all of that, i still didn't match... twice... my board scores weren't excellent, but they weren't dismal either... i got 83/204 in both of them (i have known people to get in with worse)... all along the interview trail, i heard the same thing over and over again... you didn't graduate from here, so we can't take a chance... i more than understood where they were coming from, but afteral, i had excellent letters from some of the best programs in the country vouching for me... and one would imagine that my dedication to the field would show from all that i have sacrificed for it...

so anyways, i am now so tired from working for something that now seems like a pipe dream... the program director of my home program just the other day was like, how about taking a year off and doing research... i was like aaaaaaahhhhh... i mean after all that i have done, i don't know if i can take another year of working my butt off, kissing ass 24/7, and then in the end having some dude tell me that yeah you're a nice guy but we just can't take a chance with you... so i guess medicine, here i come...

but here's the twist, i am not at all bitter for the direction my life has taken.. if i could do it all over again, i would in a heart beat... ophthalmology still is, and will always remain, my true passion in life... that's why i would still do whatever it takes to get a position... but i just don't think that i can take the risk aspect of it anymore... i mean, i would do 5 years of research and become someones bench boy if they would garuntee me the spot after that... i just got married last year, and now i have to think for the two of us... i can't affor to take chances when it comes to my career anymore... and medicine is something that i have in my hand right now...

i don't know why i am saying all of this, or if there is a point to it... but i just thought that this was a place where i could get this off my chest and have people understand it... I have always worked for everything in my life, and it has been an uphill battle... i am not scared to get my hands dirty and work for something and don't expect things to be handed to me for free... given the circumstance that i am in, does anyone out there have any input/ideas... or is it time to call it a day and just be content with what i have... is there is good place to find out about last minute vacancies/drop outs... i know that they are few and far between but i still would like to keep my eyes open..... i was told of the AUPO website, but only see faculty vacancies, nothing for residency... thanks again everyone...

 

[twintiger32]

Hey man,

Wow...what a long and difficult process you are going through! You definitely were fighting an uphill battle.

best of luck to you in your internal medicine residency...i wish you a life of happiness even though it wasn't your first choice. who knows, maybe this is what you were "supposed" to do. 😕

 

[JMK2005]

Did you pursue the vacancies on sfmatch?

--------------------------------------------------------
Ophthalmology Residency: PGY-2 - 2007

Last Updated: 05/01/07

354.62 UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School
DESCRIPTION: Offering a PGY-2 position to begin on 07/01/2007.
Pre-requisites: Completion of PGY-I and internship prior to July 1, 2007.
Our program ranks in the top 15% nationally in surgical volume. All resident clinics are staffed by full-time attendings; we train no fellows so that all clinic and surgical experiences are supervised by attending physicians, not fellows.

Interested applicants should fax the following documents: CV or resume, personal statement, thee letters of reference, US-MLE Step II, college and medical school transcripts and ECFMG certificate (applicable to International Medical Graduates).

CONTACT: Sherri Moorman
Secretary
PHONE: (973) 972-2063
FAX: (973) 972-2068
ADDRESS: The Institute of Ophthalmology & Visual Science
UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School
Doctors Office Center
90 Bergen Street, 6th floor
Newark, NJ 07101-1709

POSTED: 03/14/07


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[V05]

I agree with you- I don't think more research will help. You have already gotten publications and great letters from your previous research.

I think what hurt you the most is porbably your USMLE score- your letters and research could probably have compensated for your med school to some extent.

Lastly, I agree with the above post- I know people who got spots through SF Match vacancies (good programs, too)- good luck!

 

[Pinkertinkle]

I think research is most helpful for the top programs.
The more average programs out there don't care so much about what you've published.

 

[DOapplicant]

it's not a very efficent system, but maybe you could just call all the programs out there and find out if there is a vacancy somewhere.
perhaps a program not wanting to advertise a vacancy on the SFM website might be willing to inform you through a personal phone call.
it's a long shot, i know.

also, i know of someone who mathced into an ophtho residency AFTER im residency. it's a very uncommon occurrence but if you decide to finish your two years of im training, you could make one last attempt then.

sorry i don't have anything else to offer you.

i wish things had worked out more to your liking.

 

[speyeder]

I agree with you- I don't think more research will help. You have already gotten publications and great letters from your previous research.

I think what hurt you the most is porbably your USMLE score- your letters and research could probably have compensated for your med school to some extent.

Lastly, I agree with the above post- I know people who got spots through SF Match vacancies (good programs, too)- good luck!

I agree. More research will probably not help. Each year that you re-apply diminishes your chances of matching. Programs know how many previous times you applied, and being unsuccessful in prior attempts is generally looked upon in a negative way. The combination of your low board scores + your FMG status might have proven too much to overlook for the programs you applied to. The reality is that there are many U.S. allopathic and osteopathic grads, as well as other FMGs who also have a lot of research and higher board scores who do not match.

But don't lose all hope. Openings do pop up unexpectedly. Good luck.

 

[futureidoc]

wow, i was not expecing all of those replies... speyeder, doapplicant, pinkertinkle, v05, jmk2005, and twintiger32 thank you all for your warm replies... thanks for confirming what i had an idea of, i.e.. that more research will not help... also, i think that it was the combo of board scores + fmg that did me in... at the same time, thank you for your encouragement... in the sense that i will never give up hope, because this really is my true calling in life... it's what makes me happier than anything else... so i will always be on the look out for an opening... actually, my PD at my home program said that my best shot, realistically speaking, will be some open spot a month or two into the academic year... at that time, programs are scrambling around to fill their spot and aren't as picky.... so yeah, i would not mind even doing ophtho after IM.. nad i do intend on calling ALOT of programs every now and then to make myself available... please do let me know if any of you hears of something interally that isn't advertised... all vacanies posted thus far were dead ends for me... thanks again all...

 

[GuP]

It is very difficult to land a spot as an FMG with LOW USMLE scores. I applaud your dedication and wish you the best. But, I have know several FMGs who have spent 5+ years of research in various places and still have not landed an ophtho spot b/c they scored in the 70s and 80s on the boards. But be positive and you never know. Good luck.

 

[speyeder]

It is very difficult to land a spot as an FMG with LOW USMLE scores. I applaud your dedication and wish you the best. But, I have know several FMGs who have spent 5+ years of research in various places and still have not landed an ophtho spot b/c they scored in the 70s and 80s on the boards. But be positive and you never know. Good luck.

I know a few FMGs with several years of research and high 90s on their boards who didn't match.

 

[DrEyeBall]

I think there is really only one way you could match.

Spend clinical time at a small program and get to know all the faculty there. If they like you and believe you would make a good resident in your program, you have a chance. I think more research will not add anything at this point.

 

[futureidoc]

Thanks for the advice guys... will keep trekking on... and thanks for the big bold LOW USMLE SCORES gup.... 😎 cheers mate....

 

[GuP]

Thanks for the advice guys... will keep trekking on... and thanks for the big bold LOW USMLE SCORES gup.... 😎 cheers mate....

Sorry man I didnt want to come off as mean but rather wanted to be frank. I have seen people spend too much time trying to get into ophtho and I just wanted to give you a heads up. Best of luck.

 

[odieoh]

I feel for you, I didn't match my first time around and I know how hard it is. You have a few strikes against you, none of which individually is all that terrible, but added together they make it difficult for programs to take you as a resident. Some programs don't even consider FMG's at all, so that is a big strike as you are well aware. The programs that do consider FMG's usually still prefer US grads, so when you combine that with your board score, you are in a tough spot. On top of that, interviewing skills are a big factor. The interviews were the biggest problem for me, I had a hard time showing my personality and probably came off as being kind of quiet. Having been on the other side of the interview process now, I see how that can be interview suicide.

One thing you have to realize is that the impression you make at the interview plays a much bigger role in your chances of matching than anything in your application. Understand that both faculty and any residents who will be interviewing you are very busy and probably haven't read through your application as thoroughly as you might think, so dont count on impressive research or publications to be enough. If you are going to run yourself through the wringer again this year, I would consider trying to get some very honest feedback about your interview performance, and maybe get some coaching/practice. Your situation/stats etc sound very similar to an applicant I interviewed this past fall, maybe it was you, maybe not. Regardless, the person I am referring to seemed very quiet and a bit awkward during the interviews and gave very short, businesslike answers without showing much personality/emotion. If you think that might be you, then that is definitely a big strike three against you and you should try to get some help in that area.

 

[GuP]

I feel for you, I didn't match my first time around and I know how hard it is. You have a few strikes against you, none of which individually is all that terrible, but added together they make it difficult for programs to take you as a resident. Some programs don't even consider FMG's at all, so that is a big strike as you are well aware. The programs that do consider FMG's usually still prefer US grads, so when you combine that with your board score, you are in a tough spot. On top of that, interviewing skills are a big factor. The interviews were the biggest problem for me, I had a hard time showing my personality and probably came off as being kind of quiet. Having been on the other side of the interview process now, I see how that can be interview suicide.

One thing you have to realize is that the impression you make at the interview plays a much bigger role in your chances of matching than anything in your application. Understand that both faculty and any residents who will be interviewing you are very busy and probably haven't read through your application as thoroughly as you might think, so dont count on impressive research or publications to be enough. If you are going to run yourself through the wringer again this year, I would consider trying to get some very honest feedback about your interview performance, and maybe get some coaching/practice. Your situation/stats etc sound very similar to an applicant I interviewed this past fall, maybe it was you, maybe not. Regardless, the person I am referring to seemed very quiet and a bit awkward during the interviews and gave very short, businesslike answers without showing much personality/emotion. If you think that might be you, then that is definitely a big strike three against you and you should try to get some help in that area.

Can you give us some insight on how to interview well?

 

[futureidoc]

I feel for you, I didn't match my first time around and I know how hard it is. You have a few strikes against you, none of which individually is all that terrible, but added together they make it difficult for programs to take you as a resident. Some programs don't even consider FMG's at all, so that is a big strike as you are well aware. The programs that do consider FMG's usually still prefer US grads, so when you combine that with your board score, you are in a tough spot. On top of that, interviewing skills are a big factor. The interviews were the biggest problem for me, I had a hard time showing my personality and probably came off as being kind of quiet. Having been on the other side of the interview process now, I see how that can be interview suicide.

One thing you have to realize is that the impression you make at the interview plays a much bigger role in your chances of matching than anything in your application. Understand that both faculty and any residents who will be interviewing you are very busy and probably haven't read through your application as thoroughly as you might think, so dont count on impressive research or publications to be enough. If you are going to run yourself through the wringer again this year, I would consider trying to get some very honest feedback about your interview performance, and maybe get some coaching/practice. Your situation/stats etc sound very similar to an applicant I interviewed this past fall, maybe it was you, maybe not. Regardless, the person I am referring to seemed very quiet and a bit awkward during the interviews and gave very short, businesslike answers without showing much personality/emotion. If you think that might be you, then that is definitely a big strike three against you and you should try to get some help in that area.

hi there... thanks for the insightful reply... i really appreciate it.. i may not have been the person you are thinking about because i have always been complimented on my interviewing skills, not to sound conceited... i have always considered that one of the strongest attibutes of mine... but thank you for the input... just to be on the safe side, i will pm you... it may just have been me, and i do need to improve on that... thanks again for the encouragement...

 

[futureidoc]

just to follow up... what is the best way to find out about vacancies early into this coming year... i assume that they aren't open long enough to actually make it to the sf match vacancies page... is it worth contacting programs randomly a month into the pgy2? thanks