Desperately seeking Ophthalmology!

[i4eye]

Hi folks,
I am an IMG, old grad,zero research experience,need visa and totally committed to Ophthalmology! Not a very encouraging start, is it? Probably the simplest advice in similar circumstances would be to 'forget Ophthalmology'! But I cann't simply do that. I have trained in ophthalmology, loved it and cleared the Membership examination of the British Royal College (london). I am studying for the steps now, determined to score high. I have honours in Ophthalmology from medical school, and specialist qualification from my home country. I don't know why I love Ophthalmology, I just do. It's got to be Ophthal or nothing for me. Besides I'm 35+, and too old for anything new! I know just passion will not carry me through,so any word of advice from my esteemed colleagues? Anything that might help? Thank you and good luck everybody

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[MDEYES]

Clear your steps and do a clinical fellowship in the US, then you can make connections and hope for the best during you application for residency.

GL

 

[Wolverine98]

Clear your steps and do a clinical fellowship in the US, then you can make connections and hope for the best during you application for residency.

I agree. That's usually going to be your best chance.

 

[i4eye]

Thanks guys. Any idea about pre-residency clinical vis-a-vis research fellowship? Advantages, easier to get into etc? Any place that might consider an IMG? I heard Iowa sometimes offers such fellowships to IMGs. Is that true?

 

[MacularStar]

If you have already done research, I would consider a clinical fellowship. Drs. Jerry and Carol Shields at Wills Eye take IMGs as clinical fellows. This is where I would go if I were in your situation. They are super nice and really big in ocular oncology. They also publish A LOT.

 

[i4eye]

Thanks a lot Macular Star,
I did some research in my doctorate degree from my home country. But research in developing countries, as you might know are not always very promising. I submitted my thesis, got my degree, that's it! It was not published in any major journals. Besides after working in a developed country (England) for some time now and after having started my preps for my steps, i realize that my study design was fallacious!So nothing there really! But your advice is great, i 'll try that. Thanks a lot, friend, and good luck!

 

[ahassan]

hi, i'm an img who just graduated from med school this march. i'm giving my step 1 exam in march, step 2ck in july and step 2 cs in aug 2009. i've heard that opthalomolgy is an early match program, so is my time line for the steps adequte or is it late for the 2010 match? i really want to do residency in opthalmology. in sofar, i've not done any electives or have any clinical experience in the US. so what are my chances? I would really like some helpful advice in this matter. thanks.

 

[koolkatmd]

ahassan,
I think your timeline sounds fine. However, make sure you spell it correctly on your application.... Ophthalmology. Good Luck!

 

[ahassan]

thanks for posting, will take care of the spelling!

 

[little princess]

Hi everyone. sorry to bother you, but I really need your advice and will be very thankful if you help me. I am an IM student, will graduate next year. i am getting ready for steps and want to take a residency in Ophtlamology in US, but I've learnt that chances for IMG in Ophtalmology in US is very low. Is that true? I want to continue working in this field very much, it is practicle the only thing that really interests me, I just love it and don't know what to do if I won't be able to continue in this field. what can you advise me to do? how can I increase my chances of getting in the residency in Ophtalmology in US? Thank you beforehand

 

[MacularStar]

For ophthalmology match statistics follow this link: http://www.sfmatch.org/residency/ophthalmology/about_match/match_rules.htm

go to About the Match-->Statistics.
You will see that 21-33% of IMGs who apply to ophtho matched in the past. This is small, but not impossible. See above posts to figure out how you can max your chances. This is what I have learned from friends who are IMGs and from working in different cultures...

1) First decide if being an ophtho resident in the US is really what you want!!
2) Ace the Steps (1,2,3) aim for >99
3) Work in the US doing research, or something so you can IMMERSE yourself in the culture. This way you will learn US social behavior, graces, etiquette, and improve your Eng speaking/writing (I was born in the US and still working on this ). All of this will help for your steps and interviews.
4) Get great letters of recs from people who are well known in the field.
5) Do some away rotations at residencies that have a long history of accepting IMGs
6) Apply to many programs (ie.70) (>$400) and hope for the best.

Good luck!

 

[little princess]

thank you soo much for your advice, MacularStar.
well I attanded a clinical clerckship in ophtalmology this summer in Ankara, Turkey. In the hospital of Hacettepe University. I've got a certificate and a recomendation letter too from that department, but I don't know how well known that proffesor is in ophtalmology, It was Prof. Dr. Ugur Erdener. will this be helpful? I mean I know that I will need some more of those recs but how do you think will this rec be considered? and one more question can you advice me any of well known Profs in this field to whom I can go for clinical clerckships or smth. like that? But i think many of them won't take an IMG.or am I wrong?

 

[MacularStar]

thank you soo much for your advice, MacularStar.
well I attanded a clinical clerckship in ophtalmology this summer in Ankara, Turkey. In the hospital of Hacettepe University. I've got a certificate and a recomendation letter too from that department, but I don't know how well known that proffesor is in ophtalmology, It was Prof. Dr. Ugur Erdener. will this be helpful? I mean I know that I will need some more of those recs but how do you think will this rec be considered? and one more question can you advice me any of well known Profs in this field to whom I can go for clinical clerckships or smth. like that? But i think many of them won't take an IMG.or am I wrong?

If I were you I would try to work with a faculty member in the US for a letter of rec. I do not know of Dr. Erdener... but am only a med student so don't know all the big international names. Medical schools WILL take IMGs for clinical ELECTIVES. I worked at Cleveland Clinic and Wills Eye with IMG students. As for "big names" in ophtho... check pubmed for ophtho papers or look up faculty at the big ophtho academic centers. By reading through the threads on this forum you can get a good idea of the major programs.

 

[eye dude]

. Medical schools WILL take IMGs for clinical ELECTIVES. I worked at Cleveland Clinic and Wills Eye with IMG students.

I have already graduated this year ,can I apply for these clinical electives ?? ( I heard they are only for students)

if not what are the alternativs to get LORs ???

 

[MacularStar]

I have already graduated this year ,can I apply for these clinical electives ?? ( I heard they are only for students)

if not what are the alternativs to get LORs ???

Research or clinical fellowship or work doing clinical research at an academic institution. Set this up by talking emailing, calling, and reading about programs on the web.