DO applying for ophthalmology

[hopefulophthalmology]

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DO applicant. Am very confused on whether to apply to SF match or not.
My usmle score is a 220's for step 1. Am top 35% in class rank have a 3.7 GPA. My comlex score is above 600 at a 90th percentile
1 first author publication in a major eye journal. Participated in a few rads - posters only.
No honors on my shelf.
Have a masters degree in Engineering. Am working with world renowned onc ophthalmologist and hoping to write case report.
Am taking step2 and comlex 2 in August. Hoping to do much better on these exams then the ones taken previously. Once I have my score in mid -late september, I then intend on submitting my application if I have a good score.
Have a few AOA rotations scheduled.
I know the odds are stacked against me, heavily. But as everyone who has loved ophthalmology, I do not see myself doing anything else. I don't like being at hospitals, I have not enjoyed any of my other rotations and have felt very mentally lazy.
Anyone with an inspiring story from a DO standpoint.
What do you guys think ? should I apply to the SF match or not ? I know that one of the posters above commented on the fact that you are not serious about ophthalmology unless you sit for the USMLE and apply to the SF match.
There are a handful of AOA programs and it looks like we might be having several applicants with stellar 600's.

 

[DermViser]

DO applicant. Am very confused on whether to apply to SF match or not.
My usmle score is a 220's for step 1. Am top 35% in class rank have a 3.7 GPA. My comlex score is above 600 at a 90th percentile
1 first author publication in a major eye journal. Participated in a few rads - posters only.
No honors on my shelf.
Have a masters degree in Engineering. Am working with world renowned onc ophthalmologist and hoping to write case report.
Am taking step2 and comlex 2 in August. Hoping to do much better on these exams then the ones taken previously. Once I have my score in mid -late september, I then intend on submitting my application if I have a good score.
Have a few AOA rotations scheduled.
I know the odds are stacked against me, heavily. But as everyone who has loved ophthalmology, I do not see myself doing anything else. I don't like being at hospitals, I have not enjoyed any of my other rotations and have felt very mentally lazy.
Anyone with an inspiring story from a DO standpoint.
What do you guys think ? should I apply to the SF match or not ? I know that one of the posters above commented on the fact that you are not serious about ophthalmology unless you sit for the USMLE and apply to the SF match.
There are a handful of AOA programs and it looks like we might be having several applicants with stellar 600's.

Might help to post this in the Ophthalmology thread.

 

[BurghStudent]

Ditto above. But also, ophthalmology is unique for now because you can apply for the SF Match and the AOA match. If you don't get into an ACGME program, you can still apply to AOA programs, because of the match schedule.

 

[notbobtrustme]

isn't the number of DO matches/year into optho countable on one hand?

 

[BurghStudent]

isn't the number of DO matches/year into optho countable on one hand?

Yes, perhaps ACGME matches, but they have their own AOA programs with a few dozen matches.

 

[PhillyMed777]

https://services.aamc.org/eras/erasstats/par/display8.cfm?NAV_ROW=PAR&SPEC_CD=O56
above is true. but it doesn't seem like many AOA programs either...under ophtho programs in osteopath residencies i counted a dozen

 

[DermViser]

isn't the number of DO matches/year into optho countable on one hand?

 

[evilbooyaa]

isn't the number of DO matches/year into optho countable on one hand?

I believe this is true for DO matches into ACGME programs.

OP - Do aways at 3 AOA DO Ophtho programs. Rock them and convince them that despite your sub-par Step 1 score (not sure how good a 600 on comlex is in comparison) they'd be silly not to take you. Also, do more research. Even if it's an AOA program, it's still ophtho.

 

[Mehd School]

I believe this is true for DO matches into ACGME programs.

OP - Do aways at 3 AOA DO Ophtho programs. Rock them and convince them that despite your sub-par Step 1 score (not sure how good a 600 on comlex is in comparison) they'd be silly not to take you. Also, do more research. Even if it's an AOA program, it's still ophtho.

I think a 600 is quite competitive fwiw.

 

[Swilson]

Based on the fact that you have a publication in an eye journal, it seems that you have known you wanted to do ophthalmology for a while. So, did you take the USMLE? If not, why didn't you?

 

[DermViser]

Based on the fact that you have a publication in an eye journal, it seems that you have known you wanted to do ophthalmology for a while. So, did you take the USMLE? If not, why didn't you?

You realize there are D.O. Ophtho residencies right? Stop trolling.