Does a certain Step 1 score = almost automatic interview?

[golfman]

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One interesting thing about applying to Ophthalmology is that there is not a plethora of data about what residency directors deem important, like there is with NRMP and their huge PDF.

To those with experience, either on the interview trail or those on selection committees, is there a Step 1 score that almost always gets you an interview?

 

[speyeder]

The simple answer is no. Although high board scores are important, there is no magical score that will automatically guarantee an interview. Generally speaking 240 and above on Step 1 should allow you to pass the initial screening process of most programs. But other factors such as where you go to medical school, the reputation of your home ophthalmology program and the quality of your LORs appear to be equally if not more important.

Incidentally there was an article published last year regarding the selection criteria in ophthalmology residency admission. Here's the link:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20110128

 

[PRPetrator]

I agree with Speyeder. To give you a frame of reference that I wish I had had, I got 10 interview offers out of 44 apps with 263/268/AOA. No real red flags but mid-tier state school and minimal research. So if there is a magic number it has got to be very very high. Being well rounded is definitely important.

On top of that, I think some programs hedge their bets by interviewing some "less desirable" applicants along with stronger ones in order to avoid having unfilled spots, and thus pass up some strong applicants in order to ensure a more diverse group. I know some stellar applicants who got big name interviews yet got rejections from less prestigious places. Bottom line, don't be cocky regardless of your score and apply broadly, you can always turn down interviews.

 

[golfman]

The simple answer is no. Although high board scores are important, there is no magical score that will automatically guarantee an interview. Generally speaking 240 and above on Step 1 should allow you to pass the initial screening process of most programs. But other factors such as where you go to medical school, the reputation of your home ophthalmology program and the quality of your LORs appear to be equally if not more important.

Incidentally there was an article published last year regarding the selection criteria in ophthalmology residency admission. Here's the link:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20110128

Thanks for the link. Interesting.

 

[golfman]

On top of that, I think some programs hedge their bets by interviewing some "less desirable" applicants along with stronger ones in order to avoid having unfilled spots, and thus pass up some strong applicants in order to ensure a more diverse group. I know some stellar applicants who got big name interviews yet got rejections from less prestigious places. Bottom line, don't be cocky regardless of your score and apply broadly, you can always turn down interviews.

Great points here, hadn't thought about it that way.

 

[GuitarHero1]

I agree with Speyeder. To give you a frame of reference that I wish I had had, I got 10 interview offers out of 44 apps with 263/268/AOA. No real red flags but mid-tier state school and minimal research. So if there is a magic number it has got to be very very high. Being well rounded is definitely important.

On top of that, I think some programs hedge their bets by interviewing some "less desirable" applicants along with stronger ones in order to avoid having unfilled spots, and thus pass up some strong applicants in order to ensure a more diverse group. I know some stellar applicants who got big name interviews yet got rejections from less prestigious places. Bottom line, don't be cocky regardless of your score and apply broadly, you can always turn down interviews.

In addition to that, some lower tier programs may not interview very strong applicants because it is a waste for their limited interviewee space. These very strong applicants will not want to go to a lower tier program most likely so they won't rank it highly, so why even interview them when a less strong but still more than adequate applicant can take that interview spot?

I think having very strong board scores, great clinical grades and great letters will get you interviews. Will they be in top tier programs? Not necessarily. Will they be many interviews? Depends on how many you apply to all together.

 

[MstaKing10]

In addition to that, some lower tier programs may not interview very strong applicants because it is a waste for their limited interviewee space. These very strong applicants will not want to go to a lower tier program most likely so they won't rank it highly, so why even interview them when a less strong but still more than adequate applicant can take that interview spot?

I think having very strong board scores, great clinical grades and great letters will get you interviews. Will they be in top tier programs? Not necessarily. Will they be many interviews? Depends on how many you apply to all together.

Not sure I agree with this. Iv'e heard this time and time again, particularly on this forum, but after serving on our residency interview committee I can tell you that no program director considers their program mid tier, they all think they are top notch for one reason or another, otherwise, they wouldn't have the job. Thus, I think they select based on the best applicants they can get. This theory that they don't want to interview top applicants is bogus in my opinion.

Not only that, but in general top applicants know who they are. I mean, seriously, a 245 board score with excellent recs and research experience is pretty cut and dry. I understand the competetiveness of the match and all but they will likely not apply to the so called "low tier" schools. Thus, there is some self selection in that regard.

I do agree though that one must cover their bases and apply broadly.

 

[HawaiiHereICome]

The simple answer is no. Although high board scores are important, there is no magical score that will automatically guarantee an interview. Generally speaking 240 and above on Step 1 should allow you to pass the initial screening process of most programs. But other factors such as where you go to medical school, the reputation of your home ophthalmology program and the quality of your LORs appear to be equally if not more important.

Does this really matter much? Or is it like the "it doesn't matter where you go to undergrad" arguments we get in the pre-allo forum. Guess I'm going to UMiami for medical school then.

 

[speyeder]

Does this really matter much? Or is it like the "it doesn't matter where you go to undergrad" arguments we get in the pre-allo forum. Guess I'm going to UMiami for medical school then.

I think it's a pretty big factor. Ophthalmology is a small field and reputation does matter.