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It depends on how badly you want to do ophthalmology. It is not unreasonable to apply only to ophthalmology if one's record is decent then dual apply the next time, particularly if the second choice specialty is not too competitive.
Step 1 scores and grades are not spectacular but it can partly be offset by good recommendations and good physical appearance. Do not laugh, looks matter. In the case of men, height + not too fat + looks. I plead guilty, meaning my looks is not hideous and greater than the 50th percentile but not in the 99th percentile.
View attachment 375620
very competitive residency program
versus
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not a competitive family medicine residency program
The 2 residency programs were selected then photos sought, not vice versa. So not cherry picked.
Thanks for your perspective, its encouraging. I am in same boat Applying this seaon. I can indeed see myself doing both. If you dont mind, will you be able to share your stats and schools you received interviews ? Were you applying to same schools for both? How did you manage to juggle both interviews? Any tips on prioritizing?I applied to IM and ophthalmology. Made sure to get IM recs for IM and ophtho recs for ophtho. It was a busy interview season.. When I early-matched ophtho in January, I withdrew from the regular match.
I only did this because i genuinely liked both IM and ophtho and would've been happy doing either one. If you love ophthalmology and only ophthalmology, don't apply for something else as a backup because if you match into the backup, you might be miserable.