How screwed am I?

[Embarrassed Applicant]

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I’m in need of some advice in a big way! I just realized, nearly a month after submitting my SF Match app, that I have committed the cardinal sin as an ophthalmology applicant… I misspelled ophthalmology on my application!!!! Considering how much I stared at that freaking thing I have no idea how 2(!!!) instances of a misspelling/typo (“opthalmology”) made it through, but they did. Sure, I spelled it correctly 20 times elsewhere in the application, but that is of little consolation now. Uuuuuuuuugggggghhhhh! Before realizing my mistake I felt like I was a relatively strong candidate: 260+ on Step 1, a first author publication for ophtho research, an oral presentation at AAO, and junior AOA. Now, not so much. Is this as bad as I think it is? Everyone always jokes about making this mistake, I can’t freaking believe that I actually did it.

 

[DrZeke]

I’m in need of some advice in a big way! I just realized, nearly a month after submitting my SF Match app, that I have committed the cardinal sin as an ophthalmology applicant… I misspelled ophthalmology on my application!!!! Considering how much I stared at that freaking thing I have no idea how 2(!!!) instances of a misspelling/typo (“opthalmology”) made it through, but they did. Sure, I spelled it correctly 20 times elsewhere in the application, but that is of little consolation now. Uuuuuuuuugggggghhhhh! Before realizing my mistake I felt like I was a relatively strong candidate: 260+ on Step 1, a first author publication for ophtho research, an oral presentation at AAO, and junior AOA. Now, not so much. Is this as bad as I think it is? Everyone always jokes about making this mistake, I can’t freaking believe that I actually did it.

Screwed...

All joking aside... I think you're actually fine. I mean everyone makes a mistake once in a while and you sound like an incredible applicant. If someone is going to discount your excellent application because of 1 single typo that seems petty. Also they would be stupid to do so.


Thinking about the logistics of it...I suspect that if it's just once and you spell it right everywhere else most ppl reading won't notice and if they do their eyes will dart to the next "ophthalmology" and say "oh that was a little mistake".

Also, imagine this conversation between two PDs where one says... "oh ya we couldn't interview "260 junior AOA" he FORGOT a letter in a word in his personal statement".

Come on... Think about it... Someone else back me up here 🙂

 

[long]

This is why you don't look at your application again after you submit it and can't change anything. What's done is done. You can't do anything about it so don't worry about it.

 

[Embarrassed Applicant]

Screwed...

All joking aside... I think you're actually fine. I mean everyone makes a mistake once in a while and you sound like an incredible applicant. If someone is going to discount your excellent application because of 1 single typo that seems petty. Also they would be stupid to do so.


Thinking about the logistics of it...I suspect that if it's just once and you spell it right everywhere else most ppl reading won't notice and if they do their eyes will dart to the next "ophthalmology" and say "oh that was a little mistake".

Also, imagine this conversation between two PDs where one says... "oh ya we couldn't interview "260 junior AOA" he FORGOT a letter in a word in his personal statement".

Come on... Think about it... Someone else back me up here 🙂

Thanks for the support! I appreciate it. Under normal circumstances I wouldn't be so concerned about a typo, but this processes has gotten me pretty wound up. Hopefully I'll get some interviews soon and all will be well!

This is why you don't look at your application again after you submit it and can't change anything. What's done is done. You can't do anything about it so don't worry about it.

I definitely agree with you, but easier said than done unfortunately. I was copying some of the verbiage I used for ERAS application when I noticed the mistake. Oh well I guess. Like you said, nothing to be done about it now.

 

[sunday]

They may make a joke about it on interview day or make you take spelling lessons after they take you as a resident but they will still interview you 😉

Seriously you're fine. I used to get worked up over things like this too. Now that I'm in my last year of training, I've realized that attendings are way too busy and have many other things to deal with to even think about something like this.