Is mediocre even the word?

[Edified]

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Hey,
Just spent 2 hours reading through the posts here and I've been coming to the conclusion that maybe I need to reconsider my career goals.

3rd year at a "top 20" school, 224 step1, all pass so far on clerkships, and very skinny research. What should my next step be? Not sure I want to take a year off to research.

 

[cdql]

I think you should ask your dean if you're competitive. I know my dean has a list of applicants who applied and who matched in each field. If you can compare yourself to past students who matched, then you might have a better idea of what you can and can't get into.

I think if you can get some great LOR's and beef up the research and remaining grades, you should have a shot. (My dean is always telling me that one year isn't going to make a big difference so if optho is something you really want to get into, it might be wise to take a year off for research just to prove your commitment to that field and possibly curry favor with the PD!)

 

[RonaldColeman]

Hey,
Just spent 2 hours reading through the posts here and I've been coming to the conclusion that maybe I need to reconsider my career goals.

3rd year at a "top 20" school, 224 step1, all pass so far on clerkships, and very skinny research. What should my next step be? Not sure I want to take a year off to research.

The competitiveness of opthalmology is overstated. My school (lower tier) matched 9/11. It is not in the same tier as rad onc, derm, plastics, ent, and ortho. Your step 1 is right at the average for matched opthos nationwide. Get to know the optho faculty at your school and start research now.

 

[DOCTORSAIB]

The competitiveness of opthalmology is overstated. My school (lower tier) matched 9/11. It is not in the same tier as rad onc, derm, plastics, ent, and ortho. Your step 1 is right at the average for matched opthos nationwide. Get to know the optho faculty at your school and start research now.

I could have sworn I saw 230 as the national avg. for matched ophtho applicants in 2006.

 

[I Surgeon]

The competitiveness of opthalmology is overstated. My school (lower tier) matched 9/11. It is not in the same tier as rad onc, derm, plastics, ent, and ortho. Your step 1 is right at the average for matched opthos nationwide. Get to know the optho faculty at your school and start research now.

Hey guys. This dude is a troll. Look at his past posts. All he does is go around to different specialty boards and talks about board scores, especially in the more prestigious ones. 😴 The match average this year in ophtho was 230 and is as competitive as some of the specialties mentioned. However, with a score of 224, good LORs, and solid grades, I believe you should apply next year. Remember 230 is only an average with some scores higher, some lower. good luck!

 

[babyblue_39]

You never know if you don't try. There are so many intangible factors that go into an application. That being said, you should think about whether you want to have a backup and how much being an Ophthalmologist is worth to you (would you rather go unmatched and reapply or do you think you'd be happy doing something else). Good luck!

 

[speyeder]

Coming from a top 20 school will help get you interviews. Although your step1 is below the average for matched applicants, you can make up for it by honoring your ophtho electives and getting awesome letters of recommendation. Try to get involved in some sort of research that is publishable or presentable in the near future. Examples are case reports, ARVO posters, abstracts, etc. Basic science research takes too long to publish. Ask the ophtho residents in your program if they need help on ongoing projects. Finally, talk to the chairman/PD at your ophtho program now to start making connections.

 

[PDT4CNV]

Hey,
Just spent 2 hours reading through the posts here and I've been coming to the conclusion that maybe I need to reconsider my career goals.

3rd year at a "top 20" school, 224 step1, all pass so far on clerkships, and very skinny research. What should my next step be? Not sure I want to take a year off to research.

The absolute best thing you can do, is during your ophthalmology rotations, do an amazing job in clinic with the residents and the faculty. As a student you do very little in the OR, so better to spend time in clinic. Reas as much as possible at night. If the residents and faculty are impressed with you, you have a great chance at that program, and if you have an outstanding letter of rec from the chairman or program director, that will serve you very well at other programs. Research of course helps too.

 

[RonaldColeman]

Hey guys. This dude is a troll. Look at his past posts. All he does is go around to different specialty boards and talks about board scores, especially in the more prestigious ones. 😴 The match average this year in ophtho was 230 and is as competitive as some of the specialties mentioned. However, with a score of 224, good LORs, and solid grades, I believe you should apply next year. Remember 230 is only an average with some scores higher, some lower. good luck!

It has nothing to do with being a troll. Optho is definitely a competitive specialty, but it is not as competitive as derm, ent, plastics, and rad onc. I say this not to disparage optho; rather, I'm simply trying to give some hope to the OP. When you have an average usmle score, and you think the specialty you are applying to is the most difficult to match into, it can be disheartening.