Is ophthalmology a realistic option for me?

[wispgirl]

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Hi all,

I apologize profusely if you get these kinds of posts a lot and if there is some kind of rule against them. That being said, I am an MS3 and I am currently considering ophthalmology as a career. I am mostly concerned about whether my Step 1 score (233) and grades (about half High Pass and half Honors in clinical rotations thus far) are up to par for ophthalmology. Other than having one published article about a surgical method and some decent extracurricular activities, I don't really consider myself a stand-out applicant. Anyway, I'd appreciate your input--the other field I am considering is IM.

 

[Dusn]

Yes it is. It may not be good enough for the top programs but it should be good enough for mid-level or below programs. I was also considering IM. So my advice is to also apply to some good IM programs for prelim year and if you don't match (I think you should though) just ask if you can stay at the IM program that you match at as a categorical.

The other thing I've realized is that, for whatever reason, the training at ophtho programs is often not as good, in my opinion, as most IM program of the same level. I liked ophtho but also liked medicine and other fields. I think it would have been a mistake for me (and possibly for you) to rank some of the lower-ranked ophtho programs because the training would have been horrible had I matched there. Luckily I matched reasonably well but if I hadn't, I would have been better off matching into medicine.

 

[wispgirl]

Yes it is. It may not be good enough for the top programs but it should be good enough for mid-level or below programs. I was also considering IM. So my advice is to also apply to some good IM programs for prelim year and if you don't match (I think you should though) just ask if you can stay at the IM program that you match at as a categorical.

The other thing I've realized is that, for whatever reason, the training at ophtho programs is often not as good, in my opinion, as most IM program of the same level. I liked ophtho but also liked medicine and other fields. I think it would have been a mistake for me (and possibly for you) to rank some of the lower-ranked ophtho programs because the training would have been horrible had I matched there. Luckily I matched reasonably well but if I hadn't, I would have been better off matching into medicine.

Good deal. 🙂 I'm not gunning for a top program, but with the latest statistics (average step 1 = 239), I'm honestly concerned that I might not match at all. Is there any issue with applying for both IM and ophtho and then just ranking only the programs I would be willing to go to for ophtho? I'm thinking that's what I might do. Also, are away rotations generally a good idea, and if so, should I focus on mid-level programs I would have a decent shot at?

 

[rocketbooster]

Good deal. 🙂 I'm not gunning for a top program, but with the latest statistics (average step 1 = 239), I'm honestly concerned that I might not match at all. Is there any issue with applying for both IM and ophtho and then just ranking only the programs I would be willing to go to for ophtho? I'm thinking that's what I might do. Also, are away rotations generally a good idea, and if so, should I focus on mid-level programs I would have a decent shot at?

Just curious, where did you get the current 239? The 2013 match list has not be released yet and the latest info from SFmatch that I found is 2012 at 238 (http://www.sfmatch.org/residency/ophthalmology/about_match/match_report.pdf).

 

[runamok]

I def think it's a realistic option 🙂 You're not that far below the average Step 1, and half honors is pretty good.

You never have to tell programs that you're applying for a backup so it's not like they'll know if you also apply to IM, and they'll never see your rank list.

The first thing I suggest you do is find a mentor, an ophthalmologist (ideally in academics) you can go to for advice. I think an away at a mid-level program is a good idea. If you make good relationships with the faculty and residents (and especially if you get a great letter from a big wig) it can really help you out. I would also suggest you try really hard to H any core rotations you have left.

Good luck!

 

[wispgirl]

Just curious, where did you get the current 239? The 2013 match list has not be released yet and the latest info from SFmatch that I found is 2012 at 238 (http://www.sfmatch.org/residency/ophthalmology/about_match/match_report.pdf).

Sorry, just a typo. 🙂 Although with the current trend I am guessing it will be 239 this year.

 

[ophthope]

Sorry, just a typo. 🙂 Although with the current trend I am guessing it will be 239 this year.

Your 233 isn't a rule out. I've heard that some of the top programs have a cutoff of 230 so I doubt any mid-tier programs rule you out for a score of 233. Try to get some Ophtho-related "research" (case report, grand rounds, and if you can do some real "research" stuff that's great) just to show your commitment to the field if you can. There is time early in fourth year for that, but I'd try to get involved now so you aren't scrambling to do stuff early in MS4 (like I was!).

 

[DrZeke]

If you read the article that was published in 2012 regarding match stats a 224 isn't a rule out... I think you're competitive... SDN is overly competitive sometimes... 239 is an average and your score is WITHIN 1 SD of the average...

 

[wispgirl]

Glad to hear that I'm not disqualified for not having a 240+. Sometimes SDN scares me with these people who come on and ask things like "I only made a 250, do I have any chance of matching?"

I wish the SFMatch published the number of applicants who were FMGs versus US medical graduates. It's possible that the numbers might be inflated a little bit by FMGs with extremely high scores.

Question for you guys: when should I take Step 2? Is my Step 1 score decent enough that I don't need to redeem myself with a good Step 2 score?

 

[hurdlepup]

Glad to hear that I'm not disqualified for not having a 240+. Sometimes SDN scares me with these people who come on and ask things like "I only made a 250, do I have any chance of matching?"

I wish the SFMatch published the number of applicants who were FMGs versus US medical graduates. It's possible that the numbers might be inflated a little bit by FMGs with extremely high scores.

Question for you guys: when should I take Step 2? Is my Step 1 score decent enough that I don't need to redeem myself with a good Step 2 score?

Search for ophthalmology match on pubmed. You will find the statistics you are looking for.

 

[ophthope]

Search for ophthalmology match on pubmed. You will find the statistics you are looking for.

Seriously - nobody told me this until I heard from other applicants on the interview trail. Someone petitioned the SFMatch for data and published the broken down statistics for US grads.