Make the switch to ophtho

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Hi,

Is it possible to switch into Optho after starting another residency?
I am currently in a pathology residencey and now I am wondering if I made the right choice ( I still like path but I also like pt contact in ophtho) and was thinking about applying for ophtho this year. I understand I would have to do an intern year which is fine. My quick stats are: US med school graduate, AOA, step 1 >250, step 2 >260, Optho Away- honors, and I have 2 ophtho Letters already. Is this a feasible option for me, or is it not worth the money to apply since I am not a US senior anymore.

Thanks

 

[orbitsurgMD]

Hi,

Is it possible to switch into Optho after starting another residency?
I am currently in a pathology residencey and now I am wondering if I made the right choice ( I still like path but I also like pt contact in optho) and was thinking about applying for optho this year. I understand I would have to do an intern year which is fine. My quick stats are: US med school graduate, AOA, step 1 >250, step 2 >260, Optho Away- honors, and I have 2 optho Letters already. Is this a feasible option for me, or is it not worth the money to apply since I am not a US senior anymore.

Thanks

Your biggest obstacle won't be boards or grades. You will have to explain the indecision, given you had ophtho rotations as a med student and for whatever reasons, you chose another field. PDs would wonder how committed you were, so you will have to impress on them why you think ophthalmology is a better fit for you than pathology is or anything else.

You don't have to be a U.S. senior to apply; lots of people apply from other residencies and from the military and research activities, but you may have to do an internship if you did not do one before starting your path residency.

 

[speyeder]

Your stats would make you competitive for ophtho if you choose to apply. Not being a U.S. senior isn't that big of a deal. The major obstacles in your case are how your pathology residency program will react to your decision to leave, i.e. are they supportive or not (you will probably need a letter of good standing from your chairman or program director) and how effective you are at communicating your decision to change career paths both in your personal statement and during your interviews.

 

[Alcon]

You could also consider finishing path then going for an ophtho residency... certain ocular pathologists can have a fair bit of patient contact.

 

[footbasket]

Your stats would make you competitive for ophtho if you choose to apply. Not being a U.S. senior isn't that big of a deal. The major obstacles in your case are how your pathology residency program will react to your decision to leave, i.e. are they supportive or not (you will probably need a letter of good standing from your chairman or program director) and how effective you are at communicating your decision to change career paths both in your personal statement and during your interviews.

I agree that talking to my PD will be the hardest part if I went through with it. Could I apply first through SFmatch and see if I get interviews and then tell them I am trying to go for ophtho (so if I dont get interviews I can leave it at that and pretend I was not doing this) or do I have to send a letter of good standing from my PD with my intial CAS application?

 

[Visionary]

I agree that talking to my PD will be the hardest part if I went through with it. Could I apply first through SFmatch and see if I get interviews and then tell them I am trying to go for ophtho (so if I dont get interviews I can leave it at that and pretend I was not doing this) or do I have to send a letter of good standing from my PD with my intial CAS application?

I would definitely be open about it. You'll get interviews with an app like yours, no doubt. Keeping your PD in the dark can only have negative consequences.

I also like the possibility of first completing your pathology residency. I don't know how far in you are, but ocular pathologists are very hard to come by nowadays. You could secure a job at an academic center fairly easily. You would be able to stay involved in pathology part time, which you seem to like, then have the clinical exposure of ophthalmology. The trick would be striking a good balance.

 

[speyeder]

I agree that talking to my PD will be the hardest part if I went through with it. Could I apply first through SFmatch and see if I get interviews and then tell them I am trying to go for ophtho (so if I dont get interviews I can leave it at that and pretend I was not doing this) or do I have to send a letter of good standing from my PD with my intial CAS application?

I think you need to have this letter from your program as part of your CAS application. Because you would be leaving another residency before completion, I think most ophtho programs would want to see that you have the blessings of your path program before they consider interviewing you. Not being upfront about everything can only burn bridges for you.