Match Stats are out!

[LASIKguy]

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My 1st contribution to this great forum. I have been a silent reader throughout the process.

Check sfmatch.org, login with your password in program directory to see match results.

Results are close to last year's except higher unmatched Step 1
(218 from 208 last year), more IMGS matching (31% from 26% last year). Applicantions are slightly down (887 from 922).

I wish I could copy the stat but they ae in PDF file. Here is summary:

Rank Lists submitted: 639
Matched: 438
US Seniors: 369
US Grads: 34
IMG: 35
UNMATCHED Applicants: 201
Matched USMLE: 228
UNMATCHED USMLE: 218
Spots offered: 442
Spots filled: 438
Unfilled: 4 - they didn't advertise any openings, anyone knows how these 4 spots got filled?
Overall Match Rate: 69%
US Seniors: 82%
US Grads: 43%
IMGS: 31%

NOW A TRICK question!
How can STUDs (i saw their numbers etc.) like GeddyLee and BeefyRedeye cant match? I think they only applied to higher end programs!
Both of you are awesome! You will match for sure next year if you apply.

I matched with an avg program with 225 - 230 just by going to 3 interviews!😎

I think this forum is filled with STUDS so people like me get discouraged or people who get interviews from AVG programs don't go b/c everyone else is going to Bascom and thats why some people went unmatched.

Thanks to Dr. DOAN for his time and help during this whole process! I can't beleive a smart guy like him plans to do Neuro-ophtho ! Anyone can order all the tests known to man! j/k!

 

[jackflash]

What is the link?

 

[Andrew_Doan]

Can someone post the average number of offers and average number of interviews per applicant? Thanks for posting the stats! 🙂

BTW, LASIKguy, welcome to the forum!

 

[GeddyLee]

Well now I'm just pissed. I figured it was a super competetive year or something.

I guess I shouldn't have worn the pot-leaf tie pin. dang.

Ged

 

[Visionary]

Originally posted by Andrew_Doan
Can someone post the average number of offers and average number of interviews per applicant?

Not much change, actually. Very surprising! [Last year's are in parentheses.]

Avg Apps: 41 (38)
Avg Interviews: 7.9 (7.7)
Avg Offers: 4 (3.9)

As for the Avg Board Scores, with the Unmatched Avg up and the Matched Avg unchanged, I imagine the overall avg did move up. Would be interesting to know that stat. Hmm...with a little math-a-cadabra:

Avg Boards (Matched & Unmatched): 224.8 (221.3)

Not much change there either. Geez. I'm pissed for you too, Geddy. Doesn't seem fair. 😡

BTW, anyone have an answer for LASIKguy's question: which programs have those 4 open spots?

 

[GeddyLee]

Those 4 spots must have been filled without posting it. There are no vacancies on the sfmatch web site today.

I was surprised how many IMG's matched, actually highest percentage in 12 years with the exception of one year. I didn't meet a single IMG on the trail, so I wonder where they went?

Oh well, it's all good. God only knows what goes on in those conference rooms where they make up the all-mighty rank list.

Geddy

 

[LASIKguy]

I don't think any program wants to advertise that they went unfilled, they probably called people secretly and gave them the spots. May be they had some people in mind and wanted to get them out of the match.

Geddy, I think you didn't see any IMGs because you went to like higher tier programs. Let me tell you, there are a lot of good programs out there that go unnoticed and IMGs take advantage of that (my guess). In the end, everyone gets certification!

BTW contacts matter a lot. Lot of IMGs do fellowships/research at a program and they mix in and get the spot!

I wish I knew all this match fuss before I applied b/c getting interview from a top program doesn't mean anything unless you are kick ass in everything. Also, there is no harm going to all the lower tier interviews!(future advice for applicants)

 

[chef]

1 out of every 3 optho spots are given to IMGS??? wow................

unless u meant 31% of applicants matched... then what's the total # applied?

 

[ruptured globe]

Total of 35 IMGs matched, roughly 1/3 matched somewhere based on 31% match rate, so a little over 100 IMG applicants roughly.

 

[bigfrank]

Hi, in terms of the "US Seniors" that matched, whom does that really entail? Does this include only US-MD seniors or does it include osteopathic seniors as well?

If anyone has any thoughts on this, I'd greatly appreciate it.

 

[GeddyLee]

bigfrank,
I spoke to the folks at SFMatch. US seniors entails everyone that is a senior in medical school. US grads includes both re-applicants and people that are switching fields, etc.

 

[jackflash]

Originally posted by GeddyLee
bigfrank,
I spoke to the folks at SFMatch. US seniors entails everyone that is a senior in medical school. US grads includes both re-applicants and people that are switching fields, etc.

Geddy, what did you decide to do for this year?

 

[GeddyLee]

jackflash,
I'm going to finish out my year strong. Instead of taking cushy rotations I'm doing a Medicine AI and a Surgery AI. I'll work my tail off and honor them both. I'm going to continue my OPH research work and do a preliminary medicine year. I'll reapply for the next round, and maybe have a backup plan to do something like anesthesia if I don't match again.

I really love OPH, regardless of lifestyle, pay or whatever. It's definitely worth a second shot, but I don't feel like I can waste another year in the even of a second rejection. So, one more shot it is what I can realistically do.

If I'm not wanted in the ophthalmology community, hey, what can I say? I think I've shown definitive committment to the field and the intellectual capacity to succeed. I'm personable, my interviews went well and I've gotten comments that the selection committee really liked me. Those of you who met me know I'm a friendly, fun, normal dude.

I'm perplexed at what more I could do to gain acceptance. So I guess it's a case of ophthalmology or bust. I just can't see myself being pleased with any other career in medicine, but life must eventually go on.

Ged

 

[LASIKguy]

Geddy:

Try to apply to a broad range of programs, bottom tier to top tier. I saw your interview list, most programs were higher tier, you probably made their cut off for interview but not the numbers to be ranked high.

While the bottom tier programs you interviewed probably thought you were not going to come because you were too good for them.

Thats the problem faced by a lot of excellent students who are way above average but not #1 in their class.

Go to around 20 interviews and rank all the programs.

I think you will definitly match next year! Its a surprise you didnt match this year....you are a cool guy! Its always refreshing to see someone wanting to do ophtho who likes it vs doing it for lifestyle mostly. I know someone who matched at MEEI this year who went to ophtho just because its a great lifestyle!

I say do an away at IOWA, Dr. Doan will hook you up with
Dr. Carter plus Iowa seems to take residents for overall applications vs just board scores of 255+!

 

[Andrew_Doan]

Originally posted by LASIKguy
Geddy:
I say do an away at IOWA, Dr. Doan will hook you up with
Dr. Carter plus Iowa seems to take residents for overall applications vs just board scores of 255+!

Come to Iowa and visit. 😀