More applicants this year?

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So it seems like a lot of people that I have talked to from other schools have said that they have an unusually high amount of people going into ophtho from their class this year compared to years previous. This also seems to be the case with my school. Are you guys seeing the same thing, or is this not a widespread trend?

 

[shemarty]

UCSF has about 9 this year and there are usually about 4. I've also heard some other schools have more applicants than usual this year (stanford? columbia? ucla?), but I can't speak to whether or not its a nation-wide trend...

 

[fatpigeon2010]

I've seen it at my school compared to last year, although same number as 2 or 3 years ago. At a recent interview other applicants were saying there were more at their schools as well this year. It was getting me worried but I guess as long as you are interviewing it shouldn't be a huge deal since programs are still going to interview around the same amount so your chances are just as good as previous years.

 

[Ophtho2014]

Same at my school. Normally have 4-5 students apply per year, this year it's 15 😱

 

[rocketbooster]

My school usually has 2-5. 2 this year.

 

[squishme]

there are 9 at my school (4 last year)

 

[Corn Dog]

I think people say that every year. In fact, there was a thread similar to this one just a few years ago (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=679020), but the total # of applicants applying into ophtho wasn't significantly higher that year, and I don't think the total # of applicants will be all that different this year.

However, I do get concerned when I hear that there are a lot of people applying from programs that I'm really interested in. For example, if there are 9 people applying from a top program that only has 5 spots, how many spots would realistically be available for an outsider? I would say 1 or 2, which would make the odds of matching at that program extremely low.

 

[Dusn]

Well, there goes the idea that cutting reimbursements for specialists will encourage med students to do primary care.

 

[RestoreSight]

It seems like every year there is talk of a massive spike in the number of applicants. Maybe this year will be different? Either way, the number of slots is pretty much fixed. Good luck everyone.