MS3 in need of advice

[third eye]

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hello there.

thank you for taking the time to read this.

I have always been interested in the eyes and vision and I am REALLY drawn to global health issues so ophtho has been my top choice for some time now.

Before medical school, i did some optometry research which really sparked my interest.

Between MS1 and MS2, I went to India to work with some ophthalmologists in telemedicine centers to screen the rural poor and bring certain types of patients back to the city for treatment.

While in India, I worked with a few researchers and continued to work with them through MS2. This work resulted in a few second/third author publications and an ARVO poster presentation.

I studied hard during MS1&2 but was never a superstar. I ended up scoring in the low 220s on Step I and was pretty discouraged, maybe more depressed, after receiving the score. I know it's not rational, but I was scoring well above that on practice exams so it was a shock. But the bigger issue was that I had banked on rocking Step I because I go to a no name school that matches so few people in to ophtho. Now I am not sure what I should/can do.

Now, as an MS3 I have been in a funk because I am not sure what I want to go in to. This unsureness has definitely hurt me in terms of being motivated the way I was the first two years.

Honestly, I can sense the tone of this message is very... juveline? whiney? whatever you want to call it. i have been feeling pretty down on myself and I am ready to put the negativity to an end.

the questions of the hour: Do I have a decent shot at ophtho or would I be better off placing my focus elsewhere?

Any advice, comments or private messages are greatly appreciated.

Thank you again for taking the time to read this.

take care.

 

[Krony]

The match by its nature is unpredictable. The only definitive way to know if applicant X will match is if applicant X applies. Based on averages (remember....averages) one can make conjectures about the chances that applicant X will or will not match...but in your case my sense is that these kinds of conjectures may be irrelevant. Why? Because I sense from your tone that you really really want ophthalmology, and furthermore that you might fall within the category of people who would regret it for a long time if you don't try. In trying you have nothing to lose but maybe a few thousand dollars and some pride if it doesn't work out. And I imagine in most cases the doors to your second choice fields will not close by trying first for ophtho. The risk is small but the potential benefit is huge. If you are able to convey this deep interest in ophtho on your application and in interviews you will have a chance.

Four basic recommendations:
1. Take Step 2 as early as possible and try to improve on your Step 1 score
2. Consider arranging for more than one away rotation and work impressively hard, with the aim to spend time with the right people who will see your passion for ophtho
3. Try to connect with a mentor within your own program or affiliated with your institution who will be your advocate
4. Continue to be involved with research, but focus slightly more on #1-3 for the time being


Good luck

-Krony

 

[Wolverine98]

I completely agree with Krony, especially about the match being unpredictable. I've seen people with scores in the 240s not match, and I've seen people with scores in the 190s match.

Also, as mentioned, go out and nail step 2. Try to get it done and get your scores in before interviews start going out, or, at the very latest, so the programs would get the score before the rank lists are due.

Dave

 

[msueye]

I completely agree with everything above, but would also recommend that you really try to finish your third year as strong as possible, your clinical grades are going to be important as well. There are so many great Ophtho programs out there that if you are willing to apply broadly a low step 1 isn't the end of the world.

 

[dreyeman]

Well I would go for it if I were you. I was in a similar situation as you. I had a step 1 lower than you. My 3rd year wasn't that impressive. I did not take step 2 early cause I'm notoriously bad at standardized tests and worried about getting a similar score or worse. I thought that would hurt so I didn't take it. I guess the only thing that hurt me in not taking step 2 earlier was possibly getting more interviews had I scored better, but the flip side is getting no interviews if I had done worse. It's something you have to weigh out. In the end, I let my LOR's speak for me and that is was made all the difference in helping me match this year. So my advice is to schedule away rotations early at a top 5 programs and work with some top notch docs that can write you a great LOR.

 

[Krony]

So my advice is to schedule away rotations early at a top 5 programs and work with some top notch docs that can write you a great LOR.

Sounds like this approach worked for dreyeman. Another approach would be to schedule aways at non-top 5 programs - perhaps somewhere where if you sufficiently impressed them you would have a chance to match at that particular program.