my chance? please help.

[Confusedms]

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I am getting so stressed out about choosing the specialty for the residency. Here is my thing:
Third year medical student, Step 1 230, class rank 35%, Master degree, many years research in medical field. 10 2nd or third authored publications, around 10 1st, 2nd and 3rd authored presentations. several research awards and academic award. What is my chance to get into this competitive field? I also heard from my friends that it is kind of hard to find a job in a city and the salary is kind of low, starting at $150K? Too many questions. I guess I am really confused. Thanks!!!!

 

[MAYOphtho]

I am getting so stressed out about choosing the specialty for the residency. Here is my thing:
Third year medical student, Step 1 230, class rank 35%, Master degree, many years research in medical field. 10 2nd or third authored publications, around 10 1st, 2nd and 3rd authored presentations. several research awards and academic award. What is my chance to get into this competitive field? I also heard from my friends that it is kind of hard to find a job in a city and the salary is kind of low, starting at $150K? Too many questions. I guess I am really confused. Thanks!!!!

before you post in Radiology, RadOnc, and Ophtho forums simultaneously (the same post)...ya might wanna change "this competitive field" into the specific field name 🙂

I think you're fine for Ophtho

 

[Wolverine98]

You'll probably want to take Step II early and make sure you do really well. I don't know what it will be for radiology, but the average Step I score for those who matched for ophtho was 235 this year, and it's been increasing for the last 10 years.

 

[Confusedms]

As the time for making this big decision approaches, I am kind of losing my mind. I did ask the same question on three different groups. I have zero experience in these fields. I won't have much chance to experience all these at all as I won't start these clerkships in my school till September. That is why I am bugging different groups with the same question. Definitely, thank you for your reply and being patience.

 

[Pinkertinkle]

How's the reputation of your school? You guys got a good ophtho department? That's important.

 

[Bubchik]

OP, you are choosing a specialty for the rest of your life. I would definitely try to experience what the specialty all about: you do not have to do a full rotation. Go talk to the faculty in the department and shadow someone in clinic for a couple of afternoons. You'll see that radiology is so different from ophtho. I do not think that starting sallary should make a big difference: it goes up after a few years and you can do a fellowship after residency as well.

However, you need to know what you are getting yourself into first.