[NEED ADVICE PLEASE] Possibility of matching into Ophthalmology with a 236 on step 1

[cloudophthy]

Hi everyone,
I am an M3 (just started my first clinical rotation last week) and I have been interested in ophthalmology since before medical school. I recently received my step1 score and was pretty devastated to see that I got a 236. I am now trying to decide if I need to give up on ophthalmology. What do you think my chances are of matching into ophtho with a 236 on step1? And if there is any chance, what should I be focusing on/what do I realistically need to accomplish in order to successfully match? I will be very grateful for any help!!

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[Espadaleader]

Depends on everything else in your package. If you have research and are from a top 20 school and you do well clinically and do well on Step 2 CK it won’t matter even for a top 5 program.

 

[Bonejorno]

Focus on getting a high step 2ck. Do as many aways as you effectively can and absolutely destroy them. Start collecting strong letter of recs. Research research research. <— this is how you make strong connections without actually being gifted connections

 

[nimbus]

In 2018 the mean step 1 score for matched applicants was 245 and the 25th percentile was 239 so it may be tough going if you don’t have other outstanding parts of your application. In 2010 the scores were much lower but they’ve been steadily rising.

https://www.sfmatch.org/PDFFilesDisplay/Ophthalmology_Residency_Stats_2018.pdf

 

[deleted480308]

Low chances, sorry

 

[ball123]

You’ll be fine. You’ll match somewhere if you can get some research and pubs = get strong LORs from ophthalmology faculty and extra bonus if they are well known >> do well third year, do well step 2CK

Pubs and strong letters from ophthalmologists especially well known ones will help you match for sure! Your step 1 is within decent range. Ophthalmology is very competitive, as we all know, but you’ll be fine. Sure it may not be at Iowa, MEEI, Wills, etc. but you’ll match somewhere, I’m positive.

PM if you ever have any questions.