Northeast ophtho programs

[Svmophtho]

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Hi everyone!

I had posted about applying to ophtho residency a few months ago when I was new to SDN. I go to a middle-tear, fairly prominent medical school in the Northeast. I'll be applying to the 2013 ophtho match this coming year, and I wanted to ask more specifically about residency programs in the Northeast (NY, NJ, PA, MA) and if there are programs out there that I will get looks/interviews from with my credentials:

- Step 1: 232/99
- 3rd year grades: Honored peds, psych, ophtho elective; HP'd ob-gyn, internal medicine, family med; only Passed surgery (I think the Pass in surgery this is a major drawback in my application, and I feel like it will cause programs to not interview me in the first place... Am I wrong?)
- I have 1 ARVO abstract, and I am on a research year (between 3rd and 4th year( under a clinical research fellowship, so we are writing up another abstract/paper as well. I also have a case report in the works. I've been active in terms of ophtho related extracurriculars and close to my ophthalmology department at school, some of who I did research with.

My main question is what kind of looks I will get from programs in the Northeast (esp. NY, NJ, Philly, MA). I'm confused as to if I'm completely off target thinking I will at least get interviews at programs in the Northeast, which I've heard are very competitive. Or if I'm in the ballpark for interviews, etc.

Thank you for your responses in advance! I appreciate your taking time out to read this!

 

[DrZeke]

BUMP

Also really interested to hear about this...

 

[Dusn]

I think you'd get interviews and would be a decent candidate.

 

[Visionary]

I'd say you have a good shot at interviewing with most middle tier programs and may get some top tier looks because of the research year, even with your Step 1 score (which isn't bad, mind you). Just make sure you deliver on the research year. You need to have some pubs to show for it. Also, understand that there is some regional bias. Don't know where you're from, but I've heard of tremendous applicants from SE, Midwest who didn't get looks from NY (or Cali) programs.

 

[MPMD]

I'd say you have a good shot at interviewing with most middle tier programs and may get some top tier looks because of the research year, even with your Step 1 score (which isn't bad, mind you). Just make sure you deliver on the research year. You need to have some pubs to show for it. Also, understand that there is some regional bias. Don't know where you're from, but I've heard of tremendous applicants from SE, Midwest who didn't get looks from NY (or Cali) programs.

Concerning the regional bias, is the location of your medical school the only factor? I go to a western med school but grew up and did my undergrad in New England. Will my roots there give me a better shot at some interviews with NE programs?

Thanks for any advice.

 

[Visionary]

Concerning the regional bias, is the location of your medical school the only factor? I go to a western med school but grew up and did my undergrad in New England. Will my roots there give me a better shot at some interviews with NE programs?

Thanks for any advice.

Ties to the area do seem to help, from what I've heard. I think the idea is that most potential residents aren't honestly looking to go across the country for training, and the programs know this. The competition drives the shotgun spread of applications (what's the average nowadays: 50 applications? 60?). A program only has so many interview slots, and they want to fill those with applicants they feel are truly interested in their program. Of course, that likely does not hold for the top tier programs, as there are so few of them and people routinely apply with sincere interest from around the country.

 

[Slide]

I'd say you have a good shot at interviewing with most middle tier programs and may get some top tier looks because of the research year, even with your Step 1 score (which isn't bad, mind you). Just make sure you deliver on the research year. You need to have some pubs to show for it. Also, understand that there is some regional bias. Don't know where you're from, but I've heard of tremendous applicants from SE, Midwest who didn't get looks from NY (or Cali) programs.

Yeah I can confirm this. Regional bias seems to be widespread unless you to go a medical school with a great ophtho program. Program directors will also sometimes admit there is a regional bias when it comes to selecting applicants due to so many applying for so few spots (you won't get them to speak on the record, however).