ophthalmology matching question

[jamba1984]

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I am strongly considering applying for ophthalmology. So I am wondering whether it is realistic for me to have a chance and if so what are a name of a few programs which are more realistic?

- Step 1: 208
- Step 2: 241
- High pass in surgery and family, pass in rest
- research in ENT with one poster presentation, some minimal research in ophthalmology but just don't have time to get any more in this year.
- attend top 15 medical school (not that I think this would matter much)
- decent other extracurricular activities

 

[dropshotdragon]

I'm I think you have a solid chance given your high step 2 score and high pass in surgery. Do not be deterred by your step 1 score; people can match with your stats (try to be open minded about where you apply). Apply to 3 types of programs: prestigious, middleground,and safety.Reputation of med school does matter, especially if you have a solid eye department with a few big wigs. Try to get some letters from preceptors you worked close with in your department and make sure to put your research down. Your aim is to get as many interviews as possible. I wish you all the best this season (sounds like football season or something🙂

 

[deyer]

I mostly agree. I think you can match, the key will be minimizing obstacles. Make sure your app is in on time (early), have everything super clean and well organized. Apply very broadly. There is a magic number of interviews. Some people say its 8, others 12. But the fact is the more interviews you are offered and attend, the better chance you have to match. If you don't apply you can't interview, if you don't interview you can't match. Make sure you work as hard as you can to ensure all the other aspects of your app are all they can be (letters, personal statement) and do your best to accentuate the positives and downplay the negatives. I'm a believer in follow up letters, after the app to let them know you are interested enough to write a personal letter. Thank you knows are hotly debated. My stance is that they probably aren't going to help you that much. But some of these guys are old school and they expect them, and you never know who those guys are. The other plus is that it is one more chance for them to have your name on their minds.

 

[Corn Dog]

I do not intend to discourage you from applying by any means. I think you have to follow your passions and dreams, but at the same time, you have to be realistic. I'm not sure if I agree with the others here. In all honesty, I think your chances are pretty slim. Most programs mainly look at step 1. Improved step 2 score helps, but not sure how much, considering that you have a very low step 1 score with mostly passes in your 3rd year with no honors. It also doesn't help that you have a relatively weak research experience with minimal ophtho research. However, you can do some things to improve yoru chances. Get a really strong, personal letter from a big wig. Also, if you do an away rotation at a relatively less competitive ophtho program and knock their socks off. Easier said than done though.

That's my 2 cents. Please take it with a grain of salt. Good luck. 😉

 

[JMK2005]

Yes, you have a good chance. Apply broadly. For me, 241 makes up for the step 1.

 

[student0528]

sorry to jump in on this threat but just curious about my situation seeing what has been said so far. I have done research in other posts and the ophthalmology residency match report as of jan 2009, but am just curious to see what others think about my chances for 2011 with competition going up and seeing that some of the posts seem to be "out dated." I am a third year starting out and I am interested in ophthalmology among other fields and would like to hear how realistic of a chance I have. and in addition, to what sort of residency program should I be expecting to get in if any. (i would like to match somewhere in the chicago area preferably)

-usmle score of 234
-gpa 3.4..
-submitting a case study to be published in ANOTHER field however and possibly another case in that same field. But AM looking into and getting at doing some sort of ophtho research soon.
-I think I am top 50%, possibly 25% of my class
-med school ranking is on the bottom end
-doing really well in first general rotations so far and intend to continue trying to do well (but this is just the first ones.) no surgery or medicine yet.

thanks for all the help and direction.

 

[JMK2005]

-usmle score of 234 (I believe that's about average for matched applicants)
-gpa 3.4.. (didn't know med schools still had these)
-submitting a case study to be published in ANOTHER field however and possibly another case in that same field. But AM looking into and getting at doing some sort of ophtho research soon. (looks like you are on the right track)
-I think I am top 50%, possibly 25% of my class
-med school ranking is on the bottom end
-doing really well in first general rotations so far and intend to continue trying to do well (but this is just the first ones.) no surgery or medicine yet. (try to honor these)

Overall, your chances are good. Do well on your ophthalmology rotation. If your home school does not have a good opthalmology department, start thinking about where to do away rotations. Apply broadly. Get outstanding letters of recommendations.

 

[MedicalDoctorV]

I am strongly considering applying for ophthalmology. So I am wondering whether it is realistic for me to have a chance and if so what are a name of a few programs which are more realistic?

- Step 1: 208
- Step 2: 241
- High pass in surgery and family, pass in rest
- research in ENT with one poster presentation, some minimal research in ophthalmology but just don't have time to get any more in this year.
- attend top 15 medical school (not that I think this would matter much)
- decent other extracurricular activities

I went to a no-name medical school where 10 people out of 100 were going into ophtho my year (2008) and we all matched. Two people went to Georgetown with step 1 scores of 210-220 and without taking any additional time off for research (had ARVO posters during 4th year). One person went to New York Eye and Ear with a step 1 score of 250+, a personality, a dual degree of some sort with i believe - absolutely no research in ophtho. Two of us had Step 1 scores in the 220s, but a year of ophtho research at the NIH and ended up in middle tier programs.

Bottom line is, that there are no cutoffs for step 1 scores, and no magic formula that is going to guarantee you a match. I know that doesn't help you much, but you have to be in the race to have a chance to win. I say go for it.