Ophtho Competitiveness for upcoming match (MS3, rising MS4)

[bigballer2323]

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Hi all,

Just wanted to get some different opinions here on my upcoming application for ophtho, I am finishing my third year soon and have some concern about both my competitiveness and strategy for applying this cycle.

Background:
- T40 USMD
- Location: Midwest
- All passes in first 2 years
- Step 1: P
- Led 2 student organizations
- Clinical year (source of some problems/uneasiness): Likely 2 honors and 5 HP's
- Class rank: School lists top 5%, next 10%, and next 60-70% of class (and then technically the bottom portion but really limits who gets put there). I will be in that 60-70% bucket, probably would have been low 2nd or top of 3rd quartile if they had that but they don't specify where you are in within your bracket.
- Great evaluation comments and MSPE remarks, no red flags, no issues. Most non-honors came from certain preceptors not responding to an eval, random 3/4 or 4/5 scores after great time together, etc. and a lot of borderline but not quite honors finishes.
- Excellent shelf scores, will have 6-7 weeks of step 2 dedicated, hoping and projecting 260-265 range score on S2, but of course this is just speculative.
- Just got nominated for GHHS somehow, but of course with my grades will not be AOA.
- Research: Will have 8-10 presentations/abstracts, 8-10 full manuscripts. The manuscripts are mostly second author or beyond, but 2 will be first and in addition may have 1 letter to the editor, 1 case report soon both of which will be 1st author.
- Letters: 1 from long time faculty at my school, 1 from a newer faculty member who knows me well and can speak highly, 1 either from my IM rotation or maybe from an away?

How does my application stand in your eyes? My home PD, mentors, etc. have given general feedback but I really want to get a sense for how my grades will or will not hold me back. I'm not out here failing or doing terrible but man, just gotten screwed by not knowing which sites to go to, people not filling evals or filling late with not the best scores, etc. and it has landed me in a spot where I have 2/7 honors, and even if I have research, step 2 high score, good letters, EC's... how much does it matter? Is it just a situation where top programs might not look favorably and I am still competitive for mid-tiers (some mentors seem to think this) or is it an overall app killer?

Have never thought about dual applying or anything else, but with so many of my rotations going wrong at the last second or just feeling unlucky, wanted some realistic advice. Sorry for the blurb but thanks any insight would be appreciated!

 

[eyeeye_captain]

If you hit your Step 2 goal, and if the letters are good, you’ve got a reasonable application. Given the lack of objective measures these days, the grades hurt some, but I think/hope admissions committees have lowered their importance since so many schools are essentially covering up for students who would have had similar grades if they weren’t just pass/fail.

The Midwest is pretty big. I’ll assume with that ranking that your home program is probably somewhere around the middle tier. There are enough middle tier spots in that region for you to probably have at least an average chance (hypothetically). You can ask your mentors for decent targets and could consider aways.

It won’t be a slam dunk. The stats for this year still aren’t out, but it’s no secret that things are getting tougher in an already competitive field.

 

[bigballer2323]

If you hit your Step 2 goal, and if the letters are good, you’ve got a reasonable application. Given the lack of objective measures these days, the grades hurt some, but I think/hope admissions committees have lowered their importance since so many schools are essentially covering up for students who would have had similar grades if they weren’t just pass/fail.

The Midwest is pretty big. I’ll assume with that ranking that your home program is probably somewhere around the middle tier. There are enough middle tier spots in that region for you to probably have at least an average chance (hypothetically). You can ask your mentors for decent targets and could consider aways.

It won’t be a slam dunk. The stats for this year still aren’t out, but it’s no secret that things are getting tougher in an already competitive field.

That makes sense, have begun applying for aways so hoping to do 2-3. I know it's definitely no slam dunk, but do you think I'm more in the range of not guaranteed but good candidate or more in the be careful, dual apply range? Just asking since a dual application would mean doing some schedule adjusting and planning like, yesterday haha

 

[eyeeye_captain]

That makes sense, have begun applying for aways so hoping to do 2-3. I know it's definitely no slam dunk, but do you think I'm more in the range of not guaranteed but good candidate or more in the be careful, dual apply range? Just asking since a dual application would mean doing some schedule adjusting and planning like, yesterday haha

I’d lean toward good, but I’m also somewhat out of the game. I wouldn’t bet on Iowa or Michigan, but I could rattle off at least half a dozen programs in the area where I suspect the potential application would play.

There are a couple of PGY-1s on here, I think one dual applied and the other didn’t, maybe they’ll weigh in.

 

[medschoolaspirant]

I am PGY1 here ophthalmology. I had Dual applied during my time. With 1 P. 1 HP. Rest honors. Step 2 258. Mid tier USMD. I think you have reasonable chance. So much will depend on your step 2. If over 260, it will help.i was 2nd quartile. So if you remain 2nd quartile, it’s better. aways are very important for connections. My advise to all is I had such a good peace of mind with dual application, that it takes stress away in hugely stressful time. That was my best decision. 1 out of 4 USMD applicant don’t match Ophtho. Which is huge. Majority of them are below 250 step 2. 3rd or 4th quartile applicants. If you are good with those 2, you may be good. Good Luck.

 

[thedoctahfr]

I am PGY1 here ophthalmology. I had Dual applied during my time. With 1 P. 1 HP. Rest honors. Step 2 258. Mid tier USMD. I think you have reasonable chance. So much will depend on your step 2. If over 260, it will help.i was 2nd quartile. So if you remain 2nd quartile, it’s better. aways are very important for connections. My advise to all is I had such a good peace of mind with dual application, that it takes stress away in hugely stressful time. That was my best decision. 1 out of 4 USMD applicant don’t match Ophtho. Which is huge. Majority of them are below 250 step 2. 3rd or 4th quartile applicants. If you are good with those 2, you may be good. Good Luck.

What do you mean by quartiles?

 

[medschoolaspirant]

Our school put on mspe which quartile of class you are in. 1-2–3-4. 1st quartile in first 25%. Second if in first half. 3 rd in 75%. 4 th is bottom quartile of class.