Options to consider, if you don't match?

[SightsOnOphtho]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I was wondering if anyone had advice on backup options for students who do not match this coming January?

a pre-residency fellowship or research? ... since matching the second time around is very challenging, what is the recommended approach?

What have others done in the past? -- scramble to apply for other fields?

Any advice/feedback would be appreciated!!

 

[EyeGuy15]

Does anyone know whats a "magic number" of interviews to have to feel mildly comfortable? Obviously there are the 15 interviews and no match people and the 1 interview and match people, but for the average person, what are we looking at?

 

[cottonwool]

I found this today, and thought it was very helpful. It's a post-match survey over 3 years of ophthalmology candidates from UCSF. Granted, I didn't go to UCSF, and the sample size is itty-bitty, but it's better than anything else I've found.

Of the 8 applicants that applied between 2007-2009, the most interviews attended were 14 (but most went to 11 or 12). Of those that matched, 4/8 matched at their #1 choice, 1 at their #2 choice, 1 at their #3 choice, 1 at their #4 choice, and then 1 at their #10 choice.

http://medschool.ucsf.edu/professio...009/Post Match Survey_ Ophthal_ co2007-09.pdf

 

[JMK2005]

Does anyone know whats a "magic number" of interviews to have to feel mildly comfortable? Obviously there are the 15 interviews and no match people and the 1 interview and match people, but for the average person, what are we looking at?

8-10 interviews.

 

[hncl]

I have removed my post it has more to do with IMG applicants like myself.

 

[MR1]

First I think you have to address why you didn't match.

If you got ~10 interviews and did not match then that is one thing compared to if you only got 0-2 interviews. I think I would start by sitting down with the PD at your ophtho program (after match day) and seeing what they say was lacking in your app. If you failed to match after a good number of interviews they could maybe even call some of the programs and see what was the deal.

I think doing a PGY 1 year is not a good idea if you really want ophtho, esp if you didn't match due to a low number of interviews. Doing PGY 1 is NOT going to make you look better next year. I would look into a good place to do research or do a pre-res fellowship.

If your backplan is another field though, I would pursue that.

 

[hncl]

Thanks MR1

 

[Alcon]

The cycle is not yet over, of course, but I am fairly sure that I will not receive any interviews. I took a couple years off for ophtho research after med school, and although I have enjoyed the experience, I see this application (my first) as my only one. It seems that programs are just not interested in what I can offer, and I am afraid taking another year off from clinical training will start to hinder my chances at a decent internship. Not to mention having to go through the match again as a reapplicant...

On several occasions during med school IM/Cards took over as my #1 specialty choice, so at this point I am starting to solidify my plans in that direction.

 

[snowbank]

Good point Alcon. There are obviously many folks in ophthalmology now, who have done a complete internal medi or even family med residency first, and then switched. Actually scratch that - I shouldnt say many, but there are some like that. Granted it may be harder to match then as PDs will think what the hell this guy doesnt know what he wants to do?

Same here. I've also done some years of ophtho research, but am an IMG, so maybe that hinders my chances. I have applied to categoricals also. Another option (if you've done an internship only though) is MPH/preventive medicine residency.

Agree with MR that simply a PGY1 may not help.
There are other threads on research fellowship and options after not matching, suggest OP looks into those. You've got to figure out for yourself whether you're committed to ophtho that much or not to spend several years and keep trying again. For me personally, I've been thru 2 match cycles (this current one included) and spent 3 years of research. I feel I've committed enough time and if it wasnt meant to happen it wasnt. God has strange ways of working. The sources I know of are ARVO jobs and of course SF match vacancy postings. I'm sure there are other sources for fellowships too, but I dont know of them. Some have done ocular path fellowships, and I posted another thread earlier about where and with who. Seems most arent interested now in pre-res. candidates with the economy and all, but were in the past.

HNCL - there are several other IMGs on this forum. Would you please re-post what you had? Or PM me with it please?

 

[hncl]

Hi Snowbank - I deleted the post because I thought it was more appropriate for another forum (IMG) and did not want to clog this forum up.

 

[Alcon]

On that note, Snowbank or anyone else - what do you think of me asking programs where I have a prelim iv at if they would consider me for categorical now? Bad idea or go for it?

I'm also wondering about this issue. It is definitely possible to land a PGY-2 position at the end of a prelim year (at the same institution or another), but I would think most programs want to see the intern's performance before promising a spot. With that said, some applicants who fail to match in ophtho may look attractive as a categorical to some IM programs.

I would hate to bring up that question at a prelim interview and get sent to the bottom of the rank list though...

 

[hncl]

As to your last sentence Alcon - that is exactly what I am worried about.

 

[Alcon]

As to your last sentence Alcon - that is exactly what I am worried about.

1. Do I contact my prelim iv's and ask now if they will consider me for Cat?
2. Do I wait until after prelim iv's and ask if they will consider me for Cat?
3. If I match, during prelim year, when exactly should I mention that I need/want cat?

Tough situation, any thoughts?

Hopefully others can chime in, but I would go for # 1 or 3. Being that I tailored my application for ophtho this year, I will likely choose #3. For a categorical position, my credentials are good enough but my LORs and PS are all about internship.

For option #3, good performance early on during internship will be key for securing a PGY2 position.

Perhaps you can cautiously call a few programs now (option #1) and see how they respond?

 

[hncl]

Hi Alcon

 

[Alcon]

Hi Alcon - I am very nervous about option #1, I do not want to anger anyone or confuse them! I have been trying to find some advice on here, but most applies to people who accepted prelim and are trying to get into PGY-2 year. Nothing on someone wanting categorical before interviewing for prelim.

I am worried that programs will think I am not serious etc fickle.

Yup, calling programs could backfire, although the reward could (maybe, potentially) be a categorical spot.

Option #3 is the safest I think, but unfortunately it will leave you with some uncertainty regarding whether or not you can stay at the same program for PGY2 and 3. I imagine you can start approaching the program director within a couple months of starting internship, and say "look, I am a great intern, I would like to stay on." Or something like that. You probably won't be the only intern trying to secure that PGY2.

 

[OcchiBelli]

I will give my advice as I was the applicant that didn't match last year. I don't know what my outcome will be this year so take this as seriously as you want... (I am a U.S. grad btw)

As we all know, Ophthalmology is a very competitive field. It is getting more and more competitive every year. The Step scores are increasing and more applicants are coming in with PhD or research experience.
After not matching in Ophthalmology last year, my advisers were very shocked. I was a qualified applicant, did well on the interviews, my board scores were probably the weakest part of my application. Unfortunately, the board scores determine the number of interview offers you get. With all this said, I went to 6 interviews (with 1 being my home program - courtesy interview, and another at a place I did my away rotation). As I later came to find out, I missed my chance by only 2 spots during the match, at a program I ranked very highly. Things happen, and not matching is very realistic. So EVERYONE should have a back up plan.

I am fully committed to Ophthalmology so other specialties were not an option. It was really hard deciding what to do as well. Everyone I asked had a different opinion. I asked people about other applicants who didn't match and matched the following year. I even contacted the programs I interviewed at for advice. One thing is clear, I am set on ophtho and I didn't want to apply again with the same exact CV. Thus, going ahead with the intern year was out. I was debating about this for a long time but speaking with some of the program directors, their recommendation was a year of research or a pre-residency fellowship. However, this experience should be at a large, "well-known" institution. Preferably places like Wills, Wilmer, Bascom, MEEI, Duke, etc. Make connections b/c you will need great advocates and recommendations from people in the following year.

I did research... I think it was a great choice. Not only did I meet lots of wonderful experts in the field and got great letters/advocates, I also learned a lot and gained skills that programs look for in their applicants. Also, doing a research/fellowship year will give you the time you need for applications and interviews. It's really hard to travel and take off days when you are doing your internship.

Also, I recommend doing an away rotation at one of the places you interviewed at and that was receptive to you after the match. Perhaps a program that ranked you highly.

I hope this helps. Good luck everyone!
I certainly wish that everyone matches!!!

If you have other questions, feel free to PM me.🙂

 

[Alcon]

Thanks OcchiBelli for the advice - best of luck this time around!

I don't know how this has not occurred to me before, but can you do away rotations after graduating (I'm also a US grad, now in research)? It would be awkward, but if it helps, it helps.

 

[OcchiBelli]

Thanks OcchiBelli for the advice - best of luck this time around!

I don't know how this has not occurred to me before, but can you do away rotations after graduating (I'm also a US grad, now in research)? It would be awkward, but if it helps, it helps.

Yes you can do rotations after graduating. I think it's a little bit harder to get them, but if you contact the program director and express your interest, it should help. Hopefully your research director will be understanding enough to let you leave for a 1 month rotation.

 

[hncl]

Thanks all.

 

[snowbank]

Good posts about options 1-3 and interesting points. Here is what I have to offer from personal experience - but as you may have figured out already, there;'s no straight answer for which option is best.

I cant say about 1-3 directly as I wasnt in that situation. I chose to do a prelim year. I had already done some research years. A categorical decided to transfer to another program b/f of boyfriend/fiancee/now hubby moving, so 1 spot was open. Wasn't advertised (most aren't as they're filled 'internally' - at least that's what I hear!). One of the prelims applied again during internship (September, did not match come March). Went to the PD saying I know xyz is leaving - and I didnt match advanced - would you consider taking me for PGY2? Answer was yes - spot filled!

That's always a chance though, rare as it may be. Even rarer though is doing a prelim with the hope that a PGY 2 ophtho will open up (but does happen though). I heard there were several openings this year posted on SF Match.

Also keep in mind that there are many other prelims in programs who do not have an advanced position. I was speaking with a friend in this situation, and he mentioned that in March-April he started sending out cold-emails (and even some cold-calls) to programs asking if they had an opening. Apparently many people every year across the US do this. And there are openings, whether they're advertised on residentswap.org or findaresident.org is a different story altogether. Most do end up with something.

I guess my point is if you dont know which option 1-3 is best after speaking with people, and you dont want to risk anything, you can try the above....good luck folks!