Panicking about Ophtho Application

[ZymarOUQID]

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Hello all

First time on SD, so sorry if I seem newbie-ish. Everyone seems friendly here (unlike at my school, hehe) so I figure I can ask stuff even if it seems silly.

I turned in my CAS end of August, got confirmation from them that they distributed it. I applied to 90 programs, just to be safe. I got the BU rejection that everyone seems to have gotten, and was asked from certain places (UTSW, Arizona, etc) for extra info.

I know it's still Sept 20th, but worrying about getting interviews already (arent we all) cause it seems some people already have gotten em.

My quick stats:
--239 step 1
--3 papers in press, 1 published (medicine one), 3 papers of manuscript in preparation. research at two institutions.
--Will be presenting one abstract at AAO in Nov; another in ASCRS in April
--Got a letter from the residency program director at my school, another from the former head of the ophtho department
--not AOA =(.

My questions:
1. Am I panicking too early that I haven't received any interviews yet, as of Sept 20th? 🙁
2. What are my chances of matching period? Am I out of my league to apply against AOA'ers and MD/PhD types. I'm not talking about Bascom/Wilmer, but just someplace decent (ie, like not Puerto Rico or Alabama or something)... anyplace in the Midwest, esp Chicago/Michigan places.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Mye Eye]

hey man....first off..UAB is a very good program from what i hear...so...

secondly, your scores and stats sound just fine...plus the Chicago programs have plenty of spots

 

[ZymarOUQID]

^hehe, sorry, I meant as in location. I'm sure at the end of the day, you learn the same thing at each program. A lot of it is in the name. I meant to say for programs in decent LOCATIONS in the sense of being near cities and not out in the boonies.. lol, shoulda clarified.

 

[Pinkertinkle]

Are you american med graduate? If so, just hang on tight.

 

[4424]

sounds like you over did it a bit with the # of apps but just be patient. see the other threads about interviews. most will come in oct/nov.

 

[ZymarOUQID]

yes, I'm an M4 student at an allopathic US med school... would prefer not to say which one, but its not a fancy harvard type... it's a state school. my research and letters were done at this school too, which is pretty decent (not wilmer level though) for ophtho. that's another reason why i was worrying. was looking at the residency profiles at some programs and noticed most residents were from big-name med schools.

i'd really love to stay in the midwest, any of the 6 chicago programs, definitely would love to go to umich-ann arbor or iowa... think i have a solid shot at these?

 

[ZymarOUQID]

i think i went with 90 programs just to be safe. i had two friends last year with boards scores in the high 220s, research in progress, etc that each had like 8-9 interviews and still didn't match...

i figured the 2k investment was worth it, rather than sitting out a year, doing more research/volunteer work and trying to re-apply next year. youre right though, i think it was overkill, but i guess im one of those rather-safe-than-sorry types.

 

[Pinkertinkle]

i'd really love to stay in the midwest, any of the 6 chicago programs, definitely would love to go to umich-ann arbor or iowa... think i have a solid shot at these?

Hmm, what kind of publications are those. First authors, clinical, basic science, good journals?

 

[eyesrgn]

I would not worry about it. It is still early in the process. Unless you had a terrible letter of recommendation or a self killing personal essay, I think you will do fine.

 

[ZymarOUQID]

Hmm, what kind of publications are those. First authors, clinical, basic science, good journals?

All three were submitted to Cornea, was first author on two of them, second author on one. The medicine one (second author) was published by society of general internal medicine. working on another one aimed at Cornea which im first author (i think at the moment), not sure about the other two (one first, one second) we're working on at the moment.

i wish blue journal had picked up something =(

 

[DiveMD]

i think i went with 90 programs just to be safe. i had two friends last year with boards scores in the high 220s, research in progress, etc that each had like 8-9 interviews and still didn't match...

i figured the 2k investment was worth it, rather than sitting out a year, doing more research/volunteer work and trying to re-apply next year. youre right though, i think it was overkill, but i guess im one of those rather-safe-than-sorry types.

I am sure you will have no trouble landing a really good program with those stats you have. Just make sure you act like a normal person during interviews; not to do so would be FUBAR. Good luck!

 

[twintiger32]

i think you need a dfe and oct for possible central serous...

=]

no, but seriously...just relax. it's still early. invites generally come in october, and it sounds like you have a competitive app to match.

 

[ZymarOUQID]

thanks everyone for the feedback. im really grateful that i could ask on these forums in a friendly atmosphere.

 

[Optometric MD]

Good looks is also very important. Dress nicely. At one program, the chairman oogled the pretty applicant a lot. According to rumor, she was ranked very high.

 

[Optometric MD]

Hello all

2. What are my chances of matching period? Am I out of my league to apply against AOA'ers and MD/PhD types. I'm not talking about Bascom/Wilmer, but just someplace decent (ie, like not Puerto Rico or Alabama or something)... anyplace in the Midwest, esp Chicago/Michigan places.

!

UAB in Alabama is supposed to be a very decent program! Them fightin' words? Some Chicago/Michigan places are not very good, such as Cook County. Henry Ford isn't so hot. Even University of Michigan has notable warts.

 

[BruinEye]

Wow, I have almost the same stats and publications as Zymar, and still no interviews!!! I submitted my app on sep 5th. At what point should I get nervous and what should I do? Is it worth callin places to see if they received my app? Thanks for your help!

 

[vtrain]

I sumitted my applic too a week later that you and I only received one interview along with a handful of rejections. I haven't heard anything in the past week and it's starting to freak me out too. Still though, looking at past threads, it seems like oct is where things start to really pick up and keep in mind, interview offers go until decem! At least that is what I keep telling myself. Anyways, hang in there and keep the faith. It appears we might be panicking a little prematurely.

 

[BruinEye]

Thanks for the reply and I hope you're right. It does sound like it's a little early. I guess I'm just waiting for the first interview so then I'll know I didn't have a major mistake with my app! Good luck!