Question from an M1

[lookleft]

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I am an M-1 at an average med school, and have an interest in optho. I am concerned because I will probably be ranked in the middle of my class. I was wondering if I do well 2nd year and well on the boards do I still have a chance. How important is your rank? If you have good board scores, good letters, is your rank important, thanks?

What would you recommend doing this summer, I keep hearing to do research, but I was thinking about finishing up an MPH I am working on?

 

[JR]

Hey lookleft,

Welcome the the forum! First, you should look at FAQ up at the top- this will answer a lot of your q's. Then do a general ophtho thread search as all these topics have been discussed before.

Do not worry about your ranking right now. Make sure you do on Step I, it is one of the most critical factors for a successful match. Get involved with research early, try to publish a first author paper preferably with a well-known faculty. Start working on getting the LORs early (I am a big proponent of doing things early in general).

Also, make sure that at your stage you do a couple of tag-alongs with an ophthalmologist or volunteer at an ophtho clinic, etc. This will fill another slot on the application, but, more importantly, you'll find out if you really like it.

Goood luck!

I am an M-1 at an average med school, and have an interest in optho. I am concerned because I will probably be ranked in the middle of my class. I was wondering if I do well 2nd year and well on the boards do I still have a chance. How important is your rank? If you have good board scores, good letters, is your rank important, thanks?

What would you recommend doing this summer, I keep hearing to do research, but I was thinking about finishing up an MPH I am working on?