Radiology vs. ophthalmology advice

[guitarguy23]

I'm trying to nail down my specialty choice at this point and I'm kind of stuck between the two. I am competitive for both. I am a rising M4 and I'm trying to put together a schedule at this point but I really need to nail down which one I like, but I'm basically 50/50 between each. Any advice about choosing between these. Any advice on pros/cons for each that I might not have thought of? Thanks!

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[TraumaLlamaMD]

When I was stuck between two specialties, my advisor told me to figure out my least favorite aspect of each, then spend a block doing mostly that least favorite part and see which feels more like a fit. For example, if your least favorite thing about ophtho is routine diabetic eye checkups, try to rotate at a site that does lots of these.

 

[JJMrK]

What is your list of pros/cons for both?

 

[cbrons]

When I was stuck between two specialties, my advisor told me to figure out my least favorite aspect of each, then spend a block doing mostly that least favorite part and see which feels more like a fit. For example, if your least favorite thing about ophtho is routine diabetic eye checkups, try to rotate at a site that does lots of these.

Such good advice... But honestly how could you facilitate this for rads? What is the most unlikeable aspect?

 

[roteiro]

Hi there! I guess, ophthalmology is really interesting thing. I am really excited about the new technologies used in the field. Such as stem cell methods like those in the UCTC Unique Cell Treatment Clinic. It would be really great to work there, I guess

 

[Doctor Bob]

But honestly how could you facilitate this for rads? What is the most unlikeable aspect?

Sitting in a darkened room looking at films all day long...

 

[DrBowtie]

Such good advice... But honestly how could you facilitate this for rads? What is the most unlikeable aspect?

Look at every ICU portable film from that morning back to back for a few hours.

 

[DrBowtie]

OP, logistically this is easy. Schedule ophtho first followed by rads elective. Assuming it's still in the early match, you'd need to have your app together earlier and would require more ophtho letters.

Rads usually only requires 1-2 rads letters and the rest from surg or med.

 

[PL198]

Sitting in a darkened room looking at films all day long...

thats the best part. throw in some grunting and I get to be a full on cave man looking at pictures all day. talk about the life

 

[guitarguy23]

At this point I'm leaning towards ophtho given the shorter training time, mix of clinical/surgical aspects, less call, the eye is cool....

I am just concerned that I may have decided a bit late since I have no ophtho research at this point. I do have 3 basic science experiences with one resulting in a presentation. Would that be enough, or would I need a month in 4th year to get some ophtho research? Would a case report during a lighter elective (Psych) be decent?

My stats:

Step 1: 258
Preclinicals: one B+, rest A's (I know, letter grades. It's weird.)
Clinicals: B+ Family, A Peds, A Surgery (planning to do well in IM, Psych and OB of course)
Research as above.

The other thing is letters. Is it better to get an ophtho letter from my home institution or an away program?

 

[Jabbed]

At this point I'm leaning towards ophtho given the shorter training time, mix of clinical/surgical aspects, less call, the eye is cool....

I am just concerned that I may have decided a bit late since I have no ophtho research at this point. I do have 3 basic science experiences with one resulting in a presentation. Would that be enough, or would I need a month in 4th year to get some ophtho research? Would a case report during a lighter elective (Psych) be decent?

My stats:

Step 1: 258
Preclinicals: one B+, rest A's (I know, letter grades. It's weird.)
Clinicals: B+ Family, A Peds, A Surgery (planning to do well in IM, Psych and OB of course)
Research as above.

The other thing is letters. Is it better to get an ophtho letter from my home institution or an away program?

B+ in that preclinical class will probably make an ophtho match unrealistic..

 

[Baller MD]

B+ in that preclinical class will probably make an ophtho match unrealistic..

No it wouldn't.

 

[colbgw02]