Rumors about programs

[azmatti]

Hey All,
There is a lot of rumors about how programs screen the applications they receive. One of them is using board scores.

I know for sure that CaseWestern doesn't look at applicants who don't have >90 on Step 1 unless they are somehow "affiliated" with the program.

Does anyone else know of such programs??? List them...

Good luck to all.

 

[rubensan]

Hmm...I think all programs use boards scores in one way or another. Ophtho programs receive hundreds of applications per year and I believe board scores, grades, LOR, AOA status are all taken TOGETHER to screen applicants and and offer interviews to a select few. I'm not sure of any "formula" or "cut off" board score that is used to "look more closely" at certain applicants. Does that mean that there are none? No, but I don't think that dept chairs and program directors make these public and I would not take to heart any adivce that states that such and such program won't look at you
you unless you have a board score of 300. Apply to a broad range of programs and apply to the programs that you really want to go to.

Ruben

Hey All,
There is a lot of rumors about how programs screen the applications they receive. One of them is using board scores.

I know for sure that CaseWestern doesn't look at applicants who don't have >90 on Step 1 unless they are somehow "affiliated" with the program.

Does anyone else know of such programs??? List them...

Good luck to all.

 

[Andrew_Doan]

All programs screen. At Iowa, I reviewed over 500 applications. The selection committee, however, can only select ~60 for interview.

 

[azmatti]

Thanks for the replies.
I guess what I was trying to say is that there are some programs that take the 500 or so applications and screen for board scores >90 and then they read the applications more closely. They DON'T look at the complete package!!!

All programs screen. At Iowa, I reviewed over 500 applications. The selection committee, however, can only select ~60 for interview.

 

[rubensan]

azmatti,

i think you are touching on something that is very important to understand about the ophtho match and how interviews are granted; there is an element of randomness to it all. why did i get an interview at wilmer, but not at Bascom or Wash U? maybe they didn't like my picture, my board score, my near honors in general surg, or what i had to say in my personal statement; i'll never know this is why one of our moderators ALWAYS advises to apply broadly. you just never know what one program is looking for. take comfort in the fact that if you get 10 interviews, you have statistics on your side and the GREAT news is that you will probably become an ophthalmologist...no small feat. i also strongly recommend doing sub-Is at programs that you are really interested in. i think most people were granted interviews at places that they did sub-Is at...i was. if this is what you mean by somehow "being affiliated with the program" than this M.O. does and should happen. i think a lot of program directors have the mantra that it is better to go with the devil that you do know than the one you don't. one last comment, if all programs screened applications soley upon boards scores, ophthalmology would be a lot different of a field. Good luck!

Thanks for the replies.
I guess what I was trying to say is that there are some programs that take the 500 or so applications and screen for board scores >90 and then they read the applications more closely. They DON'T look at the complete package!!!

 

[marsupial]

Don't you think those programs that reject early are most likely to be screening for board scores?