To those with many interviews, what was the MAIN thing that helped get them?

[golfman]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I know there are many things that can help somebody get an interview. To those who got a bunch of interviews, what would you consider was the MAIN thing that helped you get interviews? Was it Step 1 score? Strong LOR? Phone calls in your behalf from Ophthalmologists to Residencies? Clerkship Grades? I know it is probably a combo of things, but was just wondering if there was one thing programs seemed to really focus on more than others when handing out interviews.

Also, to those who didn't get many interviews, what do you think was one of the main things that stopped you from getting more interviews?

 

[Hook17]

I know there are many things that can help somebody get an interview. To those who got a bunch of interviews, what would you consider was the MAIN thing that helped you get interviews? Was it Step 1 score? Strong LOR? Phone calls in your behalf from Ophthalmologists to Residencies? Clerkship Grades? I know it is probably a combo of things, but was just wondering if there was one thing programs seemed to really focus on more than others when handing out interviews.

Also, to those who didn't get many interviews, what do you think was one of the main things that stopped you from getting more interviews?

applying broadly is the only way to get a lot of interviews

 

[golfman]

applying broadly is the only way to get a lot of interviews

Obviously. But some that applied to 40 places get 20 interviews, and others that apply to 40 places get 3 interviews. My question was addressing those that had a high percentage of interviews from programs applied to.

 

[junkemail86]

I did fairly well with interviews, but there are much better out there. I received interviews at 24 of 38 programs, but only 5 of the top 10. My application was fairly solid all around, with all Honors and ~90th percentile Step 1 score (but nowhere near one of those high 260's) coming from a top 50 med school with a middle-tier ophtho department. I ended up only receiving interviews from the top 10 schools that are known to be more academic (Wilmer) than clinical (Wills). So, to answer your question, the thing that helped me get the top research program interviews was very strong research - over 10 publications in top clinical journals resulting from about 6 years of heavy research during college/med school (no PhD or time off for research). The two things I seemed to be lacking, which probably prevented me from getting the top clinical programs, were 'big wig' letters and a top 10 med school reputation. I had strong letters from the 2 most senior faculty in my department, neither of whom are giants in the field. In retrospect, an away rotation leading to a big name letter might have helped finish off my application.

Hope this helps future applicants.

 

[Slide]

I have nowhere close to the number of interviews other superstars on this forum have, but enough to be cautiously optimistic. From talking to other applicants and observing trends these past three months, this is what I've noted:

-Like junkemail86 said, big name letters seem to be very key to securing many interviews. A strong personal LOR is still a definite, but if you can get it from a really prominent ophthalmologist (well published, editor of a journal, trained at big name program etc.) it will open the floodgates. My interviewers have said I have good LORs but unfortunately one of my LORs is not very well known and the other was only known well in the southeast. I think that the LOR will be vital in strong clinical programs and some hybrid ones.

-Step score is important but I think people overestimate how important the actual score is. This is mainly used either as a screen or a way to determine ties for an interview. I don't think having a 250 vs 260 matters as long as you clear the cut-off. There may be a few programs that give extra weight to actual performance come rank list time, but none that I know of specifically.

-Research is key, and in the future I think that having some sort of research or a case report is going to be required getting interviews outside your geographic region or even your home institution. I have a first author clinical ophtho paper which interviewers brought up but nothing compared to the other applicants with more papers and presentations than they can count on their fingers (and toes for a few). However this may open up more academic programs rather than strong clinical ones.

-Where you're from matters. This sucks, and I don't agree with it one bit (as I'm sure many other applicants) but this is the hard fact of life. Many applicants have shared the same sentiment. If you're from the Midwest, expect lots of interviews in the Midwest and parts of Southeast. If you're from the Southeast, good luck breaking past the Mason-Dixon line or west of the Mississippi River (unless you went to Emory, Vandy, Duke, or UMiami). Northeast and West Coast schools tend to do better because they have better-known medical schools. Like junkemail86 said, where you go to medical school matters. I'm from a little-known state school (despite what everyone else says here) and I'm feeling the pain. What helped me get the few interviews outside of my region was my away rotation and that I had spent some time in the Northeast.

-Away rotation. Controversial but if you come from a program with few/no big-wigs and a small department, you HAVE to do this. Try to get it in June/July if possible because August will be cutting it too close for a LOR (you need to get your app in by early Sept). At schools with top ophtho programs some applicants don't recommend this but if you're not one of those lucky individuals there's almost no risk doing an away rotation at a good program. The reason so is that if you do very well and shine, you will get an interview you would've likely not have received otherwise. In addition, you will get to know attendings and residents well, so if you brought your A-game and did well on your rotation and interview, they may fight on your behalf. In retrospect I wish I had either done my away earlier or scheduled an additional away rotation.

-Grades. Clinical grades probably won't matter that much getting an interview. However, they may come up during an interview so don't blow off your third year to solely pursue ophthalmology.

I may be changing my tune post-match day but these are my two cents on the interview trail so far.

 

[ArtfulDodger]

I have nowhere close to the number of interviews other superstars on this forum have, but enough to be cautiously optimistic. From talking to other applicants and observing trends these past three months, this is what I've noted:

-Like junkemail86 said, big name letters seem to be very key to securing many interviews. A strong personal LOR is still a definite, but if you can get it from a really prominent ophthalmologist (well published, editor of a journal, trained at big name program etc.) it will open the floodgates. My interviewers have said I have good LORs but unfortunately one of my LORs is not very well known and the other was only known well in the southeast. I think that the LOR will be vital in strong clinical programs and some hybrid ones.

-Step score is important but I think people overestimate how important the actual score is. This is mainly used either as a screen or a way to determine ties for an interview. I don't think having a 250 vs 260 matters as long as you clear the cut-off. There may be a few programs that give extra weight to actual performance come rank list time, but none that I know of specifically.

-Research is key, and in the future I think that having some sort of research or a case report is going to be required getting interviews outside your geographic region or even your home institution. I have a first author clinical ophtho paper which interviewers brought up but nothing compared to the other applicants with more papers and presentations than they can count on their fingers (and toes for a few). However this may open up more academic programs rather than strong clinical ones.

-Where you're from matters. This sucks, and I don't agree with it one bit (as I'm sure many other applicants) but this is the hard fact of life. Many applicants have shared the same sentiment. If you're from the Midwest, expect lots of interviews in the Mideast and parts of Southeast. If you're from the Southeast, good luck breaking past the Mason-Dixon line or west of the Mississippi River (unless you went to Emory, Vandy, Duke, or UMiami). Northeast and West Coast schools tend to do better because they have better-known medical schools. Like junkemail86 said, where you go to medical school matters. I'm from a little-known state school (despite what everyone else says here) and I'm feeling the pain. What helped me get the few interviews outside of my region was my away rotation and that I had spent some time in the Northeast.

-Away rotation. Controversial but if you come from a program with few/no big-wigs and a small department, you HAVE to do this. Try to get it in June/July if possible because August will be cutting it too close for a LOR (you need to get your app in by early Sept). At schools with top ophtho programs some applicants don't recommend this but if you're not one of those lucky individuals there's almost no risk doing an away rotation at a good program. The reason so is that if you do very well and shine, you will get an interview you would've likely not have received otherwise. In addition, you will get to know attendings and residents well, so if you brought your A-game and did well on your rotation and interview, they may fight on your behalf. In retrospect I wish I had either done my away earlier or scheduled an additional away rotation.

-Grades. Clinical grades probably won't matter that much getting an interview. However, they may come up during an interview so don't blow off your third year to solely pursue ophthalmology.

I may be changing my tune post-match day but these are my two cents on the interview trail so far.

I couldn't agree more, this has been my experience exactly. I agree with everything in this post, and I'd just like to second the observation that there is both a regional bias and a bias towards more prominent medical schools. Although this bias can be overcome by a very strong application, it does present an obstacle that one should be aware of, especially if you are an "average" applicant. I also agree with the importance of LORs. If someone were to ask me the one thing they could do to maximize their chances of interviewing at a particular program, I would say get a glowing LOR from that school's faculty via away rotation or at least get one from someone who trained there (provided of course that the rest of your app isn't complete garbage). Research is also huge and clinical grades matter as well, I just wanted to comment on bias and LORs specifically.

 

[BuckleExtrusion]

Its rather simple: 99% on Step 1 and 2 and junior AOA, a few letters from ophthalmology faculty stating they recommend you with their highest recommendation and a few first author publications.

 

[BuckleExtrusion]

The glowing LOR from an away rotation may not be such a good thing. If you don't get into the away rotation program, other programs will KNOW that the away location is your first choice.

 

[DKofLV]

Its rather simple: 99% on Step 1 and 2 and junior AOA, a few letters from ophthalmology faculty stating they recommend you with their highest recommendation and a few first author publications.

Why do people keep saying 99%, etc like it's a percent correct of a percentile??? The 2 digit score is a standardization of the 3 digit score. Passing is around 180 +-5 points. This is equated to a 75 on the 2 digit scale. Given the fact around 90% of people pass the step 1/2, that means a 75 score is actually around 10th percentile...is it really that hard to understand?

 

[200UL]

There was a paper just recently published on this topic, but here is my brief list in order of importance (Number 1-3 are equal in importance):
1. Medical school strength and the strength of its ophthalmology department (where you go does matter. A strong ophthalmology department at your school will open opportunities/rotations with big-wigs. If you are not from a strong school, you must seek out opportunities to make up for this)
2. Letters of Rec - what do they say - who are they from
3. Personal Statement
4. Remainder of the application - publications, service, career goals
5. Along these same lines - are you interesting? Interesting people with interesting stories will get more invites than boring people.
6. Clinical Grades
7. USMLE - 230 and above is fine if the above is fine
8. Basic Science grades
9. AOA
10. My daddy was an ophthalmologist

 

[golfman]

There was a paper just recently published on this topic, but here is my brief list in order of importance (Number 1-3 are equal in importance):
1. Medical school strength and the strength of its ophthalmology department (where you go does matter. A strong ophthalmology department at your school will open opportunities/rotations with big-wigs. If you are not from a strong school, you must seek out opportunities to make up for this)
2. Letters of Rec - what do they say - who are they from
3. Personal Statement
4. Remainder of the application - publications, service, career goals
5. Along these same lines - are you interesting? Interesting people with interesting stories will get more invites than boring people.
6. Clinical Grades
7. USMLE - 230 and above is fine if the above is fine
8. Basic Science grades
9. AOA
10. My daddy was an ophthalmologist

Granted, I haven't been through the interview process yet, but just looking at USMLE scores for matched vs. unmatched applicants makes me think these scores are more important than some here are letting on.

 

[Slide]

There was a paper just recently published on this topic, but here is my brief list in order of importance (Number 1-3 are equal in importance):
1. Medical school strength and the strength of its ophthalmology department (where you go does matter. A strong ophthalmology department at your school will open opportunities/rotations with big-wigs. If you are not from a strong school, you must seek out opportunities to make up for this)
2. Letters of Rec - what do they say - who are they from
3. Personal Statement
4. Remainder of the application - publications, service, career goals
5. Along these same lines - are you interesting? Interesting people with interesting stories will get more invites than boring people.
6. Clinical Grades
7. USMLE - 230 and above is fine if the above is fine
8. Basic Science grades
9. AOA
10. My daddy was an ophthalmologist

The truth is in this post. Had I known this a year earlier, I definitely would have changed how I had arranged this past year and would probably have more interviews. For all you applicants, heed this advice very well.

Just as another anecdote of how important #2 is, I talked to a resident during an away rotation and she told me the obtained her interviews because the committee would see that a certain attending wrote her LOR. In fact, it basically went like this: "Oh, Dr. X wrote her a letter of rec? Give her an interview?" The committee didn't even look at the rest of her application. Ophtho is an old boys club, it's unfortunate but that's how life goes.

 

[MR1]

There was a paper just recently published on this topic, but here is my brief list in order of importance (Number 1-3 are equal in importance):
1. Medical school strength and the strength of its ophthalmology department (where you go does matter. A strong ophthalmology department at your school will open opportunities/rotations with big-wigs. If you are not from a strong school, you must seek out opportunities to make up for this)
2. Letters of Rec - what do they say - who are they from
3. Personal Statement
4. Remainder of the application - publications, service, career goals
5. Along these same lines - are you interesting? Interesting people with interesting stories will get more invites than boring people.
6. Clinical Grades
7. USMLE - 230 and above is fine if the above is fine
8. Basic Science grades
9. AOA
10. My daddy was an ophthalmologist

I agree with most of this except how high the PS is. Maybe I am wrong but I think this carries very, very little weight. Mainly can only hurt you, unless you are extremely interesting.

Med school and ophtho dept are the highest by far. If you are coming from a state school with avg ophtho dept it is extremely hard to break into a top 10 program. I didn't say impossible now just hard. LOR are huge, ophtho is a small world. For fellowship, LOR are everything in my opinion.

Step1 and maybe step 2 are mainly screeing guidelines in my opinion. Programs all have cut offs and I think this is where these come in, so yes they are important if you didn't get above the cut off. 230s are adequate for most good programs, 240s needed for bigger ones and probably 250 needed for the top 10 or so.

My thoughts
#1 name of program you are at
#2 LOR
#3 step 1
#4 research

then everything else is filler, ie might end up being a tie breaker between you and someone very similar.

 

[azzarah]

The reputation of the ophthalmology department at my medical school.

My med school grades weren't that hot. My step 1 scores were above avg. I was told repeatedly on interviews that I had great letters. I had almost no ophtho researh experience (but had research in other fields).