transitional year question

[bre77]

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Hi y'all,
I have a quick question about scheduling. I'd like to do some research to beef up my ophthalmology application, but since I'm a fourth year, time is short. I was thinking about applying to ophthalmology next year, and this year applying to IM and doing research in the meantime. Do you guys see any drawbacks to this plan? Would I still have to do another transition year, or does it not matter whether you've applied to opthalmology before or after doing a year in medicine/surgery? If it's the same before as after, it seems to me that I'd come out with a stronger application without having lost a year. Would this would change in the order affect the way residency programs view my application? What do you guys think?

 

[rubensan]

dear bre:

I would proceed with this plan only after a lot of careful consideration. I think you need to examine what type of ophthalmology program you want to end up at. Research will definitely help you at the upper tier programs, but I'm not sure how much it will beef up your application at the lower tier, more clinical programs. Some program directors will tell you that a year of research and a less than stellar application can acutally hurt you at the lower tier programs. It has been said by some that they may not think that you really want to go to their program.

Also, you would be applying for IM for 2006-2007 correct? According to your plan, that means you would be applying for ophthalmology starting in 2008. Does that mean you will be interviewing for ophthalmogy residency during your intern year? Yes, it has been done before, but the people that I know that did said it is not ideal.

One last thing. One year of research goes by quickly. It took me two years to get a solid manuscript accepted with revisions to IOVS. The people that I know who did one year left the lab with a good ARVO poster, but a 75% completed manuscript that eventually fell by the waste side.

I know that I am not casting a lot of sunshine on your plan. There seems to be this mistaken notion that 1 year of research automatically translates into an ophthalmology residency and I just don't think that this is true. Please think about this carefully and talk to the PD at your program or some one in the know re: ophthalmology at your home school. I think time well spent in lab with a PI who is going to guide you along with everything from experimental design to data analysis and writing the manuscript will help if you want to go to a top 10 program or your home program. But make no mistake, being productive in lab requires a lot of intellectual effort, self-discipline and a little bit of luck. Remember, your goal should you elect to do research is to publish (publish or perish, right? 😉 ) in a decent peer-reviewed journal and go to ARVO.....oooh earthquake, i'll continue later.

 

[eyedr]

dear bre:

oooh earthquake, i'll continue later.

Oh man, I thought you were joking, so I went to the NY times website to check and sure enough...earthquake shakes southern california...hope you, Andrew Doan, and your familes are OK!

 

[JR]

🙂 , I was in my call room reading the Academy Series when it hit. I have not seen the official number yet; my guess is around 4.5. Nothing for us californians 😴

 

[bre77]

dear bre:

I would proceed with this plan only after a lot of careful consideration. I think you need to examine what type of ophthalmology program you want to end up at. Research will definitely help you at the upper tier programs, but I'm not sure how much it will beef up your application at the lower tier, more clinical programs. Some program directors will tell you that a year of research and a less than stellar application can acutally hurt you at the lower tier programs. It has been said by some that they may not think that you really want to go to their program.

Also, you would be applying for IM for 2006-2007 correct? That means you would be applying for ophthalmology starting in 2007. Does that mean you will be interviewing for ophthalmogy residency during your intern year? Yes, it has been done before, but the people that I know that did said it is not ideal.

One last thing. One year of research goes by quickly. It took me two years to get a solid manuscript accepted with revisions to IOVS. The people that I know who did one year left the lab with a good ARVO poster, but a 75% completed manuscript that eventually fell by the waste side.

I know that I am not casting a lot of sunshine on your plan. There seems to be this mistaken notion that 1 year of research automatically translates into an ophthalmology residency and I just don't think that this is true. Please think about this carefully and talk to the PD at your program or some one in the know re: ophthalmology at your home school. I think time well spent in lab with a PI who is going to guide you along with everything from experimental design to data analysis and writing the manuscript will help if you want to go to a top 10 program or your home program. But make no mistake, being productive in lab requires a lot of intellectual effort, self-discipline and a little bit of luck. Remember, your goal should you elect to do research is to publish (publish or perish, right? 😉 ) in a decent peer-reviewed journal and go to ARVO.....oooh earthquake, i'll continue later.

EARTHQUAKE?? -- yikes -- i hope that all is well...
Thank you so much for the information -- that is very helpful!

 

[rubensan]

🙂 , I was in my call room reading the Academy Series when it hit. I have not seen the official number yet; my guess is around 4.5. Nothing for us californians 😴

Yeah, they said 4.9 Everyone is fine. Lots of activity lately. P.S. JR, what kind of internship lets you lounge at 130PM??? Just kidding!